Short answer: festivals do not share one rule for AI-made films. Some have dedicated AI categories, some accept AI work in regular sections with disclosure, and some restrict it. Before submitting, read each festival’s current rules, prepare a clear statement of how AI was used, credit the human team properly, and deliver files to the festival’s technical specification.
Read the rules for each festival
Policies change from edition to edition, so rely on the festival’s own submission page, not on summaries. Look for three things: whether AI-generated imagery is allowed, whether a disclosure is required, and whether there are rules about training data or likeness.
Write an honest disclosure
A short production note — which parts were generated, which were written, directed, edited, scored and mixed by people — does more for a film than vagueness. Programmers see many AI submissions; clarity about authorship and craft is a strength.
Credits
List the human roles as you would on any film: writer, director, editor, sound, music, colour. Name tools in a technical credit if you wish, but authorship belongs to the people who made the decisions.
Rights and likeness
Music, voices and any real person’s likeness need clearances like on any production. Festivals may ask for chain-of-title documents.
Technical delivery
- A high-quality screening master in the format the festival requests (many accept ProRes or high-bitrate H.264; some require a DCP).
- Subtitle files, usually separate SRT files for different languages.
- A screener link, stills, a synopsis and a director’s statement.
From our experience
Our short THYMOS was finished as a 4K master with its production data documented, which makes this kind of paperwork straightforward. See our AI film production page for how we deliver.
Frequently asked questions
Do film festivals accept AI films?
Many do, but policies differ by festival and edition. Always check the current submission rules of each festival.
Do I have to disclose AI use?
Where a festival asks, yes — and a clear, honest production note is good practice even where it does not.
What files do festivals need?
Usually a screening master or DCP, subtitle files, a screener link, stills, synopsis and director’s statement. The exact specs are on each festival’s site.