THE THIRD ANNUAL AI HORROR
FILM COMPETITION
We are back. The Third Annual AI Horror Film Competition is here.
This is by far our favorite competition every single year.
Every year we are blown away by all of the submissions. From creepy horror films to hilarious Halloween-themed films, every year the bar of excellence moves up, and we are amazed.
Submissions are now open. You have until October 16th at 11:59 PM Pacific to submit your project.
We have $12,000 in cash prizes, so take your time and make sure you create something impressive.
You can check out the full brief and view the judging criteria by clicking the rules button below. A panel of professional creative judges will select the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, but the audience favorite will be determined by you and the community!
Voting for the audience favorite will open on October 21st at 11 AM Pacific and will close on October 28th at 11 AM Pacific.
Winners will be announced on Thursday, October 30th.
Brought to You By…
Curious Refuge is the world’s first online home for AI filmmakers. We create online training to help artists contextualize AI tools while pushing the limits of AI art.
Epidemic Sound is a global royalty-free soundtrack company providing world-class music and sound effects for creative people around the world.
Check out the Rules and Get a Free Month of Epidemic Sound ->
Leonardo AI is a creative AI platform that lets artists produce high-quality, consistent visuals with ease. It’s known for its fine-tuned models, texture tools, and strong control over style and character design.
This Year’s Winners…
1st Place Winner
The Missing Segment by Sam Lavy
The First Place Winner Will Receive:
$7,000 USD
Leonardo Creative Partnership Membership
Free Enrollment in a Curious Refuge Course
Shout Out on Curious Refuge Social Platforms
2nd Place Winner
Morphe by The Garra Sisters
The Second Place Winner Will Receive:
$3,000 USD
Leonardo Creative Partnership Membership
Free Enrollment in a Curious Refuge Course
Shout Out on Curious Refuge Social Platforms
3rd Place Winner
Clinical Calm by Dorothy Pang
The Third Place Winner Will Receive:
$2000 USD
Leonardo Creative Partnership Membership
Free Enrollment in a Curious Refuge Course
Shout Out on Curious Refuge Social Platforms
AUDIENCE FAVORITE AWARD WINNER
Jokhini by Raj Rishi
The Audience Favorite Winner Will Receive:
Leonardo Creative Partnership Membership
Free Enrollment in a Curious Refuge Course
A Free Curious Refugw T Shirt
CHECK OUT THE FULL LIST OF
FINALISTS BELOW!
THE JUDGES
Shelby Ward
Co-Founder and COO of Curious Refuge
Verena Puhm
AI Filmmaker and Head of Dreamab’s LA Studio
Spooky Dan
AI Filmmaker and Horror Film Fanatic
Matthew Pierce
Creator of MattVidPro AI
Jessie Hughes
Senior Creative Technologist at Leonardo.Ai
Dale Williams
AI Filmmaker and ‘The Reel Robot’on X
AI Horror Film Competition Rules FAQ
AI must be used in every shot.
You must use Epidemic Sound for music and sound effects. Use the link on our rules page for a 30-day free trial.
Subject replacement tools like Runway Act-Two may be used to generate character movements and replace the subject or backgrounds.
Your submission must be no more than 3 minutes long.
Your idea must be original and not connected to existing 3rd party Intellectual Property.
Projects must be submitted no later than October 16 at 11:59 PM Pacific.
You must include the required end card at the end of your film. (Download on the rules page)
Need Inspiration? Check out our AI Film Gallery