TV9 Network has announced the launch of the AI² Awards 2026, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at celebrating the convergence of artificial intelligence and human creativity in filmmaking.

Positioned at a time when AI is reshaping everything from scripting to soundscapes, the awards seek to recognise creators who are pushing the boundaries of cinematic expression through hybrid, tech-enabled storytelling.

According to the press release, the AI² Awards are open to students, independent artists, early-career professionals and experimental storytellers who wish to explore how AI can collaborate with human imagination to craft bold and unconventional narratives.

The competition welcomes formats ranging from animation and music videos to documentaries and branded content, reflecting the growing democratization of filmmaking, where a single creator can animate complete worlds using AI-driven tools.

Registrations will open on December 8, 2025, and remain live until January 31, 2026, with a distinguished jury of filmmakers, technologists and creative innovators set to evaluate the entries.

The jury round is scheduled for February 2026 in Mumbai. Winners will be announced at the WITT–News9 Global Summit 2026 in New Delhi in March, where the selected films will be screened before global leaders in media, technology and innovation.

As the lines between art and algorithms continue to blur, the AI² Awards 2026 aim to spotlight a new generation of creators defining the future language of cinema one where technology enhances, rather than replaces, the emotional depth and soul of storytelling.