An independent film festival celebrating the new language and tools of cinema.

Open call for films • No camera required

About · 01

Lumara is an independent film festival for the artists defining a new era of filmmaking.

AI has given filmmakers a new set of tools and a new creative language.

Lumara exists to find and celebrate the films coming out of this transformative moment for cinema.

Phase 01 · Online

July — August

Open competition. Enter from anywhere in the world.

Phase 02 · New York City

October

Nominees screened. Winners announced live.

Judges · 02

Judges to be announced

Stay tuned

Awards · 03

$100,000

in cash prizes and matching Venice credits.

Award categories to be announced.

Criteria · 04

Judged on the idea, the story, and the use of AI.

Films are judged on the strength of the idea, the quality of the storytelling, and how well the filmmaker uses AI.

Enter as an individual or as a team. Use any preferred AI filmmaking platform. Entrants using Venice receive free credits to start creating their submissions.

Workshops · 05

Learn to make films with the new tools and language of cinema.

Workshops on filmmaking with AI will take place at the festival in New York City, alongside the screenings and awards. Full schedule and speakers to be announced.

Prompt your world into existence.

Submissions open July 2026 · Enter solo or as a team