# Visions du Réel may remove selected films that did not disclose generative AI

Entries for the April 2027 festival close on 15 December, and AI use must be described in the director's statement.

Published 7 November 2026 by EuGFA in The Briefing. Interests: Screen and exhibition.

## What happened

The regulations for Visions du Réel, the Nyon festival running from 9 to 18 April 2027, include a clause on artificial intelligence. Article 12.4 says any use of generative AI tools in making a film must be explicitly stated in the director's statement provided at submission. The statement must say how the tools were used and which elements of the film they affected, particularly where they create or modify images, sounds, voices or text.

The festival reserves the right to remove from the selection any film whose use of generative AI was not disclosed in advance. The early deadline passed on 2 November; the final deadline is 15 December 2026, and online screeners must arrive by 31 December.

## Why it matters

Documentary makers who used generative tools on a film, for example to rebuild a voice or extend archive images, need to describe that use when they submit. Although article 12 is headed as obligations for selected films, the statement is due at submission, so it applies to every entry that used such tools.

## Still open

As of 8 November, the regulations give no closing time for 15 December and no fee amounts.

## For your film

Before 15 December, write a short paragraph for the director's statement naming each generative tool, what it changed and in which scenes.

## Read further

- [Visions du Réel 2027 regulations](https://www.visionsdureel.ch/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/VdR27_Regulations_EN-1.pdf)