Film Submissions
Everything you need to know to enter your film in MAIFF 2026 — eligibility, technical specs, AI usage rules, the submission process, required materials, rights, and grounds for disqualification.
Who Can Submit
Individual filmmakers
Solo creators are welcome.
Teams
Collaborative submissions encouraged, maximum team size of 10 credited members.
Students
Currently enrolled students are eligible and should note their student status at submission.
Professional filmmakers
No restrictions on prior experience or credits.
International filmmakers
All nationalities welcome; specific regional awards exist for Omani and GCC creators.
The 2026 Theme: Connection
Where humans, machines, and cultures connect through storytelling.
AI is transforming how stories are created — but storytelling has always been about relationships. MAIFF positions Muscat as the place where technology connects with creativity, cultures connect with each other, ideas connect across borders, and people connect through stories.
Films do not need to be literally about connection. The theme is an invitation to explore how people, places, ideas, or technologies relate to one another — in the past, present, or future. Films that do not directly reference the theme remain eligible; the theme is a creative prompt, not a filter.
Film Requirements
Length
| Minimum runtime | 3 minutes |
|---|---|
| Maximum runtime | 7 minutes |
| Recommended runtime | 3 – 7 minutes |
| Note | Shorter films are not penalised. Quality over duration. |
Format & Technical Specs
| File format | MP4 or MOV (H.264 or H.265 codec) |
|---|---|
| Minimum resolution | 1920 × 1080 (Full HD) |
| Preferred resolution | 3840 × 2160 (4K) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 preferred · other ratios accepted with justification |
| Frame rate | 24fps, 25fps, or 30fps |
| Audio | Stereo or better |
| Maximum file size | 10 GB |
| Subtitles | Required for any non-English / non-Arabic dialogue |
Language & Completion Date
- Films may be in any language; non-English/non-Arabic dialogue requires embedded subtitles or a separate .SRT file.
- Films must have been completed between 1 January 2024 and the submission deadline.
- Works in progress are not eligible.
- Films previously submitted to or screened at other festivals remain eligible for MAIFF.
AI Usage Requirements
AI must have played a meaningful role in the film. A film qualifies if AI tools were used in any of the following areas:
| Visual Generation | Text-to-video, image-to-video, AI-generated environments, characters, or scenes |
|---|---|
| Scriptwriting & Story | AI tools used to develop, draft, or refine the script or story concept |
| Voice & Audio | AI-generated voiceover, dialogue, music, or sound design |
| Animation | AI-assisted animation, motion capture, or character movement |
| Editing & Post | AI tools used in the edit, colour grade, VFX, or post-production |
| Virtual Production | AI-generated backdrops, real-time rendering, or virtual environments |
| Any combination | Multiple AI tools used across the pipeline — declare them all |
Accepted AI Platforms & Tools
Illustrative, not exhaustive| Video & Visual | Sora, RunwayML, Kling, Pika Labs, MidJourney, Stable Diffusion, Luma Dream Machine |
|---|---|
| Audio & Voice | ElevenLabs, Suno AI, Udio, Adobe AI Audio, Descript, Murf AI, Beatoven.ai |
| Editing & Post | Adobe Firefly/Premiere AI, DaVinci Resolve AI, Topaz Labs, Unreal Engine + AI, OpusClip, Captions.ai |
Any publicly available AI tool is accepted, including ones not listed above. When in doubt, declare it and let the jury decide.
Human + AI Collaboration
- Fully AI-generated films: accepted
- Partially AI-assisted: accepted (declare which elements)
- AI-generated audio but traditional filming: accepted
- Single AI tool: accepted
- No AI involvement: not eligible
How to Submit
- Visit the MAIFF submission portal at maiff.ai (opens 15 August 2026)
- Create a filmmaker account — individual or team
- Complete the online submission form
- Upload the film file and all required supporting materials
- Pay the submission fee of OMR 50 per film entry
- Receive confirmation email and submission reference number
- Track submission status through the filmmaker dashboard
Submission Form Fields
| Film title | English + Arabic, Arabic optional but encouraged |
|---|---|
| Runtime | Exact minutes and seconds |
| Director name(s) | Lead filmmaker(s) full name(s) |
| Team members | With roles |
| Country of production | Where the film was primarily made |
| Award categories | Maximum 3 |
| Film synopsis | 100–200 words |
| Director's statement | 100–200 words |
| AI tools declaration | Full list + how used |
| Process notes | Optional |
| Nationality / student status | For regional & student awards |
Required Supporting Materials
- One production still or key image (minimum 1920×1080, JPEG or PNG)
- Filmmaker biography — 50 to 100 words
- Filmmaker photo — headshot or portrait, minimum 800×800px
Optional Additional Materials
- Behind-the-scenes images or process documentation
- Extended director's statement or creative essay
- Links to previous work or portfolio
AI Tools Declaration
Every submission must include a mandatory declaration of how AI was used. It should:
- Name each AI tool or platform used
- Describe what each tool was used for
- Indicate roughly what percentage of the final film was AI-generated vs human-created
- Describe any post-processing or curation applied to AI-generated outputs
- Describe any self-developed or modified tools
Rights, Screening & Ownership
Filmmaker Rights
- Filmmakers retain full ownership and copyright of their film
- MAIFF does not acquire any rights to the film by accepting a submission
- MAIFF does not acquire rights to distribute, sell, or license the film
MAIFF Screening Rights
- By submitting, filmmakers grant MAIFF a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to screen the film at MAIFF events, including VOX Cinema screenings and the Royal Opera House finale
- MAIFF may use clips of up to 90 seconds for promotional and press purposes
- Films may appear in MAIFF highlight reels on social media and in press materials
Third-Party Rights
- Filmmakers are responsible for clearing all rights to third-party music, footage, or other content used in the film
- Filmmakers are responsible for resolving any rights issues arising from AI-generated content incorporating third-party IP
Disqualification & Withdrawal
Grounds for Disqualification
- Film does not meet minimum technical specifications
- Film was completed before 1 January 2024
- No meaningful AI involvement, or AI involvement is misrepresented
- Film contains illegal, harmful, or community-standards-violating content
- Submission form is materially incomplete or contains false information
- Submission fee was not paid
Withdrawal
Films may be withdrawn at any time before jury evaluation begins in late September 2026. Withdrawal requests must be sent in writing to the MAIFF submissions team. Submission fees are non-refundable.
Contact
| Submissions | info@eatcooman.com |
|---|---|
| General enquiries | info@eatcooman.com |
| Website | www.maiff.ai |
| Instagram / X | @MAIFFOfficial |