CapCut Guide

CapCut
Guide

Everything you need to know about the festival.

Entries were submitted across four categories: Film, Series, Creative and Commercial.
Each entry is judged on original thinking, human vision, strong craft and meaningful use of AI.

Applies to every category

Created with CapCut Video Studio, an all-in-one AI filmmaking workspace powered by a range of SOTA models. To access it, sign in at www.capcut.com/ai-creator-home, then go to Video Studio on the side navigation panel.
AI-generated or AI-assisted content must play a central role in the work, and CapCut Video Studio should play a primary role in the final submitted work.
Submit each work to one category only.
Non-English submissions must include English subtitles
You must have the rights or permissions required for all assets, music, brands, likenesses, voices, IP, and other materials used.
Public posting is optional. If you share your work publicly, tag it with #CapCutCREAITE and keep the link public throughout the review period.

Choose your category

Each category has its own requirements.

What it is

Original films shaped by strong characters, cinematic craft, and a clear point of view. We’re looking for human-led storytelling, with AI used as part of the creative process.

Where to start

Create a complete, compelling storyline

Length

2 minutes or longer. No upper limit.

We look for

An original idea and a clear voice
A complete narrative arc with strong pacing and emotional weight
Consistent characters, worldbuilding, and visual language
AI used to tell the story, not to show off what it can do

What it is

AI-assisted serial storytelling across two or more episodes, built on a shared world and a consistent storyline.

Where to start

Build a universe across episodes

Length

Minimum 2 episodes. Each episode must be at least 40 seconds.

We look for

Continuity in character, world, style, and tone
A story or premise that develops meaningfully from episode to episode
Each episode ends with a reason to watch the next
AI used to build consistency across series

What it is

Social-first, experimental, and visual-led work where story is optional, but the idea, visual hook, and point of view should be clear.

Where to start

Rewrite reality through visuals

Length

30 seconds to 3 minutes.

We look for

A distinct visual signature
Visuals, motion, design that carry the idea
A format built for feeds, shares, and repeat viewing
Create with AI what a camera could never capture

What it is

AI-assisted brand films, campaign films, and spec ads for fictional or self-created brands, built around a strong idea. Existing brand names, logos, products, images, or trademarks are not permitted.

Where to start

Build a brand and sell a feeling

Length

Up to 3 minutes.

We look for

A creative idea strong enough to feel like a real campaign
A brand that plays a real role, not just appears as a logo
A clear feeling, response, or takeaway for the audience
An ad that people wouldn't skip

How we judge

We judge the work on screen, and the human direction behind it.
A prompt might start things, but the real work comes after. We're looking for a strong idea, real craft, genuine taste, and AI that serves the story, concept, feeling, or world.

Human Vision & Intent

Does the work have a clear point of view? Can you feel the creator’s choices behind it — what to show, what to hold back, and where to take the audience?

Story, Concept & World

Does the work hold together as one complete piece? A story should have character, pacing, and emotional weight. Visual or commercial work should land a clear idea, feeling, or brand role.

Craft with AI

Is the AI controlled, not accidental? Does it keep everything consistent, the look, the characters, the camera, the editing, the world?

Something new

Does it feel fresh? In the idea, the look, the world, or the way it uses the medium.

Taste and finish

Is every detail considered, image, sound, color, pacing, subtitles, so the whole thing feels finished and ready to screen?

A note on categories: Each one weighs these differently. Film and Series lean on story, character, and world. Creative leans on the visual idea and form. Commercial leans on the brand, the audience, and the execution.

Awards

CapCut CRE[AI]TE will recognize 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.

Festival awards and recognition
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: 10 works will be 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: 20 works across all categories may be 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 Spotlight works may receive official festival recognition, CapCut creator support, and global showcase opportunities later this year, subject to eligibility, availability, and event programming.

Recognition Rules

Each creator or team may receive only one recognition across Cash Awards and Spotlight Selections. If a work qualifies for both a Cash Award and a Spotlight Selection, the Cash Award will take priority. If one work qualifies for more than one Cash Award, only the highest-tier Cash Award will apply.

Recognition opportunities

Recognition opportunities are open to a broader pool of eligible CRE[AI]TE entrants, not only cash award winners or the 20 Spotlight Selections.

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 invite into CapCut creator programs, early access, and future collaborations.

Industry & Guest Access

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

Open to creators worldwide: independent creators, students, artists, studios, and teams. Free to enter. Work created on or after April 1, 2026 is eligible.

Tools

AI-generated or AI-assisted content must play a central role in the work, and CapCut Video Studio should play a primary role in the final submitted work. Other AI tools are welcome alongside it, but you must disclose what you used.

Social sharing

Public posting is optional. If you share your work publicly, tag it with #CapCutCREAITE and keep the link public throughout the review period.

Rights

Use only the assets, music, brands, likenesses, voices, IP, and other materials you have the rights or permissions to use. No unauthorized deepfakes, celebrity likenesses, private individuals, or voice clones without permission. You keep ownership of your work, and CapCut may showcase eligible submissions subject to the official rules.

One cash award rule

Each creator or team can receive one main cash award. If an entry qualifies for multiple cash awards, only the highest-tier cash award applies.

Frequently asked questions

Everything on entry, tools, categories, rights, credits, judging, timeline, and safety.

Rights

Who owns the work after I submit?

You do. By entering, you give CapCut permission to showcase and promote your submission as part of CRE[AI]TE 2026, 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 are the judging criteria?

Submissions are judged on human vision and intent, story or concept, craft with AI, originality and imagination, taste, sound, and overall execution. Each category may weigh these criteria differently.

Who will judge the submissions?

Submissions will be reviewed by the CRE[AI]TE Selection Committee and an international jury of filmmakers, producers, creative leaders, and AI storytelling practitioners.

How does the review process work?

Valid submissions first go through a preliminary review by the CRE[AI]TE Selection Committee for eligibility, category fit, and baseline quality. Eligible works may then be considered for cash awards, Spotlight Selections, and broader Recognition Opportunities based on the festival's judging criteria, category needs, programming fit, and availability.

What awards are available?

CRE[AI]TE includes 10 cash awards in the main competition: one Grand Prix, four Category Winners, four Category Honorees, and one Student Vision Award.

CRE[AI]TE will also recognize 20 standout works as CRE[AI]TE Spotlight Selections, a non-cash honor for additional standout submissions.

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 receive 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 moments 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.

Can one creator win multiple awards?

Each creator or team may receive one main cash award. If an entry qualifies for multiple cash awards, the highest-tier cash award applies. Spotlight Selections and broader Recognition Opportunities are separate non-cash recognition and opportunity tracks.

How are Spotlight Selections chosen?

Spotlight Selections are chosen through the festival review process based on the judging criteria, including human vision, craft with AI, originality, taste, and execution. Selection balance may vary by category, region, and the submissions received.

How is the Grand Prix selected?

From the top works across the main categories. It goes to the strongest overall work in the festival, regardless of category.

How are Category Winners selected?

One per category: Film, Series, Creative, and Commercial. Each represents the strongest work in its category.

How are Category Honorees selected?

One per category. Honorees recognize standout work that shows exceptional vision, craft, or use of the medium.

How is the Student Vision Award selected?

Eligible student submissions across all four categories may be considered for the Student Vision Award. Students may also compete in the main competition categories.

Timeline

When will cash award winners and Spotlight Selections be announced?

Cash award winners are expected to be announced in September 2026. Spotlight Selection updates may be shared through CRE[AI]TE communications and CapCut's official channels as programming is finalized.

Where may selected or winning works be shown?

Cash award winners and Spotlight Selections may be showcased across CapCut's official channels, festival pages, social platforms, CRE[AI]TE showcases, partner screenings, global showcase events, or related creator activities.