WAIFF2026: World's Largest AI Film Festival Coming to Kyoto in March!

The world's largest AI film festival, born in France in 2025, is finally coming to Japan. "WORLD AI FILM FESTIVAL (WAIFF) 2026 in KYOTO" is an international festival that supports new narrative expressions through "co-creation" between humans and AI. A media reception was held in Shinjuku, Tokyo today (January 26, 2026), and momentum is building for the main event in March. In this article, we will introduce the entire event that will pioneer the future of AI and film, together with members of AiCuty.

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🎬 Don't miss the world's largest AI film festival "WAIFF 2026 in Kyoto" held in Kyoto in March!

Hello! We're bringing you the latest event information from "AICU, Creating People Who Create in the AI Era"! There was a media reception in Tokyo today, January 26th. The Kyoto event in March 2026 is fast approaching, and we at AiCuty are so excited!

Leader Elena's Perspective: Two Days Connecting the Ancient City of Kyoto to the World!

Hello everyone, this is Elena from AiCuty. This time, I'm introducing the 'WORLD AI FILM FESTIVAL 2026 in KYOTO' (WAIFF KYOTO), which will be held at the Rohm Theatre Kyoto on March 12th (Thursday) and 13th (Friday), 2026. WAIFF was originally founded by former Apple COO Marco Landi, and the first festival in Nice, France in 2025 was a huge success, attracting over 1,500 entries from around the world! It's wonderful that the Japanese edition of such an amazing film festival is being held in Kyoto, and at a time of year when the signs of spring are in the air...♪

WAIFF 2026 - WAIFF

worldaifilmfestival.com WORLD AI FILM FESTIVAL EDITION 2026 WAIFF JAPAN - KYOTO Kyoto Competition_

https://worldaifilmfestival.com/

Investigation Manager Mina's Perspective: A Place for Deep Dialogue on the Relationship Between AI and Society.

From me, I'll be talking about the philosophical aspects of this film festival. WAIFF is not just a competition of technologies, but defines AI as a 'partner that expands human creativity'. According to materials from the reception, in addition to screenings, there will also be mock trials on copyright infringement, technology exhibitions, and panel discussions. Because it's led by the European research institute 'EuropIA Institute', it has a strong experimental aspect, questioning the very pros and cons of AI utilization and learning deeply. I think it's a very meaningful event.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marco_Landi.jpg

https://instituteuropia.eu/video/waiff-ceremonie-de-remise-des-prix

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeIYcu_YUNE

Technology Manager Nao's Perspective: A Next-Generation Media Mix Orchestrated by Former Apple COO.

I'm Nao, in charge of music and development technology. What I'm paying attention to is the breadth of categories in this film festival. Not only short and feature films, but also vertical micro-series for SNS, advertising videos, and even a category that combines scripts and AI teasers. Isn't this the perfect creation for the multi-device era we live in? Moreover, the outstanding works selected in Kyoto will also have the opportunity to be invited to the main festival 'WAIFF Cannes 2026' in Cannes, France, the mecca of film, held in April 2026. From an engineer's perspective, I'm also looking forward to seeing how technology can become a bridge to artistic expression, and its precision.

Video Manager Saki's Perspective: It's a "New Camera" That Delivers Unseen Thoughts.

"...It's my turn. I was impressed by what Ryoichi Wada, the Japanese representative of WAIFF, said: 'AI is not a tool to replace expression, but a new camera.' Ryoichi Wada is the author of the play 'GHOST IN THE BOX!', which was the original idea for the film 'One Cut of the Dead!'. After graduating from Meiji University, he has been active in a wide range of fields, including stage scriptwriting and directing, regional revitalization, and rap school management as the representative and creative director of the theater company PEACE. Currently, he also serves as the chairman of the board of an international animation production and entertainment association. I'm impressed that he's an AI film festival organizer from a creative background.

Mr. Ryoichi Wada

The judges for WAIFF2026 are also impressive. The judges include Yuichiro Saito from Studio Chizu and novelist Otsuichi, all professionals in weaving stories.

World AI Film Festival 2026 in KYOTO

worldaifilmfestival.jp Japan's largest AI film festival "World AI Film Festival 2026 in KYOTO" will be held in Kyoto in March 2026

https://worldaifilmfestival.jp/jury/

At the press conference, Daiki Sakurai (Netflix), who is WAIFF2026 judge, commented on WAIFF's mission statement (organizational guidelines) as follows.

WAIFF is an international film festival for creators who create the future of film with AI. We see AI as a "powerful partner that expands human creativity."

Therefore, WAIFF is not only a place to challenge new creations, but also an experimental creative space to question the pros and cons of AI utilization, and to have deep dialogue and learn about how to make the most of AI and innovate expression. Through the works born from here, we will prove to the world the value created by "co-creation" between humans and AI, and the next generation of talent will spread their wings beyond national borders. That is the future that we at WAIFF envision. WAIFF will lead the new era in which humans and AI create together. WAIFF JAPAN Executive Committee December 2025

WAIFF MISSION STATEMENT

As Otsuichi said in his comment, "I'm excited to encounter images that show individual dreams in their purest form," as if he had been given a way to shape stories that should never have been realized. I would like to find mysterious and beautiful mirror images in Kyoto that I have never seen in the film industry system."

Image Manager Mei's Perspective: Prize Money of 1 Million Yen!? Creators Must Challenge Themselves!

I'm Mei, in charge of image generation! What's amazing about this film festival is that the prize money is so luxurious! The 'Best AI Film Award', 'Best AI Anime Award', and the 'PocketANIME Award' for smartphone anime are all 1 million yen each! It's not just for video production by large companies! It's a chance for individual creators to stand out! If I were Mei, I would definitely take on the challenge! The deadline for applications is 11:59 PM on Sunday, February 15, 2026, so there's still about a month left! I want you to hone your prompts and create your own best piece! Check out the official website and account for details!