Curious Refuge Presents

THE SECOND ANNUAL
AI HORROR FILM COMPETITION

WE ARE BACK!

Welcome to the 2024 AI Horror Film Competition.

We are thrilled to announce the second annual AI Horror Film competition hosted by Curious Refuge. This is your chance to showcase your storytelling skills and earn serious cash prizes! Submissions are now open. You have until October 18th at 11 AM PST to submit your project. Voting will end on October 24th at 11 AM pacific.

This is your chance to win up to $1,500 in cash prizes.

You can download the full brief and view the judging criteria by clicking the rules button below. Judges will select the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, but the audience favorite will be determined by the community.

Winners will be announced on October 29th.

THE PRIZES

1st Place

First Place will Win:

  • $1,500 USD

  • Free Enrollment in a Curious Refuge Course

  • Shout Out on Curious Refuge Social Platforms

  • This Creepy Baked Tater Friend

  • AI Filmmaking Sweatshirt

2nd Place

Second Place will Win :

  • $1000 USD

  • Free Enrollment in a Curious Refuge Course

  • Shout Out on Curious Refuge Social Platforms

  • These Comfy Sushi Shoes

  • AI Filmmaking Sweatshirt

3rd Place

Third Place will Win:

  • $500 USD

  • Free Enrollment in a Curious Refuge Course

  • Shout Out on Curious Refuge Social Platforms

  • This Saltine Pillow

  • AI Filmmaking Sweatshirt

Audience Favorite

The Film with the most votes will be given the award of ‘Audience Favorite.’ The Audience Favorite will receive:

  • $250 USD

  • Free Enrollment in a Curious Refuge Course

  • AI Filmmaking Sweatshirt


LAST YEAR’S WINNERS

1st Place

Monsters Anonymous
by Jonathan Bunio

2nd Place

The Framed Presence
by Beto Padreca

3rd Place

The Sound of Hell
by Jason Kohen

THE JUDGES

Caleb Ward

Co-Founder of Curious Refuge

Shelby Ward

Co-Founder of Curious Refuge
(She doesn’t like to be scared)

Tim Simmons

Founder of theoretically Media

Dave Clark

Filmmaker / Curious Refuge Instructor

Lion El Aton

Founder of Film Crux

Stacey Kelly

Director and AI Storyteller


Rules FAQ

  1. AI must be used to generate every shot.

  2. Royalty-free, non-AI music, and sound effects are allowed.

  3. You can use subject replacement tools like Wonder Studio to generate character movements, but live-action backgrounds must be manipulated with AI in each shot.

  4. Your submission must not be longer than 5 minutes.

  5. Your Submission must thematically be in the genre of Horror/Halloween, but it doesn’t have to be scary.

  6. Projects must be submitted no later than October 18th at 11 AM PST.

  7. You can use live-action assets, but the underlying core visuals and composition must be AI.

  8. 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