CloudWalk launches CAIS – AI Shorts Festival and invites filmmakers from around the world to reinvent audiovisual storytelling with artificial intelligence

São Paulo, August 2025 – CloudWalk Studios, the audiovisual team of the financial technology company CloudWalk, owner of InfinitePay, announces the first edition of CAIS – CloudWalk AI Shorts Festival, an international event that brings together video creators to explore new frontiers in cinematic storytelling through artificial intelligence. The festival will take place on November 14, 2025, in São Paulo, and will screen the selected short films on the big screen, with cash prizes of R$ 8,400, R$ 4,200, and R$ 2,100 for the top three works.

Open to participants from any country, CAIS accepts shorts between 1 and 10 minutes in length, completed after January 1, 2024, that use AI tools in any part of the creative process — whether scriptwriting, visuals, editing, sound, or art direction. Submissions are open until October 10, 2025, and can be made through the official form at https://www.cloudwalk.io/cais.

The festival was born from the desire to rethink humanity’s relationship with images in a scenario where AI not only optimizes processes but also opens entirely new horizons for artistic expression. “AI-made video is reshaping our bond with images. A new creative horizon has opened — and it’s just a prompt away,” says Ricardo Mordoch, Head of Audiovisual at CloudWalk Studios.
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Rules & Eligibility

Filmmakers over 18 years old, individually or in collectives, of any nationality may participate. The films must be:

• Original and with all screening rights secured (including music and likeness rights of portrayed individuals);
• Produced partially or entirely with AI, including but not limited to image generation, script, editing, sound design, or visual compositions;
• Between 1 and 10 minutes long;
• In any genre or format;
• In a foreign language, accompanied by English subtitles.

Evaluation Criteria

A jury composed of filmmakers and audiovisual professionals will select up to 10 finalists and award the top three. The evaluation will consider:

• Creative use of AI – inventive and meaningful integration of the technology in the process;
• Originality and artistic vision – uniqueness of concept and visual language;
• Technical execution – overall production quality;
• Thematic relevance – connection to issues related to AI;
• Emotional or intellectual impact – ability to provoke and inspire reflection;
• Conceptual clarity – transparency in communicating the proposal;
• Risk and experimental innovation – boldness and exploration of unconventional uses of AI.

Awards

• 1st place – R$ 8,400
• 2nd place – R$ 4,200
• 3rd place – R$ 2,100

Timeline

• Submissions open: August 18, 2025
• Submissions close: October 10, 2025
• Notification of selected films: by October 27, 2025
• Festival: November 14, 2025 – CloudWalk Headquarters, São Paulo (Brazil)

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