DUBAI: Content creators across the world have been invited to submit short films — powered by at least 70 percent artificial intelligence using Google Gemini’s tools — for a chance to win a $1 million prize.
The prize is part of the global AI film contest, launched last month in partnership with Dubai’s 1 Billion Followers Summit. Details of the competition, which officially opened for submissions on Tuesday, were unveiled at a press conference in Dubai.
The competition aims to highlight the growing impact of short films in delivering powerful narratives, showcasing the role of emerging technologies such as AI in enabling creative storytelling and filmmaking.
It also aims to demonstrate how AI can lower the high costs traditionally associated with film production, empowering aspiring filmmakers to create their own content using minimal equipment.
Anthony Nakache, Google’s managing director in the Middle East and North Africa, noted that Gemini aims to give every aspiring storyteller advanced models to bring their ideas to life, regardless of their budget or available equipment. Gemini tools include Veo, a state-of-the-art model for generating videos, and Imagen, for generating images.
“We believe AI should amplify creativity and support creators,” added Nakache.
Saeed Al-Eter, chair of the UAE Government Media Office, which organizes the 1 Billion Followers Summit, said: “Creativity is no longer confined to large studios and massive budgets, as anyone with a mobile device and a vibrant imagination can now create. When human imagination is paired with the right technological tools, it can produce powerful films that inspire, resonate emotionally, and move hearts and minds.”
The competition, which accepts applications until Nov. 20, is open to individual creators across the world aged 18 and above who actively publish content on social media. Submissions can be in any language as long as English subtitles are provided.
Submissions must be short films between seven and 10 minutes in length, and fall under one of two themes: “Rewrite Tomorrow” or “The Secret Life Of.” The first theme invites filmmakers to imagine how the future would look in a positive perspective, while the second explores hidden stories and unseen realities that go beyond the capabilities of traditional filmmaking and can be brought to life through AI tools and techniques.
Eligible films must be created using at least 70 percent AI, specifically Google Gemini’s models — including Veo, Imagen, and Flow — or third-party platforms that run on Gemini’s technology.
“This means that creators can utilize real-life shot images if it helps the storytelling that they are creating, but the majority of the film needs to be through AI,” said Najeeb Jarrar, Google’s regional product and marketing director for the Middle East and Africa.
However, participants are allowed to use other tools for post-production editing such as sound balancing, visual stabilization, and minor adjustments.
A jury comprising technology experts and filmmakers will assess the submissions based on storytelling, technical execution, originality, creativity, visual aesthetics, and the ethical application of AI models.
Evaluation criteria will include character development, narrative structure, dialogue or monologue quality, emotional impact, and the innovative use of facial expressions and cinematic techniques, as well as smooth scene transitions.
The public will also play a role in selecting the winning entry from the top 10 shortlisted films, chosen by the expert jury across various genres including drama, thriller, romance and action. Public voting will be open from Dec. 10 to 15.
The top five AI-generated short films will be screened during the fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, scheduled to take place next year in Dubai from Jan. 9 to 11. The winner of the $1 million grand prize will be announced on the summit’s final day.
Jarrar said the contest captured the evolution of AI adoption in filmmaking, and added: “When Gemini first launched, it was helping content creators brainstorm, write scripts, and create stories. Now, the tools within Gemini help them create content that is not there just with a simple prompt.”
Asked how organizers would verify the entries had been produced by Gemini, Jarrar said they would use Google tools to authenticate the type of AI used in the film. Shortlisted participants may also be required to submit their prompt history and all the working files that they may have used to create the film.
Participants can submit their short films on YouTube as an unlisted link and add it to the official website https://www.1billionsummit.com/ai-film-award along with their personal information.
Held under the theme “Content for Good,” the 1 Billion Followers Summit brings together top content creators, leading tech firms, industry experts, and entrepreneurs as part of efforts to drive the growing content economy. The upcoming edition aims to host 400 speakers and over 15,000 creators with a total of 3 billion followers.
As part of the summit, a 10-week accelerator program titled Creators Ventures — which is open for applications until Oct. 3 — invites content creators and creative entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas for a chance to receive mentorship, production tools, and business development support to scale their growth. The program aims to invest over $13.6 million in supporting creators.
