Submit through our FilmFreeway page at filmfreeway.com/DaseinFilmFestival. New themes are announced every two months — films made in response to a specific theme consistently perform best with our jury. Your existing submission stays on file; no need to resubmit.

Short films that engage seriously with consciousness, identity, memory, authorship, and the relationship between humans and machines. We don't look for AI as a gimmick or a backdrop — we look for films where the use of AI is part of the inquiry itself. Under 5 minutes with genuine depth is essentially a guaranteed place in the program.

For Continuum screenings, under 10 minutes gives you the best chance. Under 5 minutes with a strong story is close to a guaranteed screening. Films up to 20 minutes may be considered — but only one per event, never two. Over 20 minutes cannot be accommodated in our current format, though this will change as the festival expands toward a full-day structure in 2027.

The main festival recognized seven categories: Dasein Grand Prize, Best AI-Integrated Narrative, Best Experimental Vision, Best Documentary / Essay Film, Emergent Artist Award, Most Insane Story Award, and Audience Award. The Continuum series features one award per edition: the Audience Award, voted live on the night.

Award winners receive a hand-crafted Qreine hat — a wearable artwork made by festival founder Ilgaz "Q" Kuren — and a signed copy of Raising AI by Dekai, founder of the Empathetic AI Institute. The Grand Prize winner also receives an original canvas painting by Ilgaz "Q" Kuren. All selected filmmakers receive official festival laurels and visibility across Dasein's platforms.

RSVP through Partiful — link at partiful.com/e/Ji0O7myhZXgKRj1ARl3K. Entry is $13. Capacity is limited. Early arrival is recommended. Screenings take place at Upcider, 1160 Polk St FL 2, San Francisco.