Hong Kong AI International Film Festival 2027: AI-Native Films Worldwide, US$99 Entry
The Hong Kong AI International Film Festival (HKAIIFF) is accepting completed AI-native films and cinematic experiences from creators around the world for its 2027 awards. This is a call for finished, assessable work rather than a funding call for unfinished scripts or a prize for simply using an AI editing tool. Entries opened on 1 October 2026 and close on 1 March 2027 at 23:59 Hong Kong time (UTC+8). The official entry fee is US$99 per film or work, with no early-bird or late-entry tiers. The required submitted version must have been completed on or after 1 August 2026.
Meaning of AI-native film in the 2027 rules
AI needs to have a substantial creative role in the principal audiovisual material, performance, narrative construction, generative system or audience experience. Merely adding subtitles, denoising sound, upscaling images or using AI to plan administrative tasks is not enough. There is deliberately no numeric threshold such as '50% AI-generated'. Instead, applicants should explain which decisions were made by the artist and which creative processes relied on artificial intelligence. Film, animation and interactive or generative screen-based storytelling can qualify if each has a defined, reviewable completed version.
Eligibility, completion date and premieres
Who can enter: individuals, groups, studios, film makers, educational institutions and representatives authorised by the rights holders, from any country.
Closing time: 1 March 2027, 23:59 Hong Kong time (UTC+8).
Entry fee: US$99 per complete work, charged when formally applying.
The submitted version must have been completed on or after 1 August 2026.
No general minimum running time, and no world premiere restriction: previously screened or uploaded eligible works can apply.
A trailer, concept deck, fragment collection or isolated demo cannot replace the complete audiovisual work.
Documents and the difference between a draft and a valid entry
The formal process takes place via the festival's official hkaiiff.io entry portal. Applicants register, supply rights-holder and work information, pay the US$99 fee, then upload the poster, trailer and complete film. The organiser specifically distinguishes a registered account, an unfinished draft, a paid application, an INDEX record and an accepted festival submission: none should be mistaken for the others. Complete all required declarations and media uploads, then check that the dashboard confirms the final accepted state rather than stopping after payment.
Awards: seven different kinds of achievement
HKAIIFF's 2027 programme advertises seven Unicorn honours: one Golden Unicorn Grand Prix for the complete AI-native film; three Silver Unicorn achievements for Creative Method, Digital Character and Worldbuilding; and three additional awards for Narrative Innovation, Audiovisual Innovation and Experiential Innovation. Films may be considered for relevant achievements under the current rules without purchasing a separate category entry for every award. The official information does not promise a fixed cash amount for each winner, and the exact dates, venues and award resources are to be announced separately.
Copyright, model permissions and accessibility
Applicants should be able to license the screening of every image, sound recording, performance and generated visual used in their work. The rules request substantive evidence of AI-enabled creation, human editorial choices, participant rights and any relevant consent for likenesses or voices. Non-English films should provide the subtitles or transcripts requested by the application system. For a dynamic work, explain the experience's scope, duration or stopping condition, required hardware and accessibility requirements so jurors can meaningfully assess it.
Organiser identity and verification
HKAIIFF maintains an official 2027 entry guide and a separate facts and questions site describing the award architecture, fee schedule and application states. The programme positions itself specifically around AI-native cinema and emerging film methods rather than traditional festival premiere exclusivity. Since the 2027 festival's dates, venues and detailed prizes are not yet fixed, applicants should not book travel or budget imaginary cash funding. Use the official hkaiiff.org documentation, then follow the official application link it provides.
Official entry guide and rules
HKAIIFF 2027 official entry requirements: https://www.hkaiiff.org/en/festival/2027/entry-guide
HKAIIFF 2027 facts and important explanations: https://www.hkaiiff.org/en/facts
HKAIIFF home and awards programme: https://www.hkaiiff.org/en
Information verified 24 October 2026. Worldwide entries currently open. Deadline 1 March 2027 at 23:59 Hong Kong time. Fee US$99 per completed qualifying film.