WEDNESDAY 26 AUGUST 2026 · BRISBANE

The Australian AI Film Awards: Event Program

The Australian AI Film Awards: Event Program

The Australian AI Film Awards: Event Program

AI filmmaking has arrived in Australia. This is the afternoon it gets a room.

AI filmmaking has arrived in Australia. This is the afternoon it gets a room.

AI filmmaking has arrived in Australia. This is the afternoon it gets a room.

REGISTER FOR A FREE TICKET

REGISTER FOR A FREE TICKET

THE PRECINCT, BRISBANE

WEDNESDAY 26 AUGUST 2026

DOORS 1:00PM · AWARDS + LIVE FORUM 2:00–4:00PM · DRINKS FROM 4:00PM

DOORS 1:00PM · AWARDS + LIVE FORUM 2:00–4:00PM · DRINKS FROM 4:00PM

THE NEXT FRAME

A Live Industry Panel

A Live Industry Panel

A Live Industry Panel

What actually changes when the tool becomes the medium?

What actually changes when the tool becomes the medium?

A live conversation about where AI filmmaking is heading, how established parts of the screen industry are responding, what it costs to build this work, and what the emergence of generative filmmaking means for creators, studios and the Australian screen sector.

A live conversation about where AI filmmaking is heading, how established parts of the screen industry are responding, what it costs to build this work, and what the emergence of generative filmmaking means for creators, studios and the Australian screen sector.

MODERATED BY CRAIG SWANN · CO-DIRECTOR OF THE AUSTRALIAN AI FILM AWARDS

Julie Eckersley

Executive Director of Screen Content, Screen Queensland

How a state screen agency navigates a medium that arrived faster than the policy for it.

Jennie Zeiher

CEO of Alussein · Formerly Rising Sun Pictures

A perspective shaped by a career at the high end of VFX, looking at what this new form of production actually means to build.

Clayton Jacobson

Director of Kenny · CEO of Gunshy Cowboys

Twenty years inside traditional film and now creating with generative tools. A filmmaker crossing directly between established production and emerging AI filmmaking.

HOW THE AFTERNOON RUNS

One afternoon. One room. A new frame for Australian filmmaking.

One afternoon. One room. A new frame for Australian filmmaking.

One afternoon. One room. A new frame for Australian filmmaking.

1:00PM

1:00PM

Doors + Welcome Drink

Doors + Welcome Drink

A full hour to meet the community before the Awards begin.

Arrive early, grab a drink and meet the filmmakers, creators, screen professionals, technologists and founders joining us from across Australia.

Arrive early, grab a drink and meet the filmmakers, creators, screen professionals, technologists and founders joining us from across Australia.

2:00PM–4:00PM

2:00PM–4:00PM

The Australian AI Film Awards + Live Forum

The Australian AI Film Awards + Live Forum

Hosted by Jamie van Leeuwen, Co-Director of The Australian AI Film Awards and Founder of Absolutely AI.

Across the afternoon: the year’s winning AI films screened on the big screen; awards presented across six categories; THE NEXT FRAME, a live industry panel; a live presentation from Emma Barbato; and the filmmakers behind this year’s winning entries.

Across the afternoon: the year’s winning AI films screened on the big screen; awards presented across six categories; THE NEXT FRAME, a live industry panel; a live presentation from Emma Barbato; and the filmmakers behind this year’s winning entries.

4:00PM

4:00PM

Drinks + Networking

Drinks + Networking

Meet the filmmakers and community to keep the conversations going into the night

The Australian AI Film Awards flow directly into Something Fest Mid Week Drinks, 4:00–7:00pm.

The Australian AI Film Awards flow directly into Something Fest Mid Week Drinks, 4:00–7:00pm.

LIVE PRESENTATION

Emma Barbato

Emma Barbato

AWARD-WINNING AI CREATOR

Emma Barbato presents live on the new formats, identities and opportunities emerging through AI-powered content.

Emma Barbato

Award-winning AI creator

Live on the new formats, identities and opportunities emerging through AI-powered content.

THE AWARDS

Six awards, presented live.

Six awards, presented live.

Six awards, presented live.

The winning films will be screened as part of the afternoon.

Best Australian Film

Best Regional Australian Film

Best International Film

Music Video

Experimental

People’s Choice

THE AUSTRALIAN AI FILM AWARDS

Be in the room.

Be in the room.

Be in the room.

You don’t need to be an entrant. You don’t need to be an AI expert. If you make films, fund them, teach them, work in screen, build with emerging technology or simply want to see where storytelling goes next, this room is for you.

You don’t need to be an entrant. You don’t need to be an AI expert. If you make films, fund them, teach them, work in screen, build with emerging technology or simply want to see where storytelling goes next, this room is for you.

REGISTRATION IS FREE, BUT PLACES ARE LIMITED.

REGISTER FOR A FREE TICKET

REGISTER FOR A FREE TICKET

WEDNESDAY 26 AUGUST 2026 · THE PRECINCT, BRISBANE