Google DeepMind Hosts AI Film Challenge for 15 Teams

Fifteen teams that make films using artificial intelligence (AI) have been chosen for a special creative challenge at Google DeepMind in San Francisco. Every team will receive the same video footage and use it to make its own short film.

The Gossip Goblin GenJam, planned for 20 October 2026, brings together filmmakers, AI developers and creative technology companies. They will explore how AI can help people tell different stories using the same starting material.

Unlike film projects that take weeks or months to complete, this challenge gives each team just one evening to develop an idea, make a film and show the finished result.

Fifteen teams start with the same footage

Each team receives the same 15-second clip from Gods Don't Give Gifts, a film made with help from AI by Gossip Goblin. They also receive reference materials showing the film's characters and landscapes.

The teams must turn these materials into a new short film that lasts no more than two minutes. Each team can choose its own creative approach.

Some filmmakers may continue the original story. Others may try different film genres, animation styles or completely new ways of showing the characters.

Because every team starts with the same material, the finished films will show how different creative choices and technical methods can lead to different results.

Which AI filmmaking tools are involved?

Participants can use their own AI filmmaking systems. This lets filmmakers and developers try out the technology they already work with.

Teams that do not have their own production setup can use Showrunner, a creative platform linked to Gossip Goblin. It includes existing prompts and materials to help them make their films.

Some selected teams may also receive credits from technology partners. These credits can give them access to more AI models that generate content and other filmmaking services.

Each team has two to four people. They may include independent filmmakers, software developers and experts who build technology for making videos with AI.

Since teams can use different tools and methods, the event offers a chance to compare how they solve similar creative problems with different systems.

How are the winning films chosen?

Each team is expected to show its finished film at the event. This gives participants and guests a chance to see how each team has used the original footage.

The audience will vote for the films, and a panel of judges will also help decide the final results.

The first-place winner will receive US$2,000 in cash, tickets to the Los Angeles premiere of Gods Don't Give Gifts, a chance to appear in the Gossip Goblin universe and extra technology credits.

The second-place team will receive US$1,000, and the third-place team will receive US$500. Both teams will also get extra benefits from the organisers and technology partners.

The event is hosted by 645 Ventures, Machine Cinema, Google DeepMind, Showrunner and Gossip Goblin. Other organisations working in AI and entertainment are also supporting it.

Why is this challenge different from other AI film competitions?

Most film competitions ask creators to develop their own stories and submit finished films. GenJam takes a different approach.

By giving every team the same footage and reference materials, the organisers can explore how different filmmakers might develop stories from the same fictional world.

The idea is linked to what 645 Ventures calls Iterative Media. This approach allows digital content to be extended, changed and reimagined instead of existing only as one finished production.

For filmmakers, the challenge offers a chance to experiment with characters and storytelling while following the rules of a shared creative brief.

The challenge also shows why human choices matter when making films with AI. Participants must guide the tools they use and decide how their stories should develop.

Where can audiences discover the finished films?

People interested in the project can follow Machine Cinema for news about future GenJam events and its AI filmmaking activities.

The official Gossip Goblin GenJam listing also shares information about the competition, the organisations taking part and the creative brief.