Filmmakers worldwide can compete for $1 million by creating an original short film with Seedance, with entries closing November 20, 2026.
A doll belonging to his daughter became the inspiration behind a million-dollar film. In January 2026, Tunisian filmmaker Zoubeir Jlassi won the inaugural AI Film Award for Lily, a nine-minute story about a man haunted by guilt after a hit-and-run accident. Created using Google’s generative AI tools, the film stood out among approximately 3,500 submissions for its emotional storytelling.
Now, the 1 Billion AI Film Award 2027 is inviting creators worldwide to compete for another $1 million grand prize. Organized as part of the 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai, the competition requires an original five-to-seven-minute film made primarily with Dreamina Seedance.
The winner will be announced on January 10, 2027, but getting there requires more than generating impressive visuals. Filmmakers must meet specific creative, technical, and judging requirements.
What Does It Take to Win the AI Film Award 2027?
Jlassi’s success offers a useful starting point. Lily followed a character struggling with guilt and ultimately choosing to confront his actions. The film’s technology supported a story built around recognizable human emotions.
For 2027, the organizers have published four judging criteria:
| Judging Criteria | Weight |
|---|---|
| AI Integration | 30% |
| Storytelling | 30% |
| Creativity & Aesthetics | 20% |
| Technical Execution | 20% |
Storytelling and AI integration account for 60% of the total score, placing equal importance on narrative quality and how effectively filmmakers use the technology.
A strong entry should give audiences a character to follow, a conflict they understand, and an ending that feels earned. Consistent visuals, thoughtful editing, and clear sound can help bring that story together.
These are practical considerations based on the published criteria, rather than a guaranteed formula for winning.
How Seedance Will Shape the 2027 Competition
The previous award centered on Google’s Gemini video-generation tools. This year, Dreamina Seedance, developed by ByteDance, takes their place, with BytePlus serving as the technology partner and TikTok supporting the competition.
Under the official rules, at least 70% of each film must be generated using Seedance. Other AI applications and conventional editing tools can support production.
Seedance can generate video sequences from prompts and visual references, allowing filmmakers to create characters, environments, and scenes before assembling them into a complete film.
Creators can choose from five storytelling themes: Society, Community & Humanitarian Issues; Truth, Fake News & Misinformation; Humans & AI; Climate, Nature & Our Changing Planet; and Human Relationships.
Each theme offers room for different genres and creative approaches, provided the film tells one complete, original story.
Who Can Enter and How to Submit a Film?
The competition is free to enter and open to filmmakers aged 18 or older worldwide, subject to eligibility restrictions. Participants may submit multiple original films, provided each has a separate application.
Every entry must meet the following requirements:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Film Duration | 5-7 minutes |
| AI Technology | At least 70% generated with Seedance |
| Video Format | 16:9 horizontal, minimum 1080p |
| File Type | MOV or MP4 |
| Language | Any language with English subtitles |
| Content | Original, previously unreleased, general-audience film |
Applicants must also include the organizer-provided introduction before their film.
How to Apply
The official submission process has four steps: provide personal information, submit film details and a private or unlisted viewing link, disclose the AI tools used, and review the completed application.
Filmmakers should retain prompts, generation histories, editing files, and relevant licensing records. The organizers may request these materials to verify originality and compliance with the Seedance requirement.
Entries must be submitted through the official AI Film Award 2027 submission portal by November 20, 2026.
When Will the $1 Million Winner Be Announced?
After submissions close, an expert committee will select the Top 10 films on December 15, when public voting also begins. Five finalists will be announced on December 25, with their films scheduled to premiere at the 1 Billion Followers Summit on January 9, 2027.
The grand-prize winner will be revealed the following day.
The official terms also contain important conditions. Creators retain whatever ownership rights applicable law recognizes, while granting the organizers a non-exclusive license for award-related screenings and promotion. Prize payment is subject to eligibility and identity verification, and the winner is responsible for applicable taxes.
The next milestone comes on December 15, when the shortlisted films will offer the first indication of how this year’s filmmakers have combined their own stories with Seedance.
Jlassi’s winning idea began with his daughter’s doll. For the next group of contenders, the challenge is finding a story that can stay with an audience long after the final scene.