1 Billion Summit · AI Film Award 2027
$1,000,000
Five films premiere in Dubai. One wins.
The 1 Billion Followers Summit screens five AI films in January. One takes $1,000,000. Make yours on Seedance.
to enter
8–10 January 2027 · Jumeirah Emirates Towers · DIFC · Museum of the Future
Reel 1The stage
One billion. One million. One film.
- 1,000,000,000Followers in the summit’s name. Its speakers reach 3.5 billion.
- $1,000,000For one film. Paid to one creator.
- 1 filmYours. Five to seven minutes, made with Seedance.
- attendees
- 30,000+
- creators
- 15,000
- speakers
- 420
Last edition, in the summit’s own count. Organised by the UAE Government Media Office. Dubai, 8–10 January 2027.
Reel 2Last year
3,500 films. 116 countries. One winner.
Lily · Zoubeir Jlassi · Tunisia · 9 minutes · in French
The theme was “The Secret Life Of”. Lily found it in a doll. A lonely archivist. A hit-and-run. A doll caught on the bumper. A confession. Named after the director’s daughter.
“I hope to inspire aspiring filmmakers to dream, take ideas from their archives, execute them and share them on their own platforms without relying on large production budgets or expensive equipment.”
Reel 3The brief
This year, the camera is Seedance.
Same stage. New rules. Here is the whole brief, from the organiser’s page and terms.
- Length
- 5 to 7 minRunning time. Titles and credits do not count.
- Frame
- 16:9 · 1080pHorizontal. Delivered as MOV or MP4.
- Seedance
- 70% or moreSeedance is the main video tool. Other tools may support.
- Language
- AnyEnglish subtitles are required.
- Story
- One filmOne connected story. Original. Made for this award.
- Audience
- Rated GSuitable for every age. No real person without consent.
- Intro
- Official introThe award intro plays before your film.
- Entrants
- 18+ · worldwideOne film per person.
Reel 4Five stories
Five themes. Pick yours.
The organiser’s five themes, about people and the world they live in. Your film speaks to one.
GSociety, Community & Humanitarian Issues
Society
How one small act of kindness can transform a community
A Seedance film · Written and directed by you · 5 to 7 minutes · 16:9 · 1080p · English subtitles
Write this film
GTruth, Fake News & Misinformation
Truth
How one false rumor can spread across an entire society
A Seedance film · Written and directed by you · 5 to 7 minutes · 16:9 · 1080p · English subtitles
Write this film
GHumans & AI
Humans & AI
AI companions for elderly or lonely people
A Seedance film · Written and directed by you · 5 to 7 minutes · 16:9 · 1080p · English subtitles
Write this film
GClimate, Nature & Our Changing Planet
Climate
A future generation discovering parts of nature that no longer exist
A Seedance film · Written and directed by you · 5 to 7 minutes · 16:9 · 1080p · English subtitles
Write this film
GHuman Relationships
Relationships
Parents and children struggling to understand each other
A Seedance film · Written and directed by you · 5 to 7 minutes · 16:9 · 1080p · English subtitles
Write this film
Reel 5The cameras
Four Seedance models. One OpenClips account.
The award asks for at least 70% Seedance. These four run on OpenClips. The organiser decides what counts toward it.
Main cameraFlagship
Seedance 2.5
One take carries the whole film
- Take
- up to 30s
- Frame
- up to 1080p
- Sound
- Optional
- References
- 30
4K master
Seedance 2.0
Native 4K — every frame holds the grade
- Take
- up to 15s
- Frame
- up to 4K
- Sound
- Optional
- References
- 9
Drafts
Seedance 2.0 Fast
Seedance 2.0 quality, faster and cheaper — drafts and volume
- Take
- up to 15s
- Frame
- up to 720p
- Sound
- Optional
- References
- 9
Quick tests
Seedance 2.0 Mini
Compact Seedance 2.0 — budget-friendly clips
- Take
- up to 15s
- Frame
- up to 720p
- Sound
- Optional
- References
- 9
Reel 6The shoot
One filmmaker. Six weeks. Shot on OpenClips.
Lily came from one filmmaker. Yours can too. These takes came off the OpenClips platform. Seedance 2.5 runs one take up to 30 seconds, up to 1080p. Seedance 2.0 masters in 4K.
Week 1
Write
One story. One theme.
Pick a theme. Write the logline in one sentence.Break it into three acts, then into shots.A take that serves no beat gets cut.
Week 1
Cast
Build your cast once.
Make each character once in your Library.Tag them with @ in any prompt.Seedance keeps the same face in every take.
Week 2
Frame
Lock the look first.
Draw key frames on Seedream or Nano Banana.Start a take on that exact frame.Set the first and last frame. Seedance moves between them.Up to 30 reference images per take.
Weeks 3 to 5
Shoot
30 seconds a take.
Seedance 2.5 runs one take up to 30 seconds.Sound comes out with the picture.Draft at 480p. Finalize the keepers at 1080p.Chain from the last frame. The next take picks up there.
Week 6
Cut
Cut, credit, submit.
Download every take as MP4.Cut in your editor. Add the award intro and English subtitles.Each take keeps its prompt, model and date. That is your AI disclosure.
Reel 7The road
From your desk to the red carpet.
- Entries openFilmmakers worldwide start submitting.
- DeadlineLast day to submit. Dubai time.You are here ·
- Top 10 and public voteAn international committee picks ten. The public votes.
- Top 5Five finalists go before a global audience.
- Premiere in DubaiThe Top 5 screen at the Summit.
- The $1,000,000 filmOne winner, announced live.
Reel 8The jury
100 points. Here is where they go.
- 30AI integrationSeedance carries the film. It does not decorate it.
- 30StorytellingOne story. A start, a turn, an ending.
- 20Creativity and aestheticA look nobody else would shoot.
- 20Technical executionClean 1080p. Clear sound. Readable subtitles.
Responsible, ethical AI use is required to enter. It is not scored.
Before the lights go down.
Is OpenClips part of the award?
No. OpenClips is not an organiser, sponsor or partner of the AI Film Award 2027. It plays no part in judging. The 1 Billion Followers Summit runs entry, eligibility, judging and the prize under its official terms.
Does Seedance on OpenClips count toward the 70%?
The award needs Seedance as the main video tool. Its terms say generation must use the tools the organiser requires or approves, as published on the award site. The organiser decides what qualifies, so read the official rules before you shoot.
Which Seedance should I shoot on?
Seedance 2.5 for most shots: up to 30 seconds a take, up to 1080p, sound included. Seedance 2.0 for 4K masters up to 15 seconds. Seedance 2.0 Fast for cheap drafts at 480p.
How many takes is a six-minute film?
Six minutes is 360 seconds. At 30 seconds a take, that is 12 takes. At 15 seconds, 24. Plan for retakes on top.
How do I keep the same character in every shot?
Make the character once in your Library. Tag it with @ in each prompt. On Seedance the face stays locked from take to take.
What goes in the AI disclosure?
The award asks for every model, tool, platform and version you used, the account, and each one’s share of the film. It can ask for prompts and generation history too. Your Library keeps each take with its prompt, model, settings and date.
What does it cost?
Entry is free. The organiser’s terms say so. Generation on OpenClips is paid per take, and the price is on the button before you press it. 1080p on Seedance 2.5 comes with Creator and up. Plans and packs are on the pricing page.
Do I keep the rights to my film?
The organiser says yes: applicants keep full ownership and copyright. Submitting grants the organiser a non-exclusive licence to screen, share, archive and promote the film. Read the terms for the details.
When are the key dates?
Entries close 20 November 2026, Dubai time. The Top 10 and the public vote start 15 December. The Top 5 are announced 25 December. They premiere at the Summit on 9 January 2027, and the winner is announced on 10 January.
Admit one · 1 Billion Followers Summit
Your film. The summit’s screen. 9 January 2027.
Shoot it on Seedance by 20 Nov. Submit it on the award site.
1080p on Seedance 2.5 comes with Creator and up. The price is on the button before you press it.
OpenClips is not an organiser, sponsor or partner of the 1 Billion Followers Summit or its AI Film Award 2027, and plays no part in judging. Entry, eligibility, judging and the prize are governed solely by the organiser’s official terms. Names and marks belong to their owners.