The award is designed to inspire impactful storytelling through AI-driven filmmaking, blending creativity with cutting-edge technology. It recognises the growing influence of short films as a powerful medium for delivering messages to wide audiences.
Supporting creators worldwide
Speaking at the event, Saeed Al Eter, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Projects and Chairman of the UAE Government Media Office, said: “The 1 Billion Followers Summit has grown to become a key global event in supporting talent, developing advanced skills, and fostering investments in the Creator Economy.
Amplifying creativity with AI
Anthony Nakache, Google’s Managing Director for the Middle East & North Africa, said:
“At Google, we believe AI should amplify creativity and support creators. We want Google Gemini to give every aspiring storyteller, regardless of their budget or available equipment, the power of our advanced models to bring ideas to life. This includes Veo, our state-of-the-art model for generating videos, and Imagen, for generating images, along with many other tools and features. We are very excited about the AI Film Award, and can’t wait to announce the winning film in January.”
Entry requirements and key dates
Films must be 70% AI-generated using Google Gemini tools such as Imagen, Veo and Flow, with optional third-party integrations based on Gemini.
Submissions should explore one of two concepts: “Rewrite Tomorrow” (a vision of the future) or “The Secret Life of” (revealing hidden stories behind the everyday).
Entries must be 7—10 minutes long, with clear audio, subtitles in English, and professional editing.
Submissions open on September 23 and close on 20 November 2025 at www.1billionsummit.com/ai-film-award
Judging panel
A judging panel will evaluate films on storytelling, creativity, AI integration and thematic strength. Ten shortlisted entries will be put to public vote in December, with the top five films announced on 3 January 2026. These finalists will be screened at the Summit, and the grand prize winner revealed on 11 January 2026.
Summit highlights
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The 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026 will feature:
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400+ global speakers with a combined following of over 3 billion.
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30,000+ visitors from more than 140 nations, including over 15,000 creators.
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A Creator’s Market showcasing 100+ start-ups.
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The Creators Ventures accelerator, investing Dh50 million to help creators become founders.
The event is organised by the UAE Government Media Office and will host every active global social media platform, making it a unique global stage for the creator economy.
A Ahmed brings more than three decades of experience covering UAE news, the South Asian diaspora, politics, and regional security.
He brings sharp focus to the South Asian diaspora, politics, community affairs, and regional security, often through compelling interviews with key figures.
With a keen eye for detail and context, Ahmed connects local developments to the wider regional pulse.
