STORY101 LAB | AI Storytelling Challenge — Alignment 2026
US$16,000 in cash prizes +1 million Runway credits · Two tracks · Live screenings and exposure to millions of viewers worldwide
Join us for a video hackathon at the heart of the AI revolution.
This year, Valley 101 is bringing a live creative experiment to Alignment 2026: STORY101 LAB — AI Storytelling Challenge.
We invite you to use AI to create a video of no more than three minutes.
You can participate as an individual or as a team. Whether you already have a body of work or are just beginning to experiment with AI video, there is a track for you. First-time creators, experienced filmmakers, and teams are welcome.
Prizes and visibility
$16,000 in cash prizes and 1 million Runway credits across six awards. All cash amounts are in USD, all credits are provided by Runway.
Discovery Track
1st $3,000 + 187,500 credits ($1,875 value)
2nd $2,000+ 125,000 credits ($1,250 value)
3rd: $1,000 + 62,500 credits ($625 value)
Advanced Track:
1st $5,000 +312,500 credits ($3,125 value)
2nd $3,000 +187,500 credits ($1,875 value)
3rd $2,000+125,000 credits ($1,250 value)
First-place works in both tracks will be shown in future Valley101 videos and have an opportunity for main-stage screening. All entries have an opportunity for screening in a Summit breakout room. Valley101 will coordinate the arrangements with creators.
How it works
Saturday, October 10 — Create
The competition prompt will be revealed live at kickoff. Develop your story, plan your shots, and make your video through AI creation, sound, and editing. Workshop segments and scheduled creative checkpoints support the process.
Sunday, October 11 — Share
Return for judging, selected-work screenings, and conversations about the creative choices behind the stories.
This is a two-day event, not a continuous 48-hour sprint. Exact session times and the submission deadline will be confirmed before applications open.
Choose your track
Discovery: You are new to video storytelling or have tried only a few projects. No portfolio is required.
Advanced: You have an established filmmaking or AI-video practice and experience completing video projects. A work sample is recommended for your team lead.
Create independently or with a team. Each participant applies separately. Existing teammates should use the same team name and select the same track. Applying does not confirm admission; please wait for approval. Final team and track details will be confirmed in the participation instructions.
What to prepare
Bring a laptop, charger, and headphones.
Set up and try your preferred AI creation and editing tools beforehand.
Begin your competition story after the prompt is revealed at kickoff. Permitted pre-existing materials and submission requirements will be covered in the final rules.
Event details
October 10–11, 2026 · Sunnyvale, California
Registration is currently open. Please register according to the stated requirements. Displayed start and end times are provisional. After registration closes, Valley101 will confirm the final schedule, application results, venue details, and admission arrangements, including any separate Summit ticket requirement.
Alignment 2026
At this annual tech summit, we are bringing together hundreds of leading scientists, researchers, founders, and builders from the frontiers of AI, including people from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google DeepMind, Meta, NVIDIA, and beyond. For the main event, check out Luma page here: https://luma.com/alignment2026.
Running alongside this major Silicon Valley gathering of more than 1,000 attendees, the STORY101 LAB AI Video Hackathon will bring together 20 teams and 80 professional and amateur creators — including Hollywood filmmakers, AI video specialists, short-form drama directors, AI scientists, and AI agent founders.
At STORY101 LAB, we want to rethink what “AI creation” can mean.
Given the same prompt, how can an idea — powered by AI — become a story that people can see, understand, and emotionally connect with?
What does the best AI storytelling actually look like?
Are professional filmmakers necessarily better at telling stories with AI than large-model scientists?
Can AI agents help a complete filmmaking beginner compete with a Hollywood director?
……
We’ll leave those questions to be answered at the hackathon.
See you on Oct 10-11 for Alignment 2026!