With nearly 5,500 films submitted and over 80 countries represented, WAiFF 2026 has established itself as a global benchmark in the fields of AI and the creative industries.
2nd edition of the World AI Film Festival.
2nd edition of the World AI Film Festival.
On 21 and 22 April 2026, Cannes will host the second edition of the World AI Film Festival (WAiFF), the international event dedicated to the intersection of audiovisual creation and AI. Organised by the Alpes-Maritimes Department, the Maison de l’IA and the Institut EuropIA, in partnership with TechCannes, Genario, Studio Laffitte and BetaSeries, and with the support of the City of Cannes, the WAiFF has established itself as a pioneering global event exploring the impact of new technologies on creativity.
“The Alpes-Maritimes have always been a source of inspiration for artists. We now wish to carry this cultural richness, which is deeply rooted in our region, into the future. At a time when Artificial Intelligence is raising as many hopes as it is questions, we are making a clear choice: to use it as a tool in the service of creativity. For no technology will ever replace the sensitivity and vision of artists. However, it can open up new horizons and enrich the forms of expression surrounding moving images. With initiatives such as the Maison de l’IA, the WAICF and the IA Dates, the Alpes-Maritimes Department has positioned itself at the forefront of major technological developments. It is in this spirit that we launched the World AI Film Festival, and we are proud to open its second edition today. I would also like to thank David Lisnard, Mayor of Cannes, for his commitment and support for this initiative.”
Charles Ange Ginésy, President of the Alpes-Maritimes Department, President of the Maison de l’IA.
« Je me réjouis que Cannes accueille les 21 et 22 avril 2026, au Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, le World AI Film Festival, organisé à l’initiative de Marco Landi par l’Institut EuropIA et Charles Ange Ginésy pour le Département des Alpes-Maritimes, dont je salue la vision et l’implication. Dans une ville qui incarne à travers le monde l’excellence cinématographique, ce festival trouve naturellement sa place, quelques semaines seulement après la 6e édition du World AI Cannes Festival, premier rendez-vous mondial dédié à l’Intelligence Artificielle. L’événement valorise l’émergence de nouvelles formes d’écritures et de créations assistées par Intelligence Artificielle, met à l’honneur les talents et nourrit le débat essentiel sur les conditions dans lesquelles cette technologie doit être pensée, maîtrisée et mise au service de l’humain. Car l’IA ne doit pas se substituer à la création : elle doit demeurer un outil au service de l’imaginaire, des œuvres et des auteurs. Par ailleurs, le World AI Film Festival s’inscrit pleinement dans le programme municipal “Cannes On Air”, qui vise à faire de Cannes un pôle majeur de l’écriture et de la création audiovisuelles. »
David Lisnard, Maire de Cannes
“As the festival’s founder, I have made it my mission to discover new talent, protect their rights and promote fair forms of remuneration.
AI is now becoming the new camera at the service of creators, but creativity and the passion for storytelling remain entirely human. We often hear criticism and concerns about AI. However, the high-quality films I have discovered in Brazil, Korea and, more recently, Japan show that the quality and emotional impact of filmmaking remain intact, and that these concerns can be put to rest. On 21 and 22 April in Cannes, creators from four continents will come to present their work and discuss these issues. The Alpes-Maritimes region is thus positioning itself as a true hub for the new creative industry.”
Marco Landi, Founder of WAiFF
“I am deeply honoured to chair the World AI Film Festival. For me, the warmth of cinema always comes from the human heart, and technology allows us to express that emotion with unprecedented freedom and depth. Today, we are witnessing the convergence of Artificial Intelligence and the art of filmmaking. This is not merely a technological advance; above all, it is a new impetus for the imagination. I look forward to being in Cannes on 21 and 22 April.”
Gong Li, President of WAiFF 2026
A festival at the heart of creative transformation
In the age of Artificial Intelligence, the World AI Film Festival celebrates moving images in all their forms. From short films to feature-length films and documentaries, from mobile formats to advertising, and from micro-series to animation, the festival highlights the new waves of creativity and the visual and narrative innovation made possible by AI.
During these industry days — the Pro Talks — a unique space for dialogue will be provided for creators, directors, producers, researchers, students and technology enthusiasts.
A global finale in Cannes
Ahead of its grand finale on the Croisette, the WAiFF organised a world tour with international stops in São Paulo, Seoul, Kyoto and Beijing. To date, nearly 5,500 films have already been submitted, confirming the spectacular rise of these new forms of audiovisual creation.
Key figures:
5,474 films received
Over 80 countries represented: China, Korea, Japan, Brazil, France, USA, India…
412 films shortlisted for the grand finale in Cannes.
Two days of meetings and creative activities across four venues
Over two days, in the heart of Cannes, the festival will bring together industry professionals and the general public for a series of highlights at four iconic venues: the Palais des Festivals, the Marriott Hotel, the Espace Miramar, and the Les Arcades cinema: Keynote speeches and international conferences, round-table discussions on the artistic, economic and legal challenges of AI, screenings of films from the official selection for the general public, the official awards ceremony, meetings and networking with industry players…
Several international figures from the worlds of cinema and the creative industries will be in attendance to celebrate innovation and contribute to the discussions surrounding these new practices. Claude Lelouch, who has been a shining light in world cinema for 60 years, will serve as Honorary President. Gong Li and Agnès Jaoui, two icons of cinema, will lead the festival. An exceptional jury will round off this prestigious line-up.
An opening night and a closing night with award ceremonies will also mark the highlights of this second edition.
“The Alpes-Maritimes have always been a source of inspiration for artists. We now wish to carry this cultural richness, which is deeply rooted in our region, into the future. At a time when Artificial Intelligence is raising as many hopes as it is questions, we are making a clear choice: to use it as a tool in the service of creativity. For no technology will ever replace the sensitivity and vision of artists. However, it can open up new horizons and enrich the forms of expression surrounding moving images. With initiatives such as the Maison de l’IA, the WAICF and the IA Dates, the Alpes-Maritimes Department has positioned itself at the forefront of major technological developments. It is in this spirit that we launched the World AI Film Festival, and we are proud to open its second edition today. I would also like to thank David Lisnard, Mayor of Cannes, for his commitment and support for this initiative.”
Charles Ange Ginésy, President of the Alpes-Maritimes Department, President of the Maison de l’IA.
« Je me réjouis que Cannes accueille les 21 et 22 avril 2026, au Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, le World AI Film Festival, organisé à l’initiative de Marco Landi par l’Institut EuropIA et Charles Ange Ginésy pour le Département des Alpes-Maritimes, dont je salue la vision et l’implication. Dans une ville qui incarne à travers le monde l’excellence cinématographique, ce festival trouve naturellement sa place, quelques semaines seulement après la 6e édition du World AI Cannes Festival, premier rendez-vous mondial dédié à l’Intelligence Artificielle. L’événement valorise l’émergence de nouvelles formes d’écritures et de créations assistées par Intelligence Artificielle, met à l’honneur les talents et nourrit le débat essentiel sur les conditions dans lesquelles cette technologie doit être pensée, maîtrisée et mise au service de l’humain. Car l’IA ne doit pas se substituer à la création : elle doit demeurer un outil au service de l’imaginaire, des œuvres et des auteurs. Par ailleurs, le World AI Film Festival s’inscrit pleinement dans le programme municipal “Cannes On Air”, qui vise à faire de Cannes un pôle majeur de l’écriture et de la création audiovisuelles. »
David Lisnard, Maire de Cannes
“As the festival’s founder, I have made it my mission to discover new talent, protect their rights and promote fair forms of remuneration.
AI is now becoming the new camera at the service of creators, but creativity and the passion for storytelling remain entirely human. We often hear criticism and concerns about AI. However, the high-quality films I have discovered in Brazil, Korea and, more recently, Japan show that the quality and emotional impact of filmmaking remain intact, and that these concerns can be put to rest. On 21 and 22 April in Cannes, creators from four continents will come to present their work and discuss these issues. The Alpes-Maritimes region is thus positioning itself as a true hub for the new creative industry.”
Marco Landi, Founder of WAiFF
“I am deeply honoured to chair the World AI Film Festival. For me, the warmth of cinema always comes from the human heart, and technology allows us to express that emotion with unprecedented freedom and depth. Today, we are witnessing the convergence of Artificial Intelligence and the art of filmmaking. This is not merely a technological advance; above all, it is a new impetus for the imagination. I look forward to being in Cannes on 21 and 22 April.”
Gong Li, President of WAiFF 2026
A festival at the heart of creative transformation
In the age of Artificial Intelligence, the World AI Film Festival celebrates moving images in all their forms. From short films to feature-length films and documentaries, from mobile formats to advertising, and from micro-series to animation, the festival highlights the new waves of creativity and the visual and narrative innovation made possible by AI.
During these industry days — the Pro Talks — a unique space for dialogue will be provided for creators, directors, producers, researchers, students and technology enthusiasts.
A global finale in Cannes
Ahead of its grand finale on the Croisette, the WAiFF organised a world tour with international stops in São Paulo, Seoul, Kyoto and Beijing. To date, nearly 5,500 films have already been submitted, confirming the spectacular rise of these new forms of audiovisual creation.
Key figures:
5,474 films received
Over 80 countries represented: China, Korea, Japan, Brazil, France, USA, India…
412 films shortlisted for the grand finale in Cannes.
Two days of meetings and creative activities across four venues
Over two days, in the heart of Cannes, the festival will bring together industry professionals and the general public for a series of highlights at four iconic venues: the Palais des Festivals, the Marriott Hotel, the Espace Miramar, and the Les Arcades cinema: Keynote speeches and international conferences, round-table discussions on the artistic, economic and legal challenges of AI, screenings of films from the official selection for the general public, the official awards ceremony, meetings and networking with industry players…
Several international figures from the worlds of cinema and the creative industries will be in attendance to celebrate innovation and contribute to the discussions surrounding these new practices. Claude Lelouch, who has been a shining light in world cinema for 60 years, will serve as Honorary President. Gong Li and Agnès Jaoui, two icons of cinema, will lead the festival. An exceptional jury will round off this prestigious line-up.
An opening night and a closing night with award ceremonies will also mark the highlights of this second edition.
Rates
On accreditation.
Opening times
From 21 April 2026 until 22 April 2026 - Open everyday
Location
Access
Access
- The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes is only 27 km from Nice-Côte d'Azur airport, find all the information on the bus lines going there as well as the timetables and fares and book your ticket on line on the website : https://www.niceairportxpress.com/fr/accueil
Whether you are in Cannes or in one of the towns of the Pays de Lérins agglomeration : Cannes, le Cannet, Mandelieu-la-Napoule, Mougins or Théoule, easily reach the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès via the Palm Bus public transport network : https://www.palmbus.fr/
The SNCF train station is only 5 minutes walk from the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes.
