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2026 Guide
CapCut
2026 Guide
Everything you need to know about the festival.
Entries were submitted across four categories: Film, Series, Creative, and Commercial.
Judges evaluated each entry on original thinking, human vision, strong craft, and meaningful use of AI.
2026 entry rules
- Every entry had to be AI-generated or AI-assisted, with AI playing a central role in the final piece.
- CapCut Video Studio had to play a primary role in the final submitted work. Creators could also use other AI tools, as long as they disclosed them.
- Each work was entered in one category only: Film, Series, Creative, or Commercial.
- Non-English entries had to include English subtitles.
- Creators had to hold the rights or permissions for all assets, music, brands, likenesses, voices, IP, and other materials used.
- Public posting was optional. Creators who shared their work publicly were asked to tag it #CapCutCREAITE and keep the link public throughout the review period.
2026 categories
Entries were judged in four categories, each with its own requirements.
How the works were judged
The 2026 jury evaluated the work on screen and the human direction behind it.
The review focused on strong ideas, deliberate craft, genuine taste, and AI used to serve the story, concept, feeling, or world.
Human Vision & Intent
Did the work have a clear point of view? Could you feel the creator's choices behind it: what to show, what to hold back, and where to take the audience?
Story, Concept & World
Did the work hold together as one complete piece? A story needed character, pacing, and emotional weight. Visual or commercial work needed to land a clear idea, feeling, or brand role.
Craft with AI
Was the AI controlled, not accidental? Did everything keep consistent: the look, the characters, the camera, the editing, the world?
Something new
Did it feel fresh? In the idea, the look, the world, or the way it used the medium.
Taste and finish
Did image, sound, color, pacing, and subtitles feel finished and ready to screen?
A note on categories: Each category weighed these differently. Film and Series leaned on story, character, and world. Creative leaned on the visual idea and form. Commercial leaned on the brand, the audience, and the execution.
Awards
CapCut CRE[AI]TE recognized 30 works in total: 10 Cash Award winners and 20 Spotlight Selections.
Cash Awards honor the top works in the main competition. Spotlight Selections recognize additional standout submissions through non-cash honors and potential showcase opportunities.
All selected creators or teams will receive 50,000 credits and 1 year of CapCut Pro.
| Recognition | Number | Prize / Honor | Selection Logic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | 1 | $70,000 | One winner across all categories |
| Category Winner | 4 | $20,000 each | One winner per category |
| Category Honoree | 4 | $10,000 each | One honoree per category |
| Student Vision Award | 1 | $10,000 | One winner from eligible student submissions across all categories |
| Spotlight Selections | 20 | Non-cash honors | Standout works across all categories |
Cash Awards: In 2026, 10 works were selected as Cash Award winners across the main competition. Cash Award winners receive the listed cash prize for their award tier, plus 50,000 credits and 1 year of CapCut Pro. Prize details, eligibility, taxes, and regional availability follow the official rules.
Spotlight Selections: In 2026, 20 works were selected as CRE[AI]TE Spotlight Selections. Spotlight Selections are non-cash honors for standout works that show original vision, strong craft, and meaningful use of AI. Selected works may also receive CapCut creator support and global showcase opportunities later this year, subject to eligibility, availability, and event programming.
Recognition rules
Each creator or team could receive only one recognition across Cash Awards and Spotlight Selections. If a work qualified for both a Cash Award and a Spotlight Selection, the Cash Award took priority. If a work qualified for more than one Cash Award, only the highest-tier Cash Award applied.
Recognition opportunities
Beyond the 2026 selections, eligible CRE[AI]TE entrants may also be considered for future recognition opportunities.
Eligible creators may be considered for global creator event invitations or passes, CapCut features, CapCut creator programs, partner showcases, industry connections, credits, Pro access, or future opportunities.
CapCut Creator Event
A selection of standout submissions will be presented at a CapCut creator event later this year.
Festival Showcase
Winning works and Spotlight Selections screen through CRE[AI]TE programming, showcase events, and partner screenings.
Featured by CapCut
A feature across CapCut's official channels, festival pages, and creator channels.
Creator Programs
An invitation to CapCut creator programs, early access, and future collaborations.
Industry Connections
Selected creators connect with judges, guest creatives, partner studios, agencies, creative teams, and collaborators during festival programming.
Credits + Pro
Eligible creators may receive CapCut credits or Pro access to keep creating.
Good to know
Eligibility
Entry was free and open worldwide to independent creators, students, artists, studios, and teams. Works had to be created on or after April 1, 2026.
Tools
AI-generated or AI-assisted content had to play a central role in the work, and CapCut Video Studio had to play a primary role in the final submitted work. Other AI tools were allowed, as long as creators disclosed them.
Social sharing
Public posting was optional. Creators who shared their work publicly were asked to tag it #CapCutCREAITE and keep the link public throughout the review period.
Rights
Entries could only use assets, music, brands, likenesses, voices, IP, and other materials the creator had the rights or permissions to use. Deepfakes, celebrity likenesses, private individuals, and voice clones were not allowed without permission. Creators keep ownership of their work, and CapCut may showcase eligible submissions subject to the official rules.
One cash award rule
Each creator or team could receive one Cash Award. If an entry qualified for more than one, only the highest-tier Cash Award applied.
Frequently asked questions
Everything on rights, judging and awards.
Rights
Who owns the selected works?
Creators retain ownership of their work. By taking part in CRE[AI]TE 2026, creators granted CapCut permission to showcase and promote selected submissions as part of the festival, subject to the official rules.
Will CapCut use my work outside the festival?
CapCut may showcase, promote, or feature eligible submissions as part of CRE[AI]TE 2026, including on official channels, festival pages, social platforms, and related programming.
Judging & Awards
What were the judging criteria?
Works were judged on five criteria: Human Vision & Intent; Story, Concept & World; Craft with AI; Something New; and Taste & Finish. Each category weighed them differently.
Who judged CRE[AI]TE 2026?
Works were reviewed by the CRE[AI]TE Selection Committee and an international jury of filmmakers, producers, creative leaders, and AI storytelling practitioners.
What are CRE[AI]TE Spotlight Selections?
CRE[AI]TE Spotlight Selections are non-cash honors for 20 standout submissions. Spotlight works receive official festival recognition and may also get CapCut creator support, such as platform insights, data-informed guidance, visibility support, or creation resources. Selected Spotlight works are planned to be showcased through CRE[AI]TE programming, CapCut channels, and related creator events later this year.
Are Spotlight Selections the same as cash awards?
No. Cash awards are monetary prizes in the main competition. Spotlight Selections are non-cash honors that recognize additional standout works and may include official recognition, creator support, global showcase placement, or related creator opportunities.
Are Recognition Opportunities limited to the 20 Spotlight Selections?
No. Recognition Opportunities are broader than Spotlight. Cash award winners, Spotlight Selections, and other eligible CRE[AI]TE entrants may all be considered for recognition opportunities, including global creator event invitations or passes, CapCut features, creator programs, partner showcases, industry connections, credits or Pro access.
Could one creator win more than one award?
No. Each creator or team could receive only one recognition across Cash Awards and Spotlight Selections. If a work qualified for both, the Cash Award took priority, and if it qualified for more than one Cash Award, only the highest tier applied. Broader Recognition Opportunities are a separate, non-cash track.
How were Spotlight Selections chosen?
Spotlight Selections were chosen through the festival review process, using the same five judging criteria. The mix across categories and regions depended on the submissions received.
How was the Grand Prix selected?
The Grand Prix was selected from the top works across the main categories and awarded to the strongest overall work in the festival, regardless of category.
How were Category Winners selected?
One Category Winner was selected for each category: Film, Series, Creative, and Commercial. Each represents the strongest work in its category.
How were Category Honorees selected?
One Honoree was named in each category, recognizing standout work with exceptional vision, craft, or use of the medium.
How was the Student Vision Award selected?
Eligible student submissions across all four categories could be considered for the Student Vision Award. Students could also compete in the main competition categories.