What happened
The World AI Film Festival (WAIFF) has published competition rules for its 2027 edition. Submissions opened on 15 September 2026 and close on 15 February 2027 at 23:59. Finalists screen on 6 and 7 April 2027, with awards in Cannes on 7 April. As of 20 October 2026, the fee per work is €15 until 15 November, €30 until 31 January and €60 after that.
Short films run 5 to 15 minutes and must contain substantial AI-generated visual content. The rules ask for a production journal that names the main AI tools, the production stages where they were used and the role of human creative intervention, and lists significant third-party assets with the basis for their lawful use.
Why it matters
Most of the journal matches a process note. The new demand is a stated legal basis for each significant borrowed asset. Entrants also warrant consent from any identifiable person shown, synthetic or not, and an unauthorised deepfake can make a work ineligible. Entering grants the organiser, Studio Laffitte, a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence for screenings and free streaming on WAIFF and designated partner platforms for 36 months from submission.
Still open
The rules give no time zone for the deadlines and no cash prize amounts.
For your film
Before paying the early fee by 15 November, check the 36-month streaming licence against the film's distribution plans.
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