World AI Film Festival to launch in Turkey

The World AI Film Festival (WAIFF) is expanding to Turkey with the WAIFF Turkey Chapter 2026, hosted by AI Yapım, a subsidiary of Ay Yapım. Scheduled for November 4, 2026, in Istanbul, the event aims to integrate Turkey’s storytelling traditions with artificial intelligence to establish the country as a regional hub for AI-driven audiovisual production.

The festival accepts both fully AI-generated films and hybrid productions that combine live-action footage with AI technologies. Submissions must demonstrate a significant and meaningful role for AI in the creative process. To ensure ethical standards, works utilizing deepfake technology for unauthorized identity impersonation will be disqualified. All entries must be original, respect intellectual property rights, and include embedded English subtitles.

Applications are open to Turkish citizens and legal residents of Turkey until October 1, 2026. The competition features eight award categories, including Best Short Film, Best Micro-Series, Best Animation Short Film, and Best Soundtrack. Notably, the five most successful Turkish productions selected by the jury will be showcased at the World AI Film Festival Cannes 2027 as part of the ‘Road to Cannes Selection’ in April 2027.