Dubai has officially opened the submission for the largest dedicated awards in the world for the AI short film award. Notably, it could offer a record-breaking $1 million. In addition, the winner will be announced during the 1 Billion Followers Summit in January 2026.
Global AI Short Film Award Competition Opens
The UAE government media office announced the award on Tuesday at Creators HQ in Emirates Towers. Moreover, the submissions are open throughout the world until November 20, 2025. However, creators are required to produce 7 to 10-minute films using a minimum of 70% AI-generated content through the Google Gemini tools, like Veo, Imagen, and Flow.
The following are the creative themes of this award:
- Rewrite Tomorrow – exploring positive future possibilities.
- The Secret Life of – revealing untold or hidden stories brought to life through AI.
Submission Guidelines
The award is open only to individual content creators who are active on social media. Moreover, you can submit in any language, but you must include English subtitles. However, entries should be uploaded as unlisting YouTube videos and registered via the official summit website.
Creators like you are allowed to submit multiple films across different genres. However, the tram can support production. Moreover, the submission must be under one individual’s name.
The AI Short Film Award 2025 is not only a milestone for creators but also a reflection of how innovation is shaping the UAE’s future. With strong government support, the country continues to merge creativity, technology, and education to empower the next generation of storytellers. This initiative ties closely with the progress in UAE education, where schools and universities are integrating AI and digital skills into their curriculum.
For residents and newcomers tracking the latest news in Dubai, this competition shows how the city is positioning itself as a global hub for culture and innovation. Whether you are a creator or someone moving to UAE for new opportunities, events like this highlight the exciting possibilities waiting here.
The award also connects to the broader lifestyle of UAE living, where tradition and modernity meet. From world-class events to groundbreaking competitions, Dubai continues to inspire global communities by proving that technology can amplify human creativity while staying rooted in cultural values.
Selection Criteria
Najeeb Jarrar, Google’s Regional Director, revealed the film will be judged on the four pillars mentioned below:
- Storytelling – narrative strength, dialogue, and emotional depth.
- Creativity & Aesthetics – originality, cinematic quality, and consistency in style.
- Technical Execution – sound, editing, and transitions.
- Ethical AI Use – transparency, responsible AI application, and unbiased storytelling.
Furthermore, Jarrar highlights, “AI doesn’t replace the creativity – it amplifies it. The creators are the director who shapes vision, tone, and atmosphere. “
Key Dates
- September 23, 2025 – Submissions open
- November 20, 2025 – Deadline for entries
- December 5, 2025 – Top 10 shortlist revealed
- December 10–15, 2025 – Public voting
- January 10, 2026 – Premiere of the top five films
- January 11, 2026 – Winner announced
UAE’s Vision for AI & Creativity
Saeed Al Eter, Chairman of the UAE Media Council, highlighted the award as the commitment of the UAE to AI innovation. He said, “A child in Africa with only a laptop can now create a film that motivates the world.”The campaign also aligns with the theme of the summit, “Summit for Good”. Hence, it showcases AI as a powerful tool for storytelling, creativity, and global impact.
The summit will take place from January 9–11, 2026, across Emirates Towers, DIFC, and the Museum of the Future. Moreover, it would bring together 400+ speakers with a combined audience of over 3 billion followers.
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