Slamdance gives AI filmmakers until 6 October to enter

AI filmmakers have until Tuesday 6 October 2026 to enter the next Slamdance Film Festival, with the independent festival actively encouraging films made using artificial intelligence to apply. The 2027 event takes place across Los Angeles from 18 to 24 February 2027.

Slamdance accepts conventional films alongside experimental digital work, but AI creators are specifically directed towards its Digital, Interactive and Gaming programme, known as DIG. The category includes AI-driven film and music alongside virtual reality, games, interactive documentaries and other emerging forms of storytelling.

What can AI filmmakers submit?

Films made through or with AI are strongly encouraged to enter the DIG section rather than being treated as ineligible because of the technology used. Slamdance accepts work from around the world and does not disqualify projects simply because they have already premiered elsewhere or were completed some time ago.

The final extended deadline is 6 October, with entries closing at 11.59pm Pacific Time. DIG submissions currently cost $90 during the extended period, while feature films cost $130 and the festival's 99-second experimental category costs $39.99.

Creators selected for DIG are expected to attend the festival and manage their own installation or presentation where necessary. Travel costs and financial compensation are not provided, so international filmmakers need to factor that into any decision to submit.

When will filmmakers know?

Successful entrants are due to be notified on 17 December 2026, giving selected filmmakers around two months before the February festival. Accepted creators must also be able to confirm that they own the necessary rights to their work and its individual components.

Slamdance has built its reputation around independent and first-time filmmakers rather than studio productions. Its explicit invitation to AI filmmakers gives creators using generative tools access to a festival with a much broader filmmaking history than events built solely around artificial intelligence.