New Media Film Festival 2027: AI, VR, Animation, Games and Digital Art Entries in Los Angeles
The New Media Film Festival, based in Los Angeles, California, has opened the 2027 submission season for filmmakers, digital artists, game creators and storytellers experimenting with emerging formats. Its programme spans traditional short films and television as well as AI-produced media, mixed and augmented reality, virtual reality and 360-degree films, animation, interactive digital comics, gaming and metaverse projects, music videos, NFT-related narratives, podcasts and vertical mobile-first storytelling. The 2027 festival runs 2 June online and 3 June in Los Angeles. Submissions are international and subject to category-specific eligibility.
Categories for digital artists and game creators
Animation & Artwork: animation in two or three dimensions, CGI, stop-motion and visual work.
AR/MR/AI/Tech: AI-assisted films, augmented and mixed-reality interactive narratives.
Virtual Reality/360: immersive films and virtual experiences.
Gaming & Metaverse: game-based narratives and interactive environments.
Digital Comics and New Media/NFTs: interactive visual formats and contemporary digital publishing.
Music and Music Videos, Microdrama, Vertical Format, Drone/Mobile Media, Web Series, and other narrative categories.
Entry deadlines and fees
The official 2027 schedule lists 6 December 2026 as a regular submission date with an $80 fee, 6 February 2027 as a later regular deadline with an $85 fee, and 6 April 2027 as the final deadline with a $95 fee. These published figures are a general fee schedule; individual FilmFreeway/Eventbrite categories or member discounts may differ. Verify the payable amount in the live entry category before committing. Nominee notifications are expected by 15 April, and the schedule is finalised around 1 May 2027.
Prizes: services and exposure, not automatic cash
The organiser's published Grand Prize package includes an opportunity for industry meetings with major entertainment organisations such as HBO or Marvel, LA studio or casting services, production support, a hand-painted film slate and software services. Category winners receive artwork and production-tool benefits. Script top-three awards include feedback services. These are mainly non-cash, non-transferable benefits, and the precise package is subject to organiser terms; no applicant should plan a film budget assuming a cash cheque or confirmed job offer.
Intellectual property and screening terms
The festival states that entrants retain ownership of the underlying intellectual property. Entrants nevertheless grant exhibition and promotional rights under the rules accepted at checkout; they must ensure valid licences for all music, voice, archival footage, stock images, game engine assets and recognisable persons. If a VR artwork relies on hardware, network access or a paid headset, include a technical rider. A short sample that demonstrates actual interaction is more informative to jurors than merely promising an interactive experience.
What to include in your entry
Prepare a concise synopsis, maker/team credits, running time or interactivity requirements, a private working screener or demonstration, screenshots and technical specifications. For mobile-first vertical dramas, indicate portrait orientation; for games, clarify supported platform and how a reviewer can experience the content. Since the festival has more than 30 categories, choose the category that matches the viewing format, not only the presence of AI tools.
Organiser track record
New Media Film Festival describes its establishment in 2009 and has hosted recurring award programmes combining film, emerging technology and media entrepreneurship. Its own website lists past awards, jurors and the 2027 submission and festival schedule. It should not be confused with dozens of newly created monthly online film-prize brands; examine category fees and specific distribution opportunities on its own submission portal.
Official festival 2027 submission and awards description: https://www.newmediafilmfestival.com/submit/
Official New Media Film Festival website: https://www.newmediafilmfestival.com/
Checked 24 October 2026. International entries welcome; December 6 2026, February 6 and April 6 2027 price stages. Event 2–3 June 2027.