2026 AI Horror Film Competition

CLOSED

Verified on Nov 2, 2026 · Source: curiousrefuge.com

Submission deadline: Oct 9, 2026 · 11:59 PM Pacific

• Prize: $12K cash
• Entry: Free
• Runtime: No more than 3 minutes long
• AI requirements: Any AI tool
• Eligibility: Worldwide
• Categories: Horror, Narrative

Important dates

• Extended / final deadline: Oct 9, 2026
• Winners announced: Oct 29, 2026

Prize details

1st Place: $7,000 USD , Free Enrollment in a Curious Refuge Course, Shout Out on Social Platforms, AI Filmmaking Sweatshirt. 2nd Place: $3,000 USD , Free Enrollment, Shout Out, Sweatshirt. 3rd Place: $2,000 USD , Free Enrollment, Shout Out, Sweatshirt. Audience Favorite: Free Enrollment, Free T-Shirt.

Rules

AI must be used in every shot. Music and sound effects must come from Epidemic Sound. Max 3 minutes. Original ideas only (no third-party IP). Include the required end card.

Winners

• 1st place ($7,000): Kagome by Sasha Fevralskaya (source)
• 2nd place ($3,000): Nix by Christian Thornell (source)
• 3rd place ($2,000): Trick or Trend by Nikita Guk (source)
• Audience Favorite: John-O'-Lantern by Artem Krykun (source)

Related

More: AI horror film contests

• The Chroma Awards (deadline Jan 7, 2027)
• Hollywood AI Short Film Awards (deadline Jan 11, 2027)
• Sin Cámara 2027 — Festival de cortos IA en español (deadline May 5, 2027)
• AI Toronto Genre Awards (deadline May 22, 2027)

Official source: curiousrefuge.com · checked Nov 2, 2026

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