A total of 400 hours of films were reviewed by a specialised committee comprising 40 experts and specialists, which selected the initial shortlist.
The 1 Billion Followers Summit, the world’s largest gathering dedicated to the content creation economy and organised by the UAE Government Media Office, has announced the 12 shortlisted films competing for the AI-Generated Film Award, valued at $1m. The award is being presented in collaboration with Google Gemini.
The selected films were chosen by a specialised international jury from more than 3,500 submissions received from around the world. Public voting on the shortlisted works will take place from December 21 to 25, through the official summit platform, after which the jury will determine the final winners.
The judging panel brings together leading figures from the global creative and technology sectors. Among them is Dan Germain, Executive Creative Director at Google Brand Studio London, who oversees brand storytelling across the EMEA region. The jury also includes Ali Ali, a film director and co-founder of Good People, as well as a member of the Film Jury at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Also serving is Christian Haas, Executive Creative Director at YouTube, who leads global campaigns and brand narratives, alongside Piotr Dąbkowski, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of ElevenLabs and a member of the TIME100 AI list for 2024. The panel is further strengthened by entrepreneur and creator Marina Mogilko, known globally as SiliconValleyGirl, who has a following exceeding 18m.
Before reaching the final shortlist, a dedicated committee of 40 experts reviewed nearly 400 hours of film content to narrow the field. Following the public vote, the jury will select the top five films, which will be screened on January 10, 2026, during the fourth edition of the summit. The event will be hosted in the UAE from January 9 to 11, 2026 across Emirates Towers, the Dubai International Financial Centre, and the Museum of the Future under the theme “Content for Good.” The overall winner of the AI-Generated Film Award will be announced on January 11, 2026.
Organisers revealed that more than 30,000 people from 116 countries expressed interest in the award, underlining its global reach and appeal. The initiative aims to encourage the creation of meaningful, purpose-driven films using artificial intelligence while supporting creators in delivering messages that foster understanding and cultural connection.
Anthony Nakache, Managing Director for Google in the Middle East and North Africa, said the collaboration reflects the strong global enthusiasm among creators for using AI tools to translate ideas into impactful films. He noted that the diversity of submissions demonstrates how artificial intelligence can democratise filmmaking, enabling talent to emerge regardless of background or resources.
Alia AlHammadi, Vice Chairperson of the UAE Government Media Office and Director of the summit, stated the high level of participation highlights the summit’s role as a global platform for innovation in digital content. She added that many submissions stood out for their deep human insight and artistic vision, reinforcing the summit’s commitment to advancing creative excellence.
The shortlisted films fall under two core themes: “Rewrite Tomorrow,” which explores hopeful visions of the future, and “The Secret Life of Everything,” which uncovers unseen narratives from the world around us. Stories range from explorations of emotional healing, environmental challenges and artistic identity to reflections on war, migration, memory and human connection, all brought to life through advanced AI technologies.
The judging process included a detailed eligibility review, which reduced the original entries to 100 films, followed by an advanced technical assessment using Google Gemini. This ensured that each shortlisted film met quality benchmarks and confirmed that at least 70% of its production relied on generative AI tools developed by Google.
Through this award, the 1 Billion Followers Summit seeks to set new standards for AI-driven storytelling, promoting ethical, transparent and human-centred use of artificial intelligence while expanding the creative possibilities available to filmmakers worldwide.
