Dubai has commenced submissions for the world’s premier award for AI-generated short films, offering a $1-million prize at the 1 Billion Followers Summit in January 2026. The deadline for entries is November 20.
Filmmakers are invited to submit short films between seven and ten minutes long, with a minimum of 70% of the content created using Google Gemini’s AI tools like Veo, Imagen, and Flow. The films should align with one of two themes:
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Rewrite Tomorrow (stories that envision a positive future)
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The Secret Life Of (stories that AI can vividly bring to light)
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The announcement was made on Tuesday at Creators HQ in Emirates Towers, attended by Saeed Al Eter, Chairman of the UAE Media Council; Alia Al Hammadi, Deputy Chairman of the UAE Government Media Office and Director of the Billion Followers Summit; and Najeeb Jarrar, Regional Director of Product and Marketing at Google, Middle East and Africa.
“This award marks a new era of what is possible when creativity intersects with AI,” stated Al Hammadi. “We aim to see narratives that transcend traditional production, realized through AI.”
The award is open to global participants, but only individual content creators actively engaged on social media are eligible. Entries must be submitted under an individual’s name, although team collaborations are allowed. Creators can submit multiple films, across various genres.
Entries can be in any language but must include English subtitles. Participants are required to upload their films as unlisted videos on YouTube and register through the summit’s website.
Selection Criteria
According to Jarrar, submissions will be assessed based on four main criteria:
Storytelling: A well-defined narrative structure, character development, dialogue or monologue, and emotional resonance.
Creativity and Aesthetics: Originality of the concept, consistency in visual style and tone, cinematic quality, and innovative use of facial expressions.
Technical Execution: High sound quality, accurate subtitles, and seamless transitions.
Ethical Use of AI: Transparency about the AI tools used, avoidance of biased or misleading content, and readiness to provide open files upon request.
“Our goal is for AI to enhance creativity and empower creators,” Jarrar emphasized. “This award offers storytellers the opportunity to broaden their creative horizons with Gemini and share their visions with the world.”
He added, “The more detailed your prompts, the better the results.” He stressed that despite AI involvement, the creator remains the director. “You control the visual storytelling, angles, and mood. AI enhances creativity but doesn’t replace it.”
Timeline
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September 23, 2025 – Submissions open
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November 20, 2025 – Submission deadline
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December 5, 2025 – Top 10 shortlist announced
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December 10–15, 2025 – Public voting on shortlisted films
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January 10, 2026 – Premiere of the top five films at the summit
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January 11, 2026 – $1-million prize winner announced
Al Hammadi confirmed that the top ten films will undergo a public vote in December. “We aim to engage audiences,” she remarked. “The top five will debut on January 10, with the winner revealed the following day.”
Significance of the Award
Al Eter underscored the UAE’s commitment to AI, from educational initiatives to appointing the first Minister of State for AI in 2017. “The UAE is a natural hub for such a global initiative,” he said. “This award signals that creativity is available to everyone. A young creator in Africa with a laptop and the right tools can create a film that resonates worldwide.”
Organizers noted that the award aligns with the summit’s ‘Content for Good’ theme, highlighting the impact of short films in conveying powerful messages and the role of technology in fostering new creative expressions.
Jarrar emphasized that the competition builds on Google’s extensive AI work. “AI has been integral to nearly every Google product for 25 years, from Google Translate to Gmail filters to Search results,” he noted.
“In recent years, we’ve brought AI closer to users. With the launch of Bard, now Gemini, we have been excited to see how creators employ it, from brainstorming and scriptwriting to full story creation. Through this award, we aim to demonstrate what’s possible when creativity merges with Gemini’s tools.”
He confirmed that films must primarily use Gemini as the AI engine. “You may incorporate live footage to enhance your story and use other tools for editing or sound, but the majority of the film must be generated through Gemini.”
Additional Announcements
The summit will also feature Creators Ventures, a Dh50-million business-building and acceleration programme to support content entrepreneurs, and a Creators Market pavilion showcasing startups.
The 1 Billion Followers Summit, organized by the UAE Government Media Office, will occur from January 9 to 11, 2026, at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre, and the Museum of the Future. Over 400 speakers are expected, with a combined outreach of more than three billion followers.
