Google and 1 Billion Followers Summit are giving one AI filmmaker $1 million

UAE creator conference 1 Billion Followers Summit (1BFS) and Google have partnered to run a $1 million generative AI film competition.

“At Google, we believe AI should amplify creativity and support creators,” Anthony Nakache, Google’s Managing Director of MENA, said in a statement. “We want Google Gemini to give every aspiring storyteller, regardless of their budget or available equipment, the power of our advanced models to bring ideas to life.”

People interested in entering must submit a 7-to-10-minute film that’s at least 70% AI-generated. They must use Google’s various generative tools, including Gemini, Imagen, Veo, and Flow, “as well as any third-party tools that use Google Gemini as underlying technology,” organizers said. Applicants can use any other tools or software for “supplemental editing,” but have to use Google’s proprietary tools for the actual core video generation.

1BFS and Google say submissions should be “creative” and “visually realistic,” and should address one of two topics:

• “Rewrite Tomorrow,” which should “inspirationally [explore] the shape of the future”
• or “The Secret Life Of,” “demonstrating that everything around us has an unseen, untold story

All submissions must be filed by Nov. 20, 2025. From Nov. 21-Dec. 4, a panel of judges will evaluate them based on storytelling, creativity, AI integration, execution, and thematic excellence. The top 10 selected films will be open to public voting Dec. 10-15.

The top five films will be announced on Jan. 3 and screened Jan. 10 during the upcoming 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai. The creator(s) of the winning film will receive $1 million.

1BFS and Google say they’re open to submissions from anyone, but participants “need to be actively producing content on social media” in order to be considered. Films can be in any language, but must be subtitled in English.

Google of course has its own reasons for propagating the usage of AI; as for the UAE, the entire nation has “proactively integrated AI into its education system, teaching it as a core subject from kindergarten through 12th grade,” Saeed Al Eter, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Projects and Chairman of the UAE Government Media Office, said in a statement.

“This award launches at a pivotal moment marked by rapid transformation in film, visual production, and content creation,” the Deputy Minister added. “Creativity is no longer confined to large studios and massive budgets, as anyone with a mobile device and a vibrant imagination can now create. Artificial intelligence will further amplify human creativity, enabling us to tell more stories, connect with larger audiences, and inspire billions around the globe.”

As we mentioned, top films for the competition will be shown at 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026, which will run Jan. 9-11. Organizers expect to welcome more than 30,000 content creators, entrepreneurs, and industry experts to the Emirates Towers, Museum of the Future, and International Financial Centre in Dubai.

You can check out tickets here.

1 Billion Followers Summit is a Tubefilter partner.