The AI Film Gala at the 8th Hainan Island International Film Festival opened a global call for entries on October 20, 2026. The event will focus on how artificial intelligence can support cinematic storytelling, character development, and artistic expression, encouraging filmmakers to combine technological innovation with human emotion, experience, and imagination.

The gala is accepting submissions in four categories: cinematic-quality AI feature films, high-quality AI series, cinematic-quality AI short films, and AI experimental moving-image works. Feature films are this year's main priority. Entries will be assessed against professional filmmaking standards, with attention to narrative structure, character development, visual style, music and sound design, and collaboration within production teams. The emphasis will be on how AI is used throughout the filmmaking process, rather than simply on the quality of AI-generated imagery.

The gala will present a range of annual honors recognizing both overall quality and achievements in directing, screenwriting, digital performance, cinematography, and sound. Each of the four submission categories will also have corresponding awards, with entries evaluated for originality, artistic merit, and production quality.

Around 50 films are expected to be selected for screening. The submission deadline is November 15, 2026, with the shortlist scheduled for release in mid-November. Screenings and related events will take place in early December in Sanya, Hainan Province, as part of the 8th Hainan Island International Film Festival. Filmmakers can find entry requirements and submit entries through the official submission platform (https://www.liblib.tv/hiiff-aifilmseason).

In addition to the call for entries and scheduling screenings, the gala plans to work with leading arts and film schools to examine how AI is being used in film and television production. An annual research report assessing the current applications, strengths and limitations of AI in professional filmmaking, as well as its implications for creative practices and the wider film industry will be published in collaboration with the Institute of Science and Art at the Beijing Film Academy. The gala will also work with the Moving Image and Technology division of the Central Academy of Fine Arts' School of Design to explore the intersection of AI and moving-image art, with a focus on developing creative talent in the field.

The program will also include film and television project pitching and investment sessions, in-depth film analysis and discussions, technology demonstrations, and an annual gala. These activities will provide opportunities for filmmakers, researchers, and industry professionals from different countries and regions to present their work and exchange ideas.

"We're not just looking for films made with AI. We want to discover filmmakers who are redefining cinema," said Xie Limei, chief curator of the AI Film Gala and secretary-general of the Artificial Intelligence Artistic Innovation Alliance. She said the gala aims to encourage filmmakers to place greater emphasis on original storytelling and audiovisual expression when working with AI, ensuring that the technology serves the film rather than becoming an end in itself.

As AI becomes part of more stages of film and television production, striking a balance between technological capabilities and artistic creativity has become a central concern for this year's gala. Through the call for entries, professional judging, research discussions, and public screenings, the Hainan Island International Film Festival hopes to give AI filmmakers opportunities to share their work and connect with others, while providing a platform in Sanya for dialogue on emerging technologies and the art of cinema.