Official Rules

1) Eligibility

• Open to all creators. Teams up to 4 members.
• Age 18+
• Not eligible: HCAI staff involved in judging.
• Grand Prize eligibility (additional requirements): Hawaiʻi resident; present in person at the showcase; submitted by September 7, 2025, 11:59 pm HST.
• Pre-register to hold your spot:  Pre-registration

2) Runtime & Format

• Runtime: 2–7 minutes.
• Credits may be included within the runtime or appended (≤15 seconds extra).
• English audio or burned-in English captions required for non-English dialogue (including mixed language).

3) AI Usage Requirement

Your film must meaningfully use AI in the creative process (e.g., story ideation, script assists, image/video generation, animation, upscaling, sound/music, voice, or editing). Purely manual projects without AI use are ineligible.

Disclosure: Provide a brief “tools & pipeline” note (50–150 words) naming models/tools and how they were used.

4) Content & Conduct

• Be respectful. No defamatory, hateful, harassing, or exploitative content.
• No unlawful content; no unconsented likeness/deepfakes of real people.
• Music, fonts, stock, datasets, and models must be licensed or permissible for your use.
• Safety: no dangerous activities presented as instructions without context.

5) Technical Specs

• File: MP4 (H.264), 1080p preferred (720p minimum), 24–30 fps, ≤  10GB.
• Aspect ratios accepted; ensure pillar/letterboxing as needed.
• Include 2–3 stills (JPEG/PNG) and a 100–200 word synopsis.

6) Submission & Deadlines

• Submission deadline: Submit by September 7, 2025, 11:59 pm HST via  Contest Entry Form.
• One entry per person/team. Late entries will not be considered.
• When submitting the film ensure it is exported at the highest video quality.

7) Selection & Screening

• HCAI will pre-screen for eligibility, rule compliance, and technical quality.
• Review by HCAI staff and volunteers will select the Top 3 Finalists for Grand Prize consideration.
• Talk Story requirement: Top 3 Finalists must be willing to briefly share (on-stage or recorded, ~3–5 minutes) about their process and tools.

8) Judging & People’s Choice

• Top 3 Finalists: Selected by HCAI staff and volunteers.
• Grand Prize: Determined by live audience vote at the event from the Top 3 Finalists.
• People’s Choice: Determined by live audience vote at the event from all screened entries.
• Rubric for selection (to choose Top 3): 100 points total
• Creativity & Storytelling – 30
• Technical Execution & AI Integration – 30
• Relevance to Theme – 20
• Impact & Originality – 20
• Ties: If a tie occurs in audience voting, a brief second ballot will be conducted. If still tied, HCAI will designate a tiebreak panel to decide.

9) Awards

• Grand Prize: Audience-selected from Top 3 Finalists; First place prize will be $1,000.
• People’s Choice: Audience-selected per Section 8; recognition at event.
• Awards are at HCAI’s discretion and may be subject to taxes/reporting where applicable.

10) Rights, Releases, and Privacy

Participation is governed by the Waiver & License Agreement (see below)

• By submitting, you confirm rights/permissions for all media.
• You grant HCAI a non-exclusive promotional license to use your film/stills solely to promote this event and Hawaii Center for AI programs (web, social, press, recaps, sizzle reels, thumbnails, trailers). You retain ownership; no resale or standalone commercial exploitation.
• Marketing Opt-Out: Don’t want marketing use? Email  hello@hawaiiai.org with subject “Marketing Opt-Out – [Film Title]”; HCAI will stop new uses within 10 business days and remove reasonably removable online materials. This does not affect screening, program listing, or existing printed/third‑party materials.
• Personal data is used only for administering the competition and notifications per HCAI privacy policy.
• If a conflict exists between these Rules and the posted terms, the posted terms control for licensing, privacy, and data use.

11) Limitations & Disqualification

HCAI may disqualify entries that:

• Violate these rules or the Waiver & License Agreement,
• Infringe third-party rights or fail to provide required permissions,
• Contain prohibited content or fail to meet technical specs,
• Misrepresent AI usage or provide false information.

12) Schedule Changes; Force Majeure

HCAI may modify dates, screening format, or prizes; updates will be posted on the official event page. In events beyond HCAI’s control (e.g., severe weather, venue issues, governmental actions), HCAI may postpone, modify, or cancel the showcase without liability.

13) Accessibility & Accommodations

If you need accommodations (e.g., caption files, seating), contact  hello@hawaiiai.org by 9/10/2025 ay 8:00am.

14) Contact

Questions:  hello@hawaiiai.org | Event page

15) Acceptance

Submitting an entry indicates you have read and agree to these Official Rules and the Waiver & License Agreement.