What opened on 30 September

The 1 Billion Followers Summit opened the AI Film Award 2027 on 30 September 2026.

Submissions close on 20 November 2026.

The award page lists a grand prize of US$1 million.

The terms name New Media Academy LLC as the organizer.

The page says the award is powered by Seedance, in partnership with TikTok.

Who can enter

The page says creators and filmmakers worldwide may enter.

You must be at least 18 years old on the day you submit.

You may send more than one film. Each film needs its own application.

The terms bar people who work on the award, jury members, and their close relatives.

They also bar people in places under comprehensive sanctions.

The page does not name a country ban that would leave out the Philippines.

What the film must be

  • Send one original film that tells one story, made for this award. The terms say it must not have been released to the public before.
  • The award page says each film runs 5 to 7 minutes. The terms say that time leaves out opening titles and closing credits.
  • Use a horizontal 16:9 frame, at least 1080p, as a MOV or MP4 file.
  • Any language is allowed. English subtitles are required.
  • The award page links a download for an intro that must play before the film.
  • At least 70 percent of the finished film must be generated with Seedance. Other tools and normal editing may support the rest.
  • Live-action footage is allowed only as a supplement, if Seedance still covers at least 70 percent.
  • The terms say that 70 percent covers picture and sound, measured the way the organizer sets. Generation must run through Seedance.
  • The film must speak to one of five themes: society and humanitarian issues, truth and misinformation, humans and AI, climate and nature, or human relationships.
  • The terms say the film must suit a general audience. They rule out strong language, sexual content, and more than mild violence.

Dates after the deadline

On 15 December 2026, a committee names a top 10 and public voting starts.

The page scores films out of 100. AI integration is 30 percent. Storytelling is 30 percent. Creativity and look are 20 percent. Technical execution is 20 percent.

Responsible use of AI is required to enter. It is not one of the scores.

The timeline says the top 5 are announced on 25 December 2026.

The same timeline lists 8 to 10 January 2027 for the premiere and the prize at the summit.

The questions on that page say the top 5 premiere on 9 January 2027.

They say the winner is announced on 10 January 2027.

The terms say the summit is held in Dubai.

The prize and your rights

The questions on the page say the winner is paid US$1 million by bank transfer within 60 days.

Payment follows checks on identity and eligibility. The winner handles any tax.

The terms say the organizer may choose not to award the prize.

The questions on the page say you keep ownership of the film.

Submitting grants a non-exclusive license to screen, share, archive and promote the film. You can still use the film yourself.

The terms describe that license as worldwide and lasting. They also allow use of your name and image with the film.

Until the winner is announced, or until you are told you are not a finalist, the terms say you must not release the film in public.

What you pay, and what is not stated

The terms say the award is free to enter. No purchase or fee is required to apply.

The same terms say you pay your own costs to make the film, including tool subscriptions. The organizer does not pay those costs back.

The award page and the terms do not say what Seedance costs.

They also do not say which Seedance plan a creator in the Philippines can buy.

Why it matters in the Philippines

The page sets no country limit, so a Filipino creator aged 18 or older can enter.

The deadline is 20 November 2026. From this check on 30 October, that is three weeks.

The Seedance rule decides the tool. Other editing software can still help, if Seedance makes at least 70 percent of the film.

A 5 to 7 minute film is a large job on a short clock. Read the rules before you generate.

Keep a record of the film

The terms say you may be asked for prompts, project files, a shot log and the share of the film each tool made.

Keep those notes for 24 months after the award closes.

The terms say a reply more than 7 days after a request can lead to disqualification.

Try itTurn notes into a checklist

What to do before 20 November

  • Open the award page and the terms, not only a social repost.
  • Confirm you are 18 or older and can apply in your own name.
  • Choose one theme and a story that fits 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Plan Seedance for at least 70 percent of the film, and save your prompts and project files.
  • Check the Seedance plan and price you would pay before you commit.
  • Add English subtitles, the required intro, and a private or unlisted link.
  • Do not post the film in public while it is in the contest.
  • Submit on the official form before 20 November 2026.

Try itCheck an AI event before spending time or money

How this was checked

The dates, prize, age rule, format, themes and judging weights come from the AI Film Award 2027 page, opened 30 October 2026.

The free-entry line, production costs, Dubai, the title-length rule, the license and the sanctions limit come from the award terms, opened the same day.

The three-week note is counted from that check date to 20 November 2026.

This article does not confirm a Seedance price or a plan on sale in the Philippines.

Try itCheck a claim against its original source

Put this into practice

Before you spend weeks on a film, read the official rules and keep a list of what you still need to confirm.

Sources & further reading

Source note. The linked sources support the news in this article. The explanations and suggested next steps are from Pinoy AI Works.