As creation evolves, evaluation moves forward.
Since its beginnings in 2024, HKAIIFF has explored how AI changes moving-image creation. For 2027, seven Unicorn Awards recognise complete works, continuing creative achievements and new narrative, audiovisual and experiential expression.
Developing appropriate ways to evaluate AI-native film remains the festival’s mission. Emotion, thought, culture and completeness still matter; the new framework helps different creative approaches be understood accurately. The 2026 awards and laureate records remain intact.
One highest honour · Three creative achievements · Three forms of expression
Eligibility and AI-native creation
The submitted version must have been completed on or after 1 August 2026. No premiere is required: previously published works or films entered elsewhere may apply if they meet the other conditions. There is no universal minimum runtime.
AI must play a substantive role in principal audiovisual material, performance, narrative organisation, generative rules or audience experience. There is no fixed AI-use percentage for 2027. Explain its role and human creative decisions through the work, concise context and assessable evidence. Subtitling, denoising, upscaling or administrative assistance alone does not establish eligibility.
Submit a complete assessable film or audiovisual work. A trailer, concept pitch, tool demo or collection of fragments cannot replace it. Dynamic works need a defined experience scope, submitted version and stopping conditions. Explain special equipment or accessibility needs in advance.
Dates, fees and a complete entry
Entries run from 1 October 2026 to 1 March 2027, closing at 23:59 Hong Kong time (UTC+8). The fee is US$99 per work, with no additional award application fee for applicable expression awards or associated Silver achievements. There are no early-bird or late-entry tiers.
Complete formal entry at hkaiiff.io. An account, draft, payment, INDEX record and accepted submission are distinct states. After supplying required information, the full work, declarations and payment, check the application confirmation and any outstanding items. Festival dates, venues and award resources will be announced separately.
Permissions, publication and INDEX
The necessary review permission covers eligibility checks, judging, technical testing and application processing. Public screening, promotional excerpts, public INDEX records and commercial cooperation require separate confirmation. Declining optional publicity or market cooperation does not affect professional evaluation.
You may reference an existing INDEX record you are authorised to use and confirm its version. If direct import is unavailable, include its link in the materials. Buying INDEX is not required. Entry, nomination and awards do not transfer existing rights or guarantee distribution, transactions or income.
2026 awards & records
Historical record · 2026. This page preserves that edition’s framework. For 2027 entries, use the current edition guide.
2026 awards & records · HKAIIFF