I have one finished AI film and a limited budget. Which festival should I enter first?

Start with eligibility and your purpose, rather than an unverified “best festival” ranking. Make a shortlist where your film’s length, format, completion date, AI process and premiere history fit. Decide whether your priority is jury recognition, screening, technical feedback, collaborators or distribution conversations. For HKAIIFF 2027, compare your work against the published completion date of 1 August 2026 or later, the 51% AI participation standard and category rules; the published entry fee is US$99 per work and no premiere is required. Add any translation, subtitling, travel and delivery costs to your budget. Review past selected works, jury methodology and the rights you grant before paying. A market enquiry or MCN application may fit a commercial or long-term collaboration goal better, but neither replaces festival entry or guarantees a return on the fee.

Reviewed · 2026-09-14