How to make an AI short film for a festival or competition
Brief for AI Create: A short film for an AI film festival: a lighthouse keeper on the last night before the light is automated receives a call from a ship that sank in 1952; eight minutes, two characters, one location, a quiet ending.
Before you write
- Read the festival's rules: length limits, AI categories, disclosure, resolution, subtitles. They decide; we do not. Do AI videos need a label?.
- Small story, big craft. One location and two characters let you spend on the shots that matter. Make an AI short film.
- Original world. Known characters and real people are refused. IP check.
Craft
- Type Film, no forced hooks. Series or film.
- A considered look: Shot on Film, Black & White Film or a drawn style, fixed after Step 1. Visual styles.
- Fix single shots rather than whole sequences: trim, redub, or regenerate one shot. Edit this clip.
- Music is scored automatically under the voices; the Music switch gives a dialogue-only version. Background music.
Delivery
- Resolution: render on a higher tier, or raise a finished clip with Enhance, one step at a time up to 2K. Enhance.
- No badge: members can switch the AI badge off before rendering. The AI badge switch.
- Full quality: download the original, not the play version. Original vs play version.
- Subtitles: burned in or as SRT (accounts with a purchase). Subtitles.
- Poster: a promo cover can be generated from the project. Promo cover.
Make it in SceneMixer, start to finish
- Script: paste your own on Upload Script, or write the brief above in AI Create and let it draft the episodes.
- Step 1: Type Film; Scene Style Frozen Wilderness, Mediterranean Coast; Costume Style Outdoor Gear; Visual Style Shot on Film, Black & White Film; Target Region; dialogue language; 16:9 Landscape. Then read the script.
- Step 2: two characters with specific faces; one or two locations; render the opening sequence and review it before the rest. The first 15 setup images on an account are free.
- Storyboard: generate episode 1 first (free on your first drama) and read it before you render anything. One place per segment.
- Video: render on the default tier at 10 credits a second, fix single shots instead of whole episodes, then put the episode together and post.
| Step | What to do | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read the festival rules. | The festival's site. |
| 2 | Write a small, original script. | Upload Script or AI Create. |
| 3 | Film type, 16:9, a considered look. | Step 1. |
| 4 | Render, fix single shots, enhance. | The editor. |
| 5 | Badge off, download original, SRT. | Editor and export. |
FAQ
How do I make an AI short film for a festival?
Write a small original script, make a Film project in 16:9, render and fix single shots, enhance, and deliver a full-quality file under the festival's rules.
What resolution can I deliver?
It depends on the tier; Enhance raises a clip one step at a time up to 2K.
Can I remove the AI badge?
Members can switch it off; the setting applies to videos generated afterwards.
Do festivals accept AI films?
Many have AI categories; each sets its own rules. Read them first.
Can I get an SRT file?
Yes, when exporting an episode on an account that has made a purchase.
Can I use real actors' faces?
No. Real people cannot be depicted.
Can I turn the music off?
Yes. The Music switch gives the dialogue-only version.
Which look suits a festival short?
Shot on Film or Black & White Film, or a drawn style used consistently.
Updated October 31, 2026