New Frames 2026: Free European Student AI Short Film Competition, 1–5 Minutes and €900 Prize Pool
New Frames, a European student AI short-film contest run by the European Generative Film Association (EuGFA) in Estonia, is accepting films until 30 October 2026 at 23:59 Europe/Tallinn time. Students aged at least 18 at eligible European institutions may enter individually or in teams of up to four. Each original film should run 1–5 minutes and use artificial intelligence as a meaningful part of its filmmaking process. Entry is free, and the total prize pool is €900.
The eligibility is institutional and geographic
The competition is specifically a student programme. Applicants must be enrolled at an eligible school in Europe and be 18 or older; forming a team with one qualifying student does not automatically remove all team requirements. A team may include no more than four participants. The school and age requirements should be checked in the full official rules, and artists outside Europe should not assume the competition is a global unrestricted AI-film call.
Films and required materials
Applicants must produce an original film between one and five minutes, with AI materially used in the creative process—not merely invoked for an irrelevant administrative task. The official procedure starts with an application form and continues with emailed upload instructions for the film and still or poster. Filmmakers should retain evidence of permitted music, performances, voice cloning and third-party intellectual-property rights, and disclose their AI workflow as required by the submission conditions.
Judging calendar and awards
Submissions close 30 October 2026. The shortlist is scheduled for 6 November, public voting from 6 to 14 November, and final winners on 15 November. The advertised €900 figure is a total prize pool, not the cash amount every entrant receives. Audience voting and organisers' awards are selection processes, and application acceptance should not be confused with winning.
Official organisation and how to apply
EuGFA describes itself as an Estonia-based association for generative filmmaking and maintains the contest timeline, eligibility and linked official Google submission form. Before sending personal information or high-resolution work, verify that the link comes from eugfa.org/newframes and that the stated Tallinn deadline has not changed.
Official organiser guidelines and application
Information verified on 22 October 2026. Before applying, recheck eligibility, exact deadlines, fees and rights terms on the official organiser site.