Over 700 filmmakers from around the world have submitted their fully-AI generated artworks to the first AI-focused film festival hosted by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). The festival’s 35 finalists will be showcased in a screening on HKUST campus this Saturday, where the Best Film, Best Narrative, and Frontier Award will be announced.

Breakthrough Event in the AI Sector

The HKUST ‘AI Film Festival’ (AIFF) has garnered significant attention from the film industry and academia alike. The festival has received support from prominent figures in the film industry, including five-time Oscar winner Mr. Richard TAYLOR, Prof. Ting CAO, Dean of Photography at Beijing Film Academy, and Mr. Tim CHEUNG, Computer Animation Festival Chair of the SIGGRAPH Asia 2025. This collaboration demonstrates the festival’s commitment to showcasing cutting-edge AI technology in film-making.

Establishing a New Division

HKUST established a new Division of Arts and Machine Creativity (AMC) last July, aiming to nurture a new generation of art tech talents who can leverage AI technology to enhance and optimize creative processes across various art forms. The AMC will also host a full-day forum before the screening, featuring esteemed speakers such as Mr. Brian CONNOR, an acclaimed American visual effects artist celebrated for winning the Oscar’s Best Visual Effects for Dune, and Mr. Tony NGAI, Honorary Advisor of the Hong Kong Society of Cinematographers.

Impact on the Film Industry

AI is increasingly important for enhancing, streamlining, and optimizing creative processes in the film industry. The HKUST AIFF aims to showcase the potential of AI technology in redefining the future of cinema. The festival’s success demonstrates the growing recognition of AI’s transformative impact on the film industry.

Key Speakers

• Mr. Brian CONNOR, acclaimed American visual effects artist and Oscar winner for Best Visual Effects for Dune
• Mr. Tony NGAI, Honorary Advisor of the Hong Kong Society of Cinematographers
• Prof. Maneesh AGRAWALA, Director of the Brown Institute for Media Innovation at Stanford University

Fundraising Support

The AIFF has received invaluable support from esteemed partners, including the Asia Digital Art Exhibition, Stanford AI ShortFest 2025, and the MIT AI Filmmaking Hackathon. This support demonstrates the festival’s commitment to fostering a collaborative environment and stimulating discussions on the future of AI technology in the film industry.

HKUST’s Commitment to Art Tech

HKUST Provost Prof. GUO Yike stated, “Art Tech, an emerging focus area actively supported by the government, is rapidly transforming the art industry ecosystem. With the establishment of Hong Kong’s first division dedicated to arts and machine creativity last year, HKUST is committed to nurturing future talents who can leverage cutting-edge technologies in the art creation process.” The AIFF represents a significant milestone in this promotion of Art Tech.

Audience and Registration

For more information, please visit: https://cveu.github.io/event/hkustfilm2025.html or submit the registration form via: https://forms.gle/YFYo6ussx2fxhwVCA. Attend the screening session to witness the best of AI-generated artworks and participate in the discussions on the future of Art Tech.

Additional Resources

Download photos here: https://geco.ust.hk/download/press_release/2025/0415%20AI%20Film%20Festival/ Watch the trailer video here: https://youtu.be/jLYcMu5laXU View original content: https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ai-on-stage-hkust-debuts-ai-generated-film-festival-302429022.html

A New Horizon in Art Tech

The AI Film Festival marks a new milestone in the development of Art Tech in Hong Kong, highlighting the city’s aspirations to become a global arts and cultural hub. With the establishment of the Division of Arts and Machine Creativity and the AIFF, HKUST is committed to nurturing a new generation of art tech talents who can harness the power of AI to redefine the future of cinema.

The AIFF’s success demonstrates the growing recognition of AI’s transformative impact on the film industry, and the festival’s impact will be felt for years to come.