Dubai has announced two groundbreaking initiatives to boost global creativity and strengthen its position as a leader in digital innovation: a $1 million Global AI Film Award and a Dh50 million Creators Ventures Programme. The announcements were made by Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, during preparatory meetings for the 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026 at Creator HQ in Dubai.
The AI Film Award — the world’s first and largest prize dedicated to fully AI-generated films — will be launched in collaboration with Google Gemini. The competition will reward short films created entirely through artificial intelligence, from ideation and scripting to editing and post-production. Judges will assess entries based on creativity, storytelling, execution, and alignment with humanitarian themes. The top 10 films will premiere during the summit in January 2026, with full participation guidelines to be revealed in September.
“This award is a first step in showcasing what can be achieved when creativity meets AI,” said Alia Al Hammadi, Deputy Chairperson of the UAE Government Media Office.
In addition, Dubai launched the Dh50 million Creators Ventures Programme to support influencers and creative entrepreneurs through funding, mentorship, and global exposure. The programme will fund joint ventures, incubate talent, and collaborate with major platforms like TikTok and Snapchat. A hands-on Content Creators Accelerator track will allow individual creators to pitch projects to global investors, while a Content Creation Companies Pavilion will provide 100 SMEs with opportunities to showcase ideas and secure partnerships.
The 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026, set for January 9–11 at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, DIFC, and the Museum of the Future, will feature over 400 speakers under the theme “Content for Good”. The event is expected to reach more than three billion people worldwide, further cementing Dubai’s role as a global hub for content and innovation.
