Hybrid films: live action mixed with AI

A hybrid film combines footage shot with a camera and material generated with AI. Festivals differ on whether and how they count one. From 4 source pages, read 2026-09-25; no maker pays to be listed.

WAIFF in Cannes welcomes hybrid live-action and AI films, while still asking for at least three generative tools. Reply says a film does not have to be fully AI-generated. The AI for Good Film Festival takes work generated or enhanced with AI.

Sundance, which is not an AI festival, puts no limit on AI use at all but wants every use disclosed.

Hybrid work is where most professional films sit, which is why the wording matters: enhanced, part of the process and integral mean different amounts of AI.

The safest reading of a vague rule is to describe exactly what was done and let the festival decide.

Inclusion rule. Readings from the register cited on this page. Order. The order they are discussed in.

1The wording in the rules

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

It’s not required for your short film to be 100% AI-generated.

Reply AI Film Festival, how it works

submit original works that are generated or enhanced using AI tools

AI for Good Film Festival, ITU page

We do not currently have any restrictions surrounding the usage of Artificial Intelligence technology.

Sundance Institute, 2027 submissions FAQ

• Competition rules
  At least three generative AI tools, one of them for images; hybrid live action welcomeWorld AI Film Festival, competitions page / recorded 2026-09-25
• FAQ
  The film does not have to be fully AI-generatedReply AI Film Festival, how it works / recorded 2026-09-25
• Call for submissions
  Works generated or enhanced using AI toolsAI for Good Film Festival, ITU page / recorded 2026-09-25
• FAQ 12
  No restrictions on the use of AISundance Institute, 2027 submissions FAQ / recorded 2026-09-25

2The making side of an entry

For an entrant reading “Hybrid film”, this is what SceneMixer publishes about the film its pipeline hands over:

Every episode is scored for you once its first shot is generated; the music is written for the episode and mixed in under the voices.

SceneMixer, Background Music in an AI Short Drama: The Built-in Score — “Do I need to add music to my episode?” (read 2026-10-13)

Paste a scene or a short script and SceneMixer gives you a storyboard — numbered shots with framing and seconds — and then a moving version of each segment, which you can join into a rough cut of the scene.

SceneMixer, Using SceneMixer for Previs and Animatics Before a Live-Action Shoot (read 2026-10-13)

3More festival terms

• Human authorship
• Generative video
• Entry period
• Grant of licence