Dubai, August 28, 2025 — Dubai has unveiled a $1 million award for short films generated entirely through artificial intelligence, launched in partnership with Google’s Gemini. The initiative will debut at the 1 Billion Followers Summit, scheduled for January 9–11, 2026, under the theme “Content for Good.”
The award seeks to highlight the creative potential of AI in filmmaking, with submissions evaluated on storytelling quality, realism, creative AI use, technical execution, and the ability to deliver a humanitarian message. The winning entry will claim the grand prize, while the top 10 films will be screened at the summit.
The UAE Media Government Office, which organizes the summit, said the competition is designed to promote purposeful storytelling through AI, enhance aesthetic and technical filmmaking skills, and showcase how AI can be integrated into creative industries.
Boosting the Content Economy
UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammad Al-Gergawi emphasized the summit’s role in advancing the “content economy.”
“The content economy is an economic power with limitless horizons. Today, the UAE is not only keeping pace with its developments but is also leading and charting new directions within that economy,” he said.
In line with this vision, the UAE has allocated $13.6 million to fund creative projects by content creators, with additional funding to back startups, joint ventures, and global cultural initiatives. Another $13.6 million will help startups and creators pitch their projects to leading investors and tech firms.
Global Creative Gathering
The 1 Billion Followers Summit is expected to draw 400 speakers with a combined audience of more than 3 billion followers. The event will bring together top creators, tech companies, industry experts, and entrepreneurs, offering a global platform for collaboration and innovation in AI-driven content creation.
