Curious Refuge AI Horror Film Competition 2026: $12,000 in Cash Prizes

Make a short AI horror film that is scary, funny, strange, or Halloween-ready

Curious Refuge’s fourth annual AI Horror Film Competition is open for original genre films built with publicly available AI tools. Every shot must be AI-generated or substantially transformed with AI, while story, sound, pacing, atmosphere, and emotional impact remain central to the judging.

Contest details

• Deadline: October 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
• Who can enter: AI filmmakers worldwide; collaboration is allowed.
• Entry fee: No separate contest fee is stated. An Epidemic Sound account is required for the soundtrack, and the organizer offers a 30-day trial.
• Video length: Maximum three minutes.
• Entry limit: Up to two original films per entrant.
• Rating: Keep the project around a PG-13 level so it can be shared publicly.
• Public post: Share the finished film on at least one social platform, tag Curious Refuge and Epidemic Sound, and include #CuriousRefuge and #EpidemicSound.

Prizes

• First place: $7,000, a Curious Refuge course, social promotion, and merchandise
• Second place: $3,000, a Curious Refuge course, social promotion, and merchandise
• Third place: $2,000, a Curious Refuge course, social promotion, and merchandise
• Audience Favorite: Course enrollment and Curious Refuge merchandise

Key creative rules

AI must be used in every shot. Subject-replacement, green-screen, rotoscoping, and live-action performance elements are allowed only when most of the frame’s generated pixels and environment are AI-created. Private-beta tools are prohibited. Films cannot use living celebrities, actors, voices, or protected fictional characters without permission, and the story cannot be tied to existing third-party intellectual property.

All music and sound effects must come exclusively from Epidemic Sound. Recorded voiceover, AI-modulated speech, and AI-generated voices are allowed when they do not copy a real person without consent. A required competition end card must appear for at least three seconds.

Judging and rights

Judges consider creativity, compliance with the AI requirements, story, attention to detail, and overall impact. The audience award is selected through public voting after finalists are announced.

Curious Refuge and Epidemic Sound may use submitted films as credited marketing material. Entrants also grant Curious Refuge rights to include their films in compilation videos or series and to premiere selected work online or at events.

Visit the official competition page and submit · Read the complete contest rules

OnlineVideoContests.com independently summarizes opportunities for creators. Curious Refuge’s official rules control AI usage, soundtrack licensing, entry limits, judging, submission, and promotional rights.