The Reply AI film festival is making waves once again as it returns to the Venice Film Festival in September for its third edition. This year, the festival is showcasing ten finalists who have pushed the boundaries of cinematic storytelling using AI technologies. The selected films explore a range of compelling themes, from the impact of war to the experience of blindness and even an imaginary world where births have ceased.
The finalists were chosen from a pool of over 3,000 submissions, all experimenting with AI tools and technologies. The festival’s theme for 2026, “Imaginatio Nova” encourages creators to explore new dimensions of imagination where human creativity meets artificial intelligence. The award ceremony will take place on September 6 coinciding with the Venice Film Festival, which this year features its first-ever AI-made feature in the Official Selection.
The Jury: A Gathering of Industry Experts
The jury for this year’s Reply AI Film Festival is a distinguished group of industry professionals. Gabriele Salvatores an Oscar-winning director known for his work on Mediterraneo presides over the jury. Joining him are acclaimed filmmakers Rob Minkoff (The Lion King) and Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight), as well as Jed Weintrob director and partner at creative studio 30 Ninjas.
The jury also includes Giacomo Mineo a VFX supervisor for films like Oppenheimer and The Odyssey and Christina Lee Storm a producer with experience at DreamWorks Animation and Netflix. Other notable members are journalists Brian Welk and Denise NegriReply Chief Technology Officer Filippo Rizzante and Guillem Martinez Roura AI & Robotics Lead for the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Completing the lineup is Jacopo Reale winner of the 2026 Reply prize for Love at First Sight.
Special Awards and Recognition
In addition to the award for Best Short Film the jury will present two special awards. The AI for Good Award will recognize the short film that best interprets the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Reply AI Studios Grand Prix will go to the project demonstrating the highest levels of innovation and excellence in using AI throughout the creative process.
The winners will be announced on September 6 on the fringes of the Venice Film Festival, which this year is showcasing its first-ever AI-made feature in the Official Selection. The documentary Be Brave directed by Francesco Carrozzini focuses on the founder of the Diesel fashion labelRenzo Rosso.
The Finalists: A Glimpse into the Future of Film
The ten finalists represent a diverse range of styles and themes, each utilizing AI tools to bring their visions to life. Here’s a closer look at the selected films:
A Face Only A Mother Could Love
Created by Robert Gaudette this film follows a solitary Parisian dancer convinced of his own beauty. When a woman who has secretly watched him for years approaches him, their interaction leads to a profound connection. The film uses GrokNano Banana and Seedance to translate the visual narrative.
Centenarian Kindergarten
Produced by 2xLabs a creative studio from China, this dystopian film is set in 2090, where births have ceased. Four centenarians escape from a sterile facility enforced by AI assistants, seeking to reclaim their human imperfections. The film employs Nano Banana Pro and Jimeng SeedAce 2 to create precise visuals.
GO HOME
Directed by Simone Paradiso this science-fiction adventure is set in New York in 1999. Four teenagers discover a hidden military bunker, leading to a mysterious connection with a solitary girl in the group. The film uses Higgsfield Soul CinemaGPT Image 2.0 and Seedance 2.0 to bring the story to life.
Kev
Created by Mike Bennion this intimate exploration delves into the personal experience of blindness, highlighting the relationships and aspects of everyday life that matter most. The film utilizes MidjourneyNano BananaKlingVeo 3 and ElevenLabs to overcome economic barriers and create a deeply personal narrative.
Le Drip
Directed by Alex Naghavi and Ezra Li this animated film depicts the last day on Earth through living oil paintings. The dense, textured brushstrokes explore human emotion, with the film utilizing Nano BananaClaudeSeedance and Runway.
The remaining finalists, including Little MesOnce Upon a Time on the Dnieper RiverPassengerThe Child of the Sea and Website each bring unique perspectives and innovative use of AI technologies to the festival.
