Generative video as a festival requirement
Generative video is footage created by an AI model from text, images or other inputs, as opposed to footage shot with a camera and edited with AI help. From 4 source pages, read 2026-09-25; no maker pays to be listed.
The Runway AI Festival asks that a film include generative video, and its rules add that the footage should come from tools similar to Runway's own models.
The African AI Film Festival describes its short film category as narrative fiction brought to life with generative tools; Astana wants generative AI integral to the film, not only used for effects or upscaling.
A festival that asks for generative video is drawing a line between films that use AI to make images and films that use it only to finish them.
Entrants with a mostly live-action film should check this rule before any other.
| Festival | Rule | What the rules say |
|---|---|---|
| Runway AI Festival | AI use | The film must include generative video |
| Runway AI Festival | AI use | Generated video should come from tools similar to Runway's own models |
| African AI Film Festival | AI use | Short films are narrative fiction brought to life with generative tools |
| Astana AI Film Festival | AI use | Generative AI must be integral, not only effects or upscaling |
Inclusion rule. Readings from the register cited on this page. Order. The order they are discussed in.
1The wording in the rules
Includes the use of generative video within the film.
Runway AI Festival, 2026 page
AI generated video content should use tools similar to Runway's Gen-4.5, Act-Two, Gen-3 Alpha, Gen-3 Alpha Turbo, Gen-2, or Gen-1.
Runway AI Festival, official rules for film
AI Short Film Narrative fiction brought to life with generative tools.
African AI Film Festival, home page
Generative AI must be integral to creation — not only VFX or upscaling.
Astana AI Film Festival, home page
- Submission criteriaThe film must include generative video
- How to enterGenerated video should come from tools similar to Runway's own models
- CategoriesShort films are narrative fiction brought to life with generative tools
- Rules of admissionGenerative AI must be integral, not only effects or upscaling
2Producing the entry with AI
For an entrant reading “Generative video”, this is what SceneMixer publishes about the film its pipeline hands over:
A serialized vertical-video show (typically 60–120 seconds per episode, 9:16) where the cast, scenes, and footage are AI-generated.
SceneMixer, The AI Micro Drama Production Pipeline — “What is an AI micro drama?” (read 2026-10-13)
Seedance 2.0 (ByteDance's video model family) is one of the strongest engines for vertical short drama in 2026.
SceneMixer, Seedance 2.0 in a Real Short-Drama Pipeline (read 2026-10-13)