Reply AIFF 2026 Premiere
Hosted by Reply in collaboration with MasterCard, ElevenLabs, SKY and WeShort
For the first time, the Reply AI Film Festival will be presented within the framework of the Venice Production Bridge events programme, marking a new milestone for the initiative. Now in its third edition, it reaches its most anticipated moment: the Première Event, where the overall winner will be announced and awarded the €8,000 Grand Prize, alongside the recipients of the awards presented by the initiative's partners.
From more than 3,100 short films submitted from around the world, an outstanding international jury—chaired by Academy Award-winning director Gabriele Salvatores and featuring acclaimed filmmakers Rob Minkoff and Catherine Hardwicke, together with Filippo Rizzante, CTO of Reply—has selected the 10 finalists. These films stand out for their creativity, production quality and innovative use of artificial intelligence in cinematic storytelling.
On 6 September in Venice, the finalist films will be screened before an international audience during the Première Event, hosted by Reply in collaboration with WeShort. Following the screenings, the jury will announce the overall winner, as well as the recipients of the AI for Good Award, presented in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Reply AI Studios Grand Prix, the WeShort Community Award, and the Feature Film Out of Competition Award.
Organised with WeShort, the initiative's Growth Partner, and with Sky Italia as Media Partner, the event brings together internationally renowned filmmakers, technology leaders and emerging creators to explore how innovation is shaping the future of cinematic storytelling.
MODERATOR:
Enrico Giovannini (Reply AIFF)
SPEAKERS:
Gabriele Salvatores (Academy Award-winning Director)
Rob Minkoff (Director)
Catherine Hardwicke (Director)
Giacomo Mineo (VFX Supervisor)
Filippo Rizzante (CTO, Reply)
Jed Weintrob (Director, 30 Ninjas)
Christina Lee Storm (Head of Studio Narrative, Secret Level)
Guillerme Martinez Roura (AI & Robotics Programme Officer, ITU)
Denise Negri (Journalist, Sky TG24)
Brian Welk (Reporter, IndieWire)
SCREENING:
Reply AIFF 2026 10 finalist short films
HOSTED BY REPLY, IN COLLABORATION WITH MASTERCARD, ELEVENLABS, SKY AND WESHORT
REPLY
Reply specializes in the design and implementation of solutions based on new communication channels and digital media. Built on a network model of highly specialized companies, Reply supports leading industrial groups in the Telecom & Media, Industry & Services, Banking & Insurance, and Public Administration sectors in defining and developing business models enabled by the new paradigms of Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Digital Media, and the Internet of Things. Reply's services include Consulting, System Integration, and Digital Services.
WESHORT
WeShort is a global streaming platform, distribution hub and production company dedicated to premium short-form entertainment, connecting filmmakers, audiences and industry partners worldwide.
