How established festivals treat AI
Two established events on the register show the two main positions. Sundance places no restriction on AI but requires every use to be disclosed. From 3 source pages, read 2026-09-25; no maker pays to be listed.
The Academy does not ban generative AI but requires human-authored screenplays and human performers, and may ask how AI was used.
Neither treats AI as a category of its own; both judge the film and ask for honesty about its making.
For an AI filmmaker aiming at mainstream festivals, the disclosure and the human contribution are what need preparing.
| Festival | Rule | What the rules say |
|---|---|---|
| Sundance Film Festival | AI use | No restrictions on the use of AI |
| Sundance Film Festival | Tool disclosure | Any use of AI must be disclosed; failing to disclose can disqualify a project |
| Academy Awards | AI use | Screenplays must be human-authored; acting roles must be performed by humans with consent |
| Academy Awards | Tool disclosure | The Academy may ask for more information about generative AI use and human authorship |
Inclusion rule. Readings from the register cited on this page. Order. The order they are discussed in.
1The wording in the rules
We do not currently have any restrictions surrounding the usage of Artificial Intelligence technology.
Sundance Institute, 2027 submissions FAQ
It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to disclose any usage or utilization of Artificial Intelligence (“A.I.”) in the making of any or all projects submitted to the Institute for Festival consideration.
Sundance Institute, 2027 rules and regulations
In the Writing categories, the rules codify that screenplays must be human-authored to be eligible.
Academy Press Office, 99th Oscars rules release
the Academy reserves the right to request more information about the nature of the use and human authorship.
Academy Press Office, 99th Oscars rules release
- FAQ 12No restrictions on the use of AI
- Rule 24Any use of AI must be disclosed; failing to disclose can disqualify a project
- Rules summaryScreenplays must be human-authored; acting roles must be performed by humans with consent
- Rule TwoThe Academy may ask for more information about generative AI use and human authorship
2The making side of an entry
For an entrant reading “How established festivals treat AI”, this is what SceneMixer publishes about the film its pipeline hands over:
SceneMixer writes dialogue into the script analysis, assigns each line to a shot with a speaker and a short delivery note, and the video model performs it — picture and audio generated together, so the mouth forms that sentence in the language you chose.
SceneMixer, AI Dialogue Generator (read 2026-10-13)
A micro drama (vertical drama) is a serialized show of 60–120 second episodes shot for phones.
SceneMixer, The AI Micro Drama Production Pipeline (read 2026-10-13)