The inaugural Australian AI Film Awards will be presented at The Precinct in Fortitude Valley on Wednesday, August 26, bringing filmmakers, creators, and screen industry professionals together for an awards ceremony and live industry forum.
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The event is being held as part of Something Fest, with the program running from 1pm to 4pm. The Precinct describes the event as bringing Australia’s AI filmmakers, screen professionals, studios and Screen Queensland together, with winning films to be screened as part of the afternoon.
Organisers described the event as a celebration of filmmakers, creators and studios shaping the next era of AI storytelling. The categories include Best Australian AI Film, Best International AI Film, and Best Regional Storyteller. The organisers said more than 300 entries had been received from Australia and overseas, while public voting was open for the People’s Choice award.
International judging panel
The seven-member judging panel includes figures from the traditional screen industry alongside practitioners working in AI. The panel includes David Freeman, a former executive vice president at Disney and Fox; Canadian director David Hackl, director of SAW V and production designer of the SAW franchise; and Emmy-nominated producer Adam Gilad.
Jim Dodson, producer of Netflix’s The Night Agent, is also on the panel, alongside Jennie Zeiher, CEO of AI-native VFX studio Alussein and formerly of Rising Sun Pictures.
Marie-Celine Merret, co-founder of the AARON Awards, and US-based creative AI educator and technologist Jerrod Lew are also listed on the judging panel.
Jamie van Leeuwen, Co-Director of the awards and Founder of Absolutely AI, said the response to the inaugural event had been strong.
“The volume and quality of entries we’ve received has been outstanding, and it’s a real testament to the depth of creative talent we have here in Australia,” he said.
Van Leeuwen said the entries represented films made with tools that had not existed a few years ago.
“This is not a gimmick reel. These are films with craft, emotion and point of view, made with tools that simply did not exist a few years ago,” he said.
Forum to examine AI filmmaking
Alongside the awards, THE NEXT FRAME will bring screen industry and AI practitioners together for a live discussion about how the filmmaking process changes when AI becomes part of the medium.
Speakers include Julie Eckersley, Executive Director of Screen Content at Screen Queensland; Clayton Jacobson, director of the Australian classic Kenny and CEO of AI creators Gunshy Cowboys; and Jennie Zeiher, CEO of Alussein.
Award-winning AI creator Emma Barbato will also give a live presentation on new formats and opportunities emerging through AI-powered content.
Jacobson, who is also an AAIFA panel member, said AI filmmaking could bring audiences into a more direct relationship with the storyteller.
“When you watch an AI film, it can be just you and the artist in direct conversation, and there’s something really special about that,” he said.
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The organisers said the event is intended to bring Australia’s AI filmmaking community together with the established screen industry.
Doors open at 1pm, with the awards and forum running until 4pm. Networking drinks will follow. Registration is free, although places are limited. Further event information and registration details are available through the Australian AI Film Awards website.
Published 21-August-2026
