Human creativity is the core component. AI should be used in a significant way in all Submissions, but it can just be one tool in the artist’s toolbox. We will not prescribe exactly how or how much AI content artists should use in their Submissions. 

Your Submission will be judged as a film, music video, or game, not as a piece of AI. As a participant in the Competition, your highest priority should be the fundamentals of storytelling, design, and art. We invite everyone at any point of the creative journey to learn these skills and aim to provide educational resources to help competitors grow in this aspect.

Your Submission will be judged on outputs, not inputs. We will provide trials of many AI Tools. We encourage creators to use whatever tools best fit your Submission or personal creative standards.

We prohibit the use of existing franchises and intellectual property, including brands, logos, characters, footage, cinematic universes and other proprietary content that you do not have permission to use for your intended purpose in connection with the Competition. We recognize that parody can be a significant avenue for creativity, but a generic re-hash of an existing franchise or intellectual property will negatively impact your originality score.

We prohibit the use of “deepfakes” or non-permitted likenesses. Permissions should be acquired for explicit visual likeness and voice likenesses. 

Usage (or non-usage) of AI Tools should be transparent and non-deceptive.

Clear authorship and credit should be given to all direct contributors on a Submission.

We accept films about mature subject matter, but require that they should be done tastefully and with artistic intent. We may lean on certain social media guidelines: for example, if it wouldn’t be able to be posted on YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram, it won’t be accepted in the Competition.

We have a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination, racism, sexism, xenophobia, exploitation, bullying, disparagement, or promotions of violence towards any protected group.

Represent people and sensitive subject matter with authenticity and respect. Select AI characters with as much care as you would cast a group of human actors and be thoughtful about musical lyrics. For example, we will have a zero tolerance policy towards stereotypical accents, digital blackface, and racial slurs.

Please consider adding a trigger warning for any Submission featuring potentially harmful, sensitive content, loud noises, and flashing/strobing lights.