A film submitted to the AI Created category should be an original film conceived, edited, and rendered using generative Artificial Intelligence tools (such as text-to-video, AI voice synthesis, and generative visual assets) or a hybrid combination of live-action footage and AI enhancements under the active creative direction and prompting of the student (no more than 5 minutes in length, not including credits).

AI Created

Judging of all films will be conducted by an outside third party, and the linked rubric above will be used to score each film, based on the following description.

Judging Information - Content and Impact portion criteria:

Prompt Engineering & Creative Direction — Displays intentional human direction through refined prompting, iterative generation, and cohesive artistic vision.

Student filmmakers should demonstrate active creative leadership through prompt design, iterative prompt refinement, and thoughtful artistic curation. The submission should reflect a deliberate narrative or thematic concept rather than unguided, default AI output. Judges should evaluate how effectively the student guided the AI tools to achieve a unified vision.

Story & Structure — Tells a compelling, cohesive story or presents a clear concept with structured progression.

The submission must maintain narrative or thematic clarity. Student filmmakers should ensure that generated or hybrid scenes flow logically with a clear introduction (exposition), central concept or conflict, rising action, and resolution. The film should avoid feeling like an unedited showcase of disconnected AI clips.

Originality & Ethics — Demonstrates original artistic vision while adhering to ethical AI creation standards.

Submissions should feature original world-building, characters, and concepts. Filmmakers must strictly refrain from generating copyrighted characters, trademarked logos, or the non-consensual likenesses of real individuals (deepfakes). Creativity should shine through unique prompt combinations, novel visual storytelling, and fresh ideas.

Technical Cohesion & Asset Integration — Successfully integrates AI assets and/or live-action elements into a seamless final film.

Students should carefully curate generated images, video clips, voice synthesizers, and audio tracks. Unintentional visual artifacts, morphing glitches, or jumbled voice tracks should be minimized through editing or intentional style selection. Voiceovers and sound elements should align cleanly with visual pacing.

BEFORE YOU SUBMIT

Use this checklist to be sure you have completed all requirements:

1) Was my film created AFTER last year's Film Festival submission date of March 6, 2026?

2) Is this the only film I'm submitting to THIS category?

3) Does my film meet the time limit requirements for THIS category (not including credits)?

4) Is my film appropriate for a K-12 school event?

5) Did I, or another student, do ALL the work on this film (brainstorming the idea, determining the structure, recording each shot, and editing the final product)?

Note: For K-2 students, teachers may offer direct guidance with these tasks; however, ultimately, the students are responsible for completing them.

6) Am I submitting my film to the correct category and division?

7) Did I include ALL required information in the film's credits (writer, director, actors, videographer, editor, cite all music and images, editing program)?

8) Did I verify none of the music I used in my film is copyrighted?

9) Does my film adhere to the Film Festival's AI policy?

For AI Created films, do your credits include:

a) Tool Inventory: List the software and what specific job it handled (Script, Visuals, Voice, Music, VFX).

b) Prompt & Workflow Highlight: Share 1 or 2 actual prompts used and describe how the student corrected or edited the output.

c) Asset Breakdown (Hybrid vs. Generated): Clearly distinguish what was filmed in real life vs. what was computer-generated.

If you answered "No" to any of the above questions, you should revisit that section before submitting, otherwise your film is subject to disqualification.