HKAIIFF
HKAIIFFHong Kong AI International Film Festival

HKAIIFF · 2026 / PATHWAY

From a city sprint to the Festival, in 9 honest steps.

We want to be precise about what HKAIIFF AI Film Hackathon gives a creator, and what it does not. Below is the actual sequence — not a hype reel.

  1. Step 01

    Register

    Sign up at hkaiiff.com — pick a city station and one of six tracks. Solo or 1–5 person team.

  2. Step 02

    72-hour On-Site Sprint

    Create at the city station with peers and mentors. Treat AI as a creative partner — the Conductor framework, not the autopilot.

  3. Step 03

    7-Day Online Refinement

    Polish your work, get tool-partner support, get jury & mentor feedback before final submission.

  4. Step 04

    City Station Jury Review

    Each station's jury — local filmmakers, AI technologists, industry voices — reviews finished works and selects winners by track.

  5. Step 05

    Earn HKAIIFF City Selection Seat

    Selected projects earn the 11-benefit City Selection Seat — vault archive, creator registry, recommendation, market access, academy, brand match, hospitality, and more.

  6. Step 06

    Official Submission via Global Submission Center

    Recommended Submission status is a flag in the system — your project still completes formal submission through the HKAIIFF Global Submission Center.

  7. Step 07

    Festival Selection Committee Review

    All submissions are reviewed by the official HKAIIFF selection committee. Recommended Submission status is visible to reviewers but does not guarantee selection.

  8. Step 08

    Possible Festival Selection

    Selected projects join the official Festival programme — screening, panel, and awards consideration in Hong Kong, 17–23 July 2026.

  9. Step 09

    Awards & Beyond

    Whether selected or not, City Selection Seat holders stay in the HKAIIFF Creator Registry and vault — discoverable for the next year's brand briefs, residencies, and academy programmes.

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Important notice.

Earning a HKAIIFF Recommended Submission slot does not equal automatic selection, screening, or any award at the Festival. All selected projects must complete formal submission through the HKAIIFF Global Submission Center. Final selection, programming, and award decisions rest solely with the official jury of the Hong Kong AI International Film Festival.