The Principality of Monaco is set to host its first festival dedicated to artificial intelligence in cinema, with the launch of AI Film Festival Monaco 2026, scheduled for 9–10 June at One Monte-Carlo.

Positioned shortly after the globally renowned Monaco Grand Prix, the two-day event will take place during one of the Riviera’s busiest cultural periods. Organisers say the festival aims to bring together filmmakers, producers, digital artists, researchers, and technology experts, alongside government and industry representatives, to examine how AI is transforming the art and business of filmmaking.

The festival will spotlight artificial intelligence as a new creative engine in cinema, exploring its role in generating imagery, shaping narratives, and redefining storytelling processes. At its core, the event also poses a broader philosophical question about the evolving relationship between human creators and machines, whether AI expands or diminishes the “soul” of storytelling.

The programme will feature film screenings, keynote sessions, panel discussions, and artistic showcases, with speakers expected from both the film and technology sectors. A key highlight will be the AI Film Awards, which will recognise excellence in AI-driven storytelling and technical innovation.

Among the interactive elements, a 24-hour filmmaking challenge will invite participants to collaborate on creating original AI-generated films within a single day. The festival will also include an outdoor beach screening and networking events designed to foster collaboration between creative professionals and technologists.

Industry contributors are expected to include figures such as Nick Shoolingin-Jordan and Anthony Bourached, alongside a wider community of filmmakers and digital creators working across emerging media.

Major technology players, including Microsoft and Alibaba Cloud, are also expected to participate, underscoring the growing convergence of advanced computing and the global film industry.

As generative AI tools continue to reshape creative workflows worldwide, the AI Film Festival Monaco aims to serve as a platform for dialogue, experimentation, and innovation highlighting the next chapter in the evolution of cinema.