The Rome AI Film Festival (RAIF) returns on September 19, 2026, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting dates on the calendar for anyone working at the intersection of AI and film. Billed as “the AI Festival for all the Creatives,” RAIF brings together the world’s most inventive AI filmmakers in one of the most beautiful cities on earth. Here’s why it belongs on your 2026 list — whether you want to attend, submit, or both.

1. See the best AI films in the world, on the big screen

RAIF curates the strongest AI films from a global pool of 430+ submissions and screens them for a live audience. It’s the rare chance to experience AI cinema the way it’s meant to be seen — together, on the big screen — and to discover the creators defining a brand-new art form. Curious what qualifies? See what is an AI film.

2. Win recognition across four categories

The festival awards Best AI Animation, Best Narrative, Best Documentary, and Best Experimental — so there’s a home for every kind of film. Because the field is still young, an award or selection now carries real weight, marking you as a pioneer of the medium. See how the categories work.

3. Network with the people shaping AI film

RAIF draws filmmakers, producers, AI creatives, developers, founders, investors, and artists from around the world. Few places put that mix in one room. Whether you’re looking for collaborators, funding, or your next opportunity, the connections you make here can change your trajectory — especially with an AI Insider Pass built for professional networking.

4. It’s remarkably accessible

You don’t need a studio budget to take part:

• Attendee Pass — free for a limited time

• Creator Pass — $9, and it includes film submission rights

• AI Insider Pass — $99, with VIP access and networking

Compared to traditional festivals, that’s an unusually low barrier to being part of something global.

5. Do it in Rome

Few cities inspire like Rome. Screening or attending a festival here — where millennia of art and storytelling meet the newest creative technology on earth — is an experience in itself. It’s the perfect backdrop for a festival about the future of imagination.

6. Be early to a movement

AI filmmaking is moving from novelty to art form in real time, and RAIF sits at the center of it. Being part of the festival now — as a creator or an attendee — puts you at the front of a movement that’s only going to grow. As festival director Riccardo Vincenzi has built it, RAIF is a global crossroads for AI-assisted storytelling.

How to get involved

• Attend: grab a free Attendee Pass while they last.

• Submit: enter your film via FilmFreeway with a Creator Pass — see how to submit your AI film.

• Plan your visit: get the full details in our Rome AI Film Festival 2026 guide.

Frequently asked questions

Why should I attend the Rome AI Film Festival?
To see the world’s best AI films, connect with the people shaping AI cinema, and be part of Italy’s premier generative AI film event on September 19, 2026.

Is it worth it for creators?
Yes — global exposure, four award categories, and networking, with an accessible $9 Creator Pass that includes submission rights.

Who attends?
Filmmakers, producers, AI creatives, developers, founders, investors, and artists from around the world.

How do I get involved?
Attend with a free or paid pass, or submit your film via FilmFreeway with a Creator Pass.

Ready to be part of it? Get your pass and join the Rome AI Film Festival on September 19, 2026.