Rules of Sundance Film Festival and World AI Film Festival
The rules of the Sundance Film Festival and the World AI Film Festival differ on 6 of the eight items: AI-use rules, tool disclosure, running-time limits, entry costs, screenings and rights terms. From 3 source pages, read 2026-09-25; no maker pays to be listed.
| Rule | Sundance Film Festival | World AI Film Festival |
|---|---|---|
| What the rules ask of AI | AI allowed without limits | A set minimum of AI use |
| Saying which tools were used | Disclose any AI use | A production file |
| Running time allowed | None in the rules read | A minimum and a maximum |
| Cost of entry | Fees by deadline | None in the rules read |
| Latest deadline | Closed on the reading day | Closed on the reading day |
| Where winners are shown | A festival run | An awards ceremony |
| What the entrant keeps or grants | None in the rules read | Entrant keeps copyright |
| Prizes | None in the rules read | None in the rules read |
Inclusion rule. The eight rules every festival on the register is read for. Order. The order rules take on every festival page.
1Where the rules part
Only the rules of the Sundance Film Festival cover entry costs. Only the rules of the World AI Film Festival cover running-time limits and rights terms. Their AI-use rules part: AI allowed without limits for the Sundance Film Festival, a set minimum of AI use for the World AI Film Festival. Their tool disclosure part: disclose any AI use for the Sundance Film Festival, a production file for the World AI Film Festival. Their deadlines agree: closed on the reading day. Their screenings part: a festival run for the Sundance Film Festival, an awards ceremony for the World AI Film Festival. Neither set of rules covers prizes.
2In each festival's own words
What the rules ask of AI
We do not currently have any restrictions surrounding the usage of Artificial Intelligence technology.
Sundance Institute, 2027 submissions FAQ
must use at least three generative A.I. tools , including one for image creation. Hybrid live-action and AI films are welcome.
World AI Film Festival, competitions page
Cost of entry
We encourage you to submit your project as early as possible to take advantage of lower submission fees.
Sundance Institute, 2027 submissions FAQ
The rules of the World AI Film Festival say nothing on this.
Where winners are shown
The 2027 Sundance Film Festival will take place in Boulder, Colorado from January 21 to January 31, 2027.
Sundance Institute, 2027 submissions FAQ
Announcement of winners: April 22, 2026, during the awards ceremony in Cannes.
World AI Film Festival, 2026 rules
- FAQ 12No restrictions on the use of AI
- Competition rulesAt least three generative AI tools, one of them for images; hybrid live action welcome
- FAQ 1Entry fees that rise from the early to the late deadline
- FAQ 32Festival in Boulder, Colorado, January 21 to 31, 2027
- Article 2Winners announced at an awards ceremony in Cannes on April 22, 2026
3Producing the entry with AI
For an entrant reading “Sundance Film Festival and World AI Film Festival”, this is what SceneMixer publishes about the film its pipeline hands over:
You can recomposite with different end-card text, and in step-by-step mode you can reshoot individual segments. The finished file can also be downloaded and shared with a link.
SceneMixer, How to Make an Ad from One Photo — “Can I change the ad after it is finished?” (read 2026-10-13)
Video is 16:9 landscape by default, with 9:16 vertical available; you set it once per project. Segments are typically 4 to 15 seconds, and some model tiers go to 30.
SceneMixer, AI Short Drama Generator — “What length and aspect ratio does it output?” (read 2026-10-13)