Austin AI Film Festival 2026
What it is
The 2nd Annual Austin AI Film Festival brings the directors, studio founders, and technologists behind this year's best generative films to Zach Theater in Austin. It is the largest independent AI film festival in the nation and the only one in Texas.
Across two days, the people making this work step on stage to show how it was made, and the year's best films play on the big screen with the filmmakers in the room.
Learn more at austinaifilmfest.com
October 8 to 10: The Global Virtual GenJam
The week before the festival, we are running a 48-hour GenJam in partnership with Machine Cinema and community partner AITX for creators anywhere in the world. It is free and fully virtual. Seats are limited, so entry is by application, and we review portfolios to decide who gets in. The winning films screen at Zach Theater on Saturday, October 17, and the winners are recognized and awarded their prizes, including cash and credits, at the awards ceremony.
Friday, October 16: The Summit
The Summit is about how generative media gets made and how people are building careers and companies around it. The day opens with a keynote, followed by masterclasses and panels.
In a masterclass, a director shows how one of their projects was made, step by step. Directors giving masterclasses include Henry Daubrez (Odd Kid), Billy Boman (Boman Studios), Joni Dobrov (Exact), and Nik Kleverov (Native Foreign).
There are three panels:
Brands and Commercial Work: what brands are paying for, how advertising is adopting generative work, how to get clients, and what the work actually looks like.
Building IP: how to create, own, and monetize original IP as a filmmaker working with generative media, including copyright.
The Directors Panel: directors from different backgrounds on the craft, hybrid films, and how production is changing from traditional filmmaking.
Saturday, October 17: The Screening and Awards Ceremony
The Screening is when we watch the films. The Official Selection, chosen by our Selection Committee from over 700 submissions, screens throughout the day in eleven categories, including features, short films, music videos, documentaries, and brand films. The winning GenJam films screen alongside them. Winners of the film competition are chosen out of the Official Selection by a Panel of Judges.
The day also includes a fireside conversation on what is next for the filmmaking and production industry with Pinar Seyhan Demirdag (EVRN), Jason Fisher (StageRunner), and C. Sean Yuksel (GRAFX Co. & Dreamspace). The night ends with the awards ceremony, where the winners in all categories are announced. This year's judges are Louie Schwartzberg, Rick Carter, Sarba Das, Seema Mathur, and BLVCKL!GHT.
Speakers
Nik Kleverov — Co-founder & CCO, Native Foreign
Pinar Seyhan Demirdag — Founder & CEO, EVRN
Billy Boman — Founder, Boman Studios
Adrienne Lahens — Co-founder & CEO, Infinite Studios
PJ Accetturo — CEO, Genre AI
Conrad Curtis — Production and Partnerships, Beeble
Joni Dobrov — Co-founder & CCO, Exact
Rupert Cresswell — Co-founder & CCO, Elevado Studio
Jason Fisher — Founder & CEO, StageRunner
Henry Daubrez — Founder, Odd Kid
Jennifer Hutchins — Founder, All Entertainment Business
C. Sean Yuksel — Founder, GRAFX Co. & Partner, Dreamspace
and more
Tickets
All Access Pass — Both days. The best seats in the house, held for you: front of the room at every session and screening, first through the door at the masterclasses and networking sessions, plus the All Access lounge and bar.
Festival Pass — Both days. Every session, every screening, the masterclasses, and the awards ceremony. Seating is first come, first served.
Summit Pass — Friday only. Keynote, masterclasses, and panels.
Screening Pass — Saturday only. The Official Selection on the big screen, the fireside conversation, and the awards ceremony.
Check-in opens before the first session each day.
Location
Zach Theatre
202 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704