CLOWD, a brand new AI Film Festival featuring a global competition along with a live, Fall 2026, two-day film festival event in Los Angeles has launched its global competition.
Founder Curt Doty states, “We created CLOWD with the intent of inviting AI Filmmakers from around the world to submit their short films to an international competition and festival built for “What’s Next.” Unlike other AI festivals, CLOWD puts creators first—respecting IP, integrating crowd-sourced voting, leveraging qualified judges, and drawing on the expertise of seasoned indie film festival operators. The CLOWD AI Film Festival aims to lead the charge in shaping the next frontier of cinematic innovation.”
Five winners will be selected from 20 semi-finalists through a combination of public and judge voting. Cash prizes will be awarded, and in addition all winners will receive a one-year subscription to ElevenLabs Creator plus and 12 months access to Sinima.ai on Creator Core + 200 AI Credits each. In addition, all finalists will receive one (1) year of complimentary Rad TV Creator+ premium access.
Through panel discussions, competitions, and exclusive screenings, the festival will give creators a platform to showcase their work, engage with industry leaders, and inspire audiences with what’s possible when AI meets storytelling.
CLOWD will premiere the week before LA Tech Week at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA for its First Annual AI Film Festival event October 7 and 8.
The event is actively seeking additional sponsors. In the meantime, AI Filmmakers can take advantage of early-bird pricing for $38 per entry. For sponsorship opportunities, visit
https://www.clowdfilmfest.com/sponsors.
Says Doty, “To celebrate and evangelize the integration of AI in filmmaking, CLOWD is designed to showcase AI-driven narratives, nurture a global community of AI video creators, and establish AI filmmaking as a unique and evolving category in the creative arts. This festival will highlight not only films made with AI tools but also explore the ethical implications, creative potential, and future of AI-powered storytelling.”
“We believe that while technology currently leads, it will soon be followed by storytellers. Let’s move past the experimental sensation and develop truly profound, human stories. Our goal is to empower the next generation of storytellers,” Doty adds.
Advisor Tony Mugavero, CEO of Rad TV, the Official Streaming, Voting & Community Partner of CLOWD, underscores the significance of the CLOWD AI Film Festival, “We are incredibly proud to partner with CLOWD for this landmark event. Rad TV has always been dedicated to pushing the boundaries of how audiences consume content, and the CLOWD AI Film Festival represents the absolute cutting edge of that mission. By providing a professional stage for AI filmmakers while strictly protecting their intellectual property, CLOWD is setting a new gold standard for the industry. We believe that the fusion of human creativity and artificial intelligence is the next great chapter in cinema, and we are thrilled to help bring these visionary works to the big screen where they belong.”
CLOWD Judge Ulrike Kerber, Founder of Viva, adds, “I’m excited to see Curt launch this new AI Film Festival and showcase work that feels fresh and has never been seen before. It’s a powerful reminder that while storytelling remains a craft, the ways we create and produce films are rapidly evolving. What matters most is that talented creators are using these tools to push boundaries and explore new forms of cinematic expression.”
CLOWD AI Film Festival Advisor Andy Beach, CEO of Alchemy Creations, frames the broader shift, “The next phase of filmmaking isn’t about replacing creatives, it’s about reformatting the system around them. AI turns production into something more iterative, more programmable, and more accessible. What CLOWD is doing is creating a space where that shift can play out in the open, with creators still owning the work and the outcome. That’s a meaningful step forward.”
Sponsor Tim Tennant, Executive Producer and CMO at Vertex, adds: “The CLOWD Film Festival will showcase the best creative AI talent to date. Curt Doty has been at the forefront of AI creative and has his finger on the creative pulse of AI's current and future impact on Hollywood. As AI tools evolve, human talent across the entire entertainment storytelling ecosystem will use these tools to deliver exciting and world-illuminating experiences.”
"At The Human AI Innovation Commons, we believe human-AI collaboration produces something neither could achieve alone — and CLOWD is proof of that principle in action. Festivals like this don't just celebrate creative work; they establish new norms for how that work is owned, valued, and shared. HAIIC exists to support exactly these kinds of projects — where the ethical alignment of technology and human authorship isn't an afterthought, but the foundation. We're proud to stand behind CLOWD and the storytellers it will bring to light,” said Jeff Boortz, Founder & CEO, HAIIC —
The Human-AI Innovation Commons
Miles Williams, Artistic Director of The Alex Theatre continues, “The Alex Theatre has always been a place where groundbreaking storytelling and new creative voices come together, making CLOWD a natural fit for our stage. As technology continues to transform our creative lives, we’re proud to host a festival that explores the future of cinematic expression while bringing artists, innovators, and audiences together in our amazing historic theatre.”
The CLOWD AI Film Festival proudly includes industry leaders like Andy Beach, Peter Csathy, Tim Tennant and Chris Gannett, who have been advising Doty and his team. In addition, companies and organizations like ElevenLabs, RAD TV, and SHAIKE are also involved in helping to develop this effort. On the heels of the success of AI on the Lot, with over 2,000 attendees last week, Doty feels confident that LA is the place to launch this event.
About CLOWD AI Film Festival's Founder
CLOWD founder Curt Doty
With a legacy spanning branding, marketing, and product development for over 50 Fortune 500 companies, Doty is a former NBCUniversal creative executive. During the course of his 40-year career, he has marketed hundreds of movies, and led entertainment branding campaigns across major television networks, while pioneering early innovations in film and mobile with Apple, and Microsoft.
Doty has directed branding efforts for the Santa Fe International Film Festival for seven years, and has served as a judge for the Emmys, Effies, Clios, Silicon Valley Film Festival, and the Arlington Film Festival.
An AI Evangelist, podcast host of
RealmIQ: Sessions, and speaker at global events including Digital Hollywood, Streaming Media, and Davos Worldwide, Doty continues to shape the intersection of storytelling, technology, and innovation.