Dubai Launches $1-Million AI Short Film Award Ahead of 1 Billion Followers Summit
- Staff Writer
- Sep 23
- 2 min read
Dubai has officially kicked off registration for the world’s most lucrative AI-focused short film competition, offering a staggering $1-million prize to a single visionary content creator. Open now through November 20, 2025, this AI film award in Dubai invites storytellers worldwide to harness Google Gemini tools—Veo, Imagen, and Flow—to craft seven-to-ten-minute films that push the boundaries of imagination.
Rewrite Tomorrow and The Secret Life Of…
Participants can choose between two inspiring themes. “Rewrite Tomorrow” challenges filmmakers to envision optimistic futures driven by AI, while “The Secret Life Of…” uncovers untold stories brought to life through generative technology. Submissions must be under one individual’s name (teams can support production), and at least 70 percent of each film must be generated with Gemini tools, ensuring ethical AI storytelling and technical excellence.
Key Dates & Process
Submissions Open: September 23, 2025
Deadline: November 20, 2025
Top 10 Shortlist: December 5, 2025
Public Voting: December 10–15, 2025
Top 5 Premiere: January 10, 2026
Winner Announced: January 11, 2026
Creators will upload unlisted YouTube videos with English subtitles and register via the summit’s website. A public vote on the shortlist underscores the event’s emphasis on audience engagement and democratized creativity.
Judging Criteria
Entries will be evaluated on four core pillars:
Storytelling: Compelling narrative structure, character development, dialogue, and emotional impact.
Creativity & Aesthetics: Consistency in visual style, originality, cinematic quality, and innovative use of facial expressions.
Technical Execution: Sound design, subtitle clarity, and smooth transitions.
Ethical AI Use: Transparency about AI tools used, unbiased content, and accessibility of open files when requested.
Why Dubai’s AI Short Film Award Matters
This groundbreaking initiative reflects the UAE’s strategic commitment to nurturing AI creativityand democratizing filmmaking. From introducing AI in schools to appointing the world’s first Minister of State for AI in 2017, the UAE continues to foster global innovation. As Saeed Al Eter, Chairman of the UAE Media Council, stated, “A kid in Africa with just a laptop and the right tools can produce a movie that moves hearts and minds.”
Organized during the 1 Billion Followers Summit—which runs January 9–11, 2026, across Jumeirah Emirates Towers, DIFC, and the Museum of the Future—the award complements Creators Ventures, a Dh50-million acceleration program, and the Creators Market pavilion showcasing emerging startups.
Amplify Your Creativity with Gemini
Najeeb Jarrar, Regional Director at Google, Middle East & Africa, emphasizes that while AI powers the process, the creator remains the director. “You control the visual expression, angles, and atmosphere. AI doesn’t replace creativity; it amplifies it.” Filmmakers are encouraged to be descriptive with prompts to unlock Gemini’s full potential.
Don’t miss your chance to redefine cinematic storytelling—register now for Dubai’s AI film award and become part of a global movement showcasing the future of content creation.
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