We Are Human Festival Offers €10,000 to AI Filmmakers Exploring Human Rights
AI filmmaking does not have to be limited to spectacle, advertising or technical demonstrations. The We Are Human Festival 2026 is inviting creators from around the world to use artificial intelligence to explore questions of human dignity, equality and human rights. The international call is free to enter and offers €10,000 in total prizes, along with international screenings for selected films. AI Meets Human Righ…
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AI filmmaking does not have to be limited to spectacle, advertising or technical demonstrations.
The We Are Human Festival 2026 is inviting creators from around the world to use artificial intelligence to explore questions of human dignity, equality and human rights.
The international call is free to enter and offers €10,000 in total prizes, along with international screenings for selected films.
AI Meets Human RightsThe first edition of the festival is built around Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which establishes the principle that all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
Creators are invited to interpret, question or challenge that idea using filmmaking and AI-assisted creative tools.
The festival accepts:
- Fiction
- Documentary
- Animation
- Experimental work
- Video essays
- Digital art
- Hybrid audiovisual formats
Films must be between one and ten minutes long.
Who Can Enter?The competition is open internationally to:
- Independent filmmakers
- Visual artists
- Students
- Amateur creators
- Professional filmmakers
- Studios
- Creative collectives
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, but no formal film training or professional background is required.
Creators can submit individually or as part of a team.
€10,000 in AwardsThree awards will be presented:
| Award | Prize |
|---|---|
| Grand Prix | €5,000 |
| Best Screenplay | €3,000 |
| Ethics Award | €2,000 |
The twenty selected films will also receive international exhibition opportunities.
The festival begins in Paris and selected work is scheduled to travel to partner cities including:
New York, São Paulo, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Mumbai, Quito and Geneva.
For creators in Africa and India, that international screening network makes the opportunity particularly relevant.
AI Must Serve the Creative VisionThe festival's philosophy is different from many AI competitions.
AI should be part of the creative process, but the work should still demonstrate a clear human point of view.
Creators must also submit an Ethics Notebook explaining aspects of their AI process, including the relationship between the creator and the technology.
The notebook is intended to encourage reflection rather than automatically eliminate creators based on the tools they use.
DeadlineSubmissions close:
September 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM CEST
Entry is free.
Submit
Submit to We Are Human Festival
For creators interested in using AI to say something meaningful rather than simply demonstrate technology, the We Are Human Festival offers a distinctive international platform.