UAE opens submissions for $1m AI Film Award backed by Google Gemini

Submissions for the award will remain open until 20 November 2025.

The 1 Billion Followers Summit, a flagship global gathering dedicated to shaping the content creator economy, has announced details of reportedly the world’s largest AI Film Award, valued at $1m. The initiative, launched in partnership with Google Gemini, will debut during the Summit taking place in Dubai from January 9 to 11, 2026.

Organised by the UAE Government Media Office, the award aims to promote the production of meaningful, impactful short films by integrating artificial intelligence into the creative process. The launch reflects the growing influence of short films as a powerful medium to deliver resonant messages and connect with wide audiences.

The 2026 edition of the Summit will bring together over 400 speakers with a combined following of more than 3bn, alongside an expected 30,000 visitors from 140 countries, including 15,000 content creators. The event is notable for its participation of every active social media platform. Complementing its core programming, the Summit will also feature a Creator’s Market showcasing over 100 startups, as well as the Creators Ventures accelerator, which is set to invest more than AED50m ($13.61m) to help creators build sustainable businesses.

Submissions for the AI Film Award are open until November 20, 2025. Films must be between seven and ten minutes long and at least 70% AI-generated, with entrants required to use Google Gemini tools such as Imagen, Veo and Flow, along with third-party applications that integrate Gemini technology. While additional editing tools may be used, they cannot replace core video generation. Entries must explore one of two themes: “Rewrite Tomorrow,” envisioning the future in an inspirational way, or “The Secret Life of,” uncovering hidden stories within everyday life.

Films will be judged on storytelling, creativity, integration of AI, execution and thematic depth. A shortlist of 10 films will be announced in December 2025 for public voting, after which the top five will be revealed on January 3, 2026. These films will be screened at the Summit, culminating in the announcement of the $1m grand prize winner on January 11.

Saeed Al Eter, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Projects and Chairman of the UAE Government Media Office, said: “The 1 Billion Followers Summit has grown to become a key global event in supporting talent, developing advanced skills, and fostering investments in the Creator Economy.”

Al Eter stated: “The UAE reinforces its global leadership today with the launch of this award, demonstrating its commitment to establishing itself as a world-leading hub for innovation and technology. A pioneer in the field, the UAE was the world’s first nation to appoint a Minister of Artificial Intelligence. Now ranked third globally in attracting specialised AI talent, the nation has proactively integrated AI into its education system, teaching it as a core subject from kindergarten through 12th grade. This move underscores the UAE’s strategic vision of empowering the next generation with future skills.”

He added: “This award launches at a pivotal moment marked by rapid transformation in film, visual production, and content creation. Creativity is no longer confined to large studios and massive budgets, as anyone with a mobile device and a vibrant imagination can now create. Artificial intelligence will further amplify human creativity, enabling us to tell more stories, connect with larger audiences, and inspire billions around the globe.”

Anthony Nakache, Google’s Managing Director in the Middle East & North Africa, commented: ‘At Google, we believe AI should amplify creativity and support creators. We want Google Gemini to give every aspiring storyteller, regardless of their budget or available equipment, the power of our advanced models to bring ideas to life. This includes Veo, our state-of-the-art model for generating videos, and Imagen, for generating images, along with many other tools and features. We are very excited about the AI Film Award, and can’t wait to announce the winning film in January.”

The award is open to all active social media content creators worldwide, with submissions accepted in any language, provided they include English subtitles. Participants must ensure high technical standards, including clear audio mixes, accurate lip-syncing, strong sound design and professional editing. Entrants must also disclose the AI models and tools used in production, and provide open project files if requested.

Sources: www.broadcastprome.com