Mystery Challenge 2026
One mystery.
Infinite stories.
You won’t know what short film you’ll make until the competition begins. Create an original short film with AI, from a unique subject revealed to everyone at once, at the start.
Register for the Mystery ChallengeBuilding India’s AI cinema ecosystem
AI Cinema India promotes Indian cinema talent through AI-powered creativity, innovation and storytelling. We bring together talent, technology, funding and opportunity so every aspiring filmmaker can make at least one short film of outstanding quality.
Through competitions, education, networking, funding facilitation and production opportunities, our vision is to establish India as a global powerhouse of AI-powered cinema.
Turn an unexpected, spontaneous subject into an extraordinary short film
It could be few words, a sentence, a mythological event, a sci-fi situation, a spin off character story or a dramatic scene. Everyone starts at the same moment, which keeps the field level and rewards originality.
- RegisterIndividually or as a team, before the deadline.
- The mystery is revealedAnnounced to every participant at once.
- Imagine and developStory, screenplay, characters and vision.
- Create with AIImage, video, animation, voice, music and editing tools.
- Submit on timeWithin the announced competition duration.
- Jury and showcaseExpert evaluation and international recognition.
Who can enter, and how
Open to aspiring and professional filmmakers, students, AI artists, animators, writers, production companies and film enthusiasts. No previous experience is required.
- Registration Date
- Coming Soon!
- Competition
Start Date - Coming Soon!
- Upload Link
- Coming Soon!
- Submit
- Online Upload To
Our Google Form,
Google Cloud. - Required
- Your Name
Gmail address
Mobile Number - Subject
- Your official
mystery subject - Originality
- Made for this competition
- AI tools
- disclose major tools
- Resolution
- 1920 × 1080 or higher
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9
- Duration
- 3 to 10 minutes
- Assets
- Upload Assets
Image Files
Audio/Sound Files
How films are scored
Proposed awards
- Global AI Short Film of the Year
- Best Director
- Best Screenplay
- Best Cinematography
- Best AI Animation
- Best Visual Effects
- Best Sound Design & Music
- Most Creative Interpretation
- Best Emerging AI Filmmaker
- People’s Choice Award
Winners receive recognition, certificates and promotion, with possible mentorship, studio collaborations, workshops and access to investors and funding.
The mystery starts with you
One subject. One deadline. Unlimited imagination.
You’re registered
Thank you. We’ll email you when the mystery is announced.
Registration is free of any spam. Details are used only for competition updates.