SIFF ING Is Open for Submissions! "AI Dimension" vs. "Vertical Planet"—To Take Over the Big Screen

Using innovative tracks to encourage new expressions and support the growth of young filmmakers is one of the important missions of the film festival. Shanghai International Film Festival has continuously improved its support program for young filmmakers and formed a "6+1" ladder-type new talent training system.

In 2025, as the first step of the "6+1" ladder-type new talent training system, SIFF ING Section of the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival has two tracks: "AIGC" and "Vertical Short Video", focusing on "new technology" "new perspective" "new youth", encouraging newcomers to explore intelligent video production methods and expand the new dimension of vertical micro-video, aiming to tap the creative potential and enthusiasm of young creators in the new era, providing a broader platform for young filmmakers and bringing together fresh, eclectic young creative forces from different cultural backgrounds..

Now, SIFF ING Section of the 2025 Shanghai International Film Festival is open for submissions! From today until April 21, SIFF ING calls for AI short videos (For AIGC track) and vertical video creators (For Vertical Short Video Track) from all over the world.

Track 1: [AIGC x Greamina AI] Fantastic Adventure to Create AIGC Content

#Co-initiator: Greamina AI

Are you an “AI Explorer” or a “Creative Magician”? Use AI to generate scripts, storyboards, characters, special effects—or even make AI your co-director! 

[AIGC x Greamina AI] Track focuses on the application of AI technology in film-making. It calls for AI-generated short films, encouraging creators to explore the fusion of AI & art and showcase the boundless potential of technology and creativity. 

For AIGC, 30 video creators will be selected for the shortlist, and 6 outstanding creators will be chosen as finalists. Finalists will be prominently recommended during the festival.

Work Requirements:

1. Filming time: From January 1, 2024, to April 21, 2025;

2. Running time: 1 - 20 minutes (including the opening and closing credits);

3. Genre: Video works that embrace various emerging AI tools as a core component of the making process; No restrictions on genre and AI tool;

4. Subtitle: Subtitles in both Chinese and English are required for dialogue, voice-over, and narration;

5. Quality: The works shall be submitted in MOV or MP4 format, in high definition (1080p HD) using H.264 encoding, and comply with the screening requirements for 2K;

6. Aspect ratio: Either landscape or portrait orientation.

When submitting your video work, please include a description of the creation, introducing the type of AI technology used in the creation and how it is applied in the video work, including but not limited to: the AI tools used, the generation process, workflow screenshots or generation process screenshots.

Track 2: [Vertical Short Video] A New Take on Vertical Storytelling 

- Who says films have to be horizontal? Shoot in vertical format and craft unique narratives within the 9:16 frame! 

[Vertical Short Video] Track aims to explore new visual expressions for mobile-optimized content, encouraging creators to break traditional boundaries through vertical format storytelling.

The shortlisted creators will be selected based on their qualifications and past works in the early stage. 12 outstanding creators will be chosen as finalists. Those finalists will be paired up one-on-one to shoot and produce vertical short videos during the festival, according to the organizing committee’s arrangements. The organizing committee will select honorable work from the 6 on-site shot & produced vertical short videos, and give the honorable work prominent recommendation.

Creator Application Materials :

1. Creator’s introduction and filmography (300 characters in Chinese, 150 characters in English);

2. Creator’s previous representative work (1 piece):

（1）Filming time: From January 1, 2024, to April 21, 2025;

（2）Running time: Within 10 minutes (including the opening and closing credits);

（3）Genre: Narrative and documentary are accepted;

（4）Subtitle: Subtitles in both Chinese and English are required for dialogue, voice-over, and narration;

（5）Quality: The works shall be submitted in MOV or MP4 format, in high definition (1080p HD) using H.264 encoding, and comply with the screening requirements for 2K;

（6）Aspect ratio: Either landscape or portrait orientation, portrait orientation is preferred.

How to Register for SIFF ING?

Please visit the official website of SIFF at www.siff.com. Select the “AIGC x Greamina AI” or “Vertical Short Video” track button through the “ING SUBMISSION” module to complete the online registration. Fill in the required information for the work to be registered. If the video work submitted for registration has received any form of awards or nominations from other platforms or events, please specify them in the “Awards received or nominated” column. Participants must ensure that the information provided is genuine and valid.

*Creators who are unable to access the AIGC Section event page, please submit your video works directly to the organizing committee via email at siffing-aigc@siff.com.

* For detailed regulations, please visit the official website of SIFF at www.siff.com and select "New Talent" - "SIFF ING" module.

SIFF ING Submission: https://www.siff.com/siffing/en.html#/