Film Submission Terms & Conditions

Simplified Submission Guidelines:

  1. Your film must substantively use AI in some way OR illuminate possible consequences of the AI revolution. It does not need to be 100% computer generated, but you must clearly state in your submission what was and wasn’t AI generated, along with what platforms you used. 

  2. The video must be 3 - 15 minutes in duration with a clear linear underling narrative. 

  3. Artists may submit individually or as a collective. 

Full Token Institute AI Film Festival Official Submission Guidelines

The Token Institute AI Film Festival celebrates artists experimenting with artificial intelligence as a creative tool. The festival highlights filmmakers who are exploring the aesthetic, narrative, and conceptual possibilities of AI while maintaining a strong commitment to artistic vision and creative authorship.

These guidelines govern all submissions to the Token Institute AI Film Festival.

1. Eligibility

The festival is open to residents of any location where participation in the festival is not prohibited or restricted by law, who, at the time of entry, are at least eighteen (18) years of age, or the age of majority in the jurisdiction where the participant resides, whichever is higher.

Participants are responsible for ensuring that their participation complies with all applicable local laws and regulations.

2. No Purchase Necessary

No purchase, entry fee, payment, or proof of purchase is necessary to participate in the Token Institute AI Film Festival submission process.

Submitting a film does not require any financial transaction.

3. AI Usage Requirements

Eligible films must incorporate one or more artificial intelligence technologies as a critical component of the development of the film.

AI does not need to be responsible for the entirety of the film’s creation. However, entrants must clearly disclose the role AI played in the production.

As part of the submission process, entrants must:

  • Provide a brief description of the creative process

  • Specify the AI platforms or tools used

  • Clearly state how AI was used and how it was not used in the development of the film

4. Film Length

Submitted films must have a runtime between three (3) and fifteen (15) minutes, inclusive of credits.

5. Categories

Films are submitted once to the festival and may be considered for multiple award categories.

During the submission process, entrants may select any categories they believe are appropriate for their film. There is no limit to the number of categories a film may be entered into.

All submitted films are automatically eligible for the Audience Choice Award.

6. Premiere Status

There are no premiere requirements. Films may have previously screened at other festivals, exhibitions, or online platforms.

7. Submission Deadline

All submissions must be received no later than August 1, 2026. Late submissions may not be considered.

8. Rights and Promotional Use

By submitting a film to the Token Institute AI Film Festival, entrants grant the Token Institute a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to:

  • Screen the film as part of the festival program

  • Use excerpts, still images, trailers, or clips from the film

  • Reference the film and its creators in promotional materials

These materials may be used for the purpose of promoting the festival, future editions of the festival, and related cultural programming.

Entrants retain all ownership and intellectual property rights to their work.

9. Representations and Warranties

By submitting a film (“Submission”) and participating in the Token Institute AI Film Festival (“Festival”), you represent and warrant that:

Ownership and Legal Rights

You (or your Team):

  • Are the sole legal owner of the rights granted herein and have all rights necessary to submit the Submission, including without limitation the title or rights in any content, trademarks, artwork, text, and/or music featured in the Submission.

  • Have the right to grant the Token Institute the rights to use the Submission as set forth in these guidelines.

  • Have complied, and will comply, with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations in connection with the creation, submission, and use of the Submission, including laws relating to digital replicas, deepfakes, likeness rights, data protection, and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

No Additional Compensation Required

Use of the Submission in accordance with these guidelines will not:

  • Require the Token Institute or any affiliated party to pay royalties, residuals, compensation, or other payments to you or any third party;

  • Require the Token Institute or any affiliated party to obtain additional third-party consents or approvals; or

  • Violate any agreement, obligation, or restriction between you (or your Team) and any third party.

Content Standards

You further represent and warrant that your Submission:

  • Is original to you (or your Team)

  • Does not infringe upon or misappropriate the rights of any third party

  • Does not contain material that is indecent, obscene, hateful, defamatory, or unlawful

  • Does not promote illegal drugs, tobacco, firearms or weapons, violence, illegal conduct, or animal cruelty

  • Does not promote discrimination against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, caste, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religion, age, disability, or serious disease

  • Does not contain malicious software, viruses, or code intended to interfere with digital systems

  • Is free and clear of liens or claims that could interfere with the rights granted to the Token Institute

  • Is appropriate for general audiences

  • Does not contain material unlawful in any jurisdiction where the Submission was created

10. Clearances

Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, you (or your Team) are solely responsible for obtaining from all applicable individuals or entities any and all required rights, releases, consents, permissions, clearances, licenses, and other authorizations necessary to grant the rights described herein.

This includes, without limitation, rights related to content, trademarks, artwork, text, music, likenesses, and underlying materials used in the Submission.

You (or your Team) are also responsible for reviewing and clearing chain of title with respect to any underlying rights or material upon which the Submission is based (collectively, the “Clearances”).

The Token Institute reserves the right, but not the obligation, to verify that all necessary Clearances have been obtained.

The Token Institute may disqualify any Submission if it reasonably determines that required Clearances have not been secured.

11. Publicity

Except where prohibited by law, by accepting a prize, Winners grant the Token Institute and its representatives an irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive, sublicensable right to use the Winners’ names, team member names, and information about the prize award for advertising, publicity, and promotional purposes in any media without additional approval or compensation.

The Token Institute may require Winners to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability/Publicity Release. Any required documentation must be returned within fourteen (14) days of notification or the prize may be forfeited.

Winners may use the Token Institute AI Film Festival logo solely for promotional purposes related to their Submission (such as posters or trailers) in accordance with festival branding guidelines.

Use of the Token Institute name, branding, or logo for any other purpose requires prior written approval from the Token Institute.

12. Ownership of and Rights to Submissions

By entering the Token Institute AI Film Festival and submitting a film, you grant the Token Institute and its affiliates a non-exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, transferable, worldwide, royalty-free license to:

  • publicly perform

  • publicly display

  • digitally transmit

  • distribute

  • copy

  • modify

  • create derivative works from

  • otherwise use the Submission

in whole or in part, in any media now known or later developed.

This includes use in connection with:

  • festival screenings

  • promotional materials

  • educational or cultural programming

  • conferences, talks, and related events

  • Token Institute websites, platforms, and social media channels

The Token Institute may make technical edits or modifications to ensure exhibition quality.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, entrants waive moral rights related to the uses described above.

Subject to these rights and licenses, entrants retain full ownership of their work and all associated intellectual property rights.

13. Disqualification and Indemnification

Submissions that violate these guidelines or fail to meet eligibility requirements may be disqualified at the sole discretion of the Token Institute.

By participating in the festival, entrants agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Token Institute, its partners, sponsors, venues, staff, and affiliates from any claims, damages, liabilities, costs, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from or related to the Submission or breach of these guidelines.