Experience a high-energy, hands-on celebration where cutting-edge technology meets human creativity. Engage with groundbreaking ideas, interactive exhibits, and a vibrant atmosphere filled with excitement. Step into the future and celebrate the power of innovation in a way that is engaging, inspiring, and unforgettable!
🏆 Unveil the winner of the Sparknify Humanity Award — Will AI capture the essence of humanity this year?
🚀 AI vs. Human Film Showdown – Watch and vote whether a film was created by AI or a human.
💡 Meet Game-Changing Innovators – Connect with frontier technology startup founders and tech visionaries in a dynamic setting.
🤖 Experience the Future – Explore next-gen robots, AI-driven creations, and handcrafted human ingenuity.
🎭 Live Tech-Infused Performances – A mesmerizing fusion of art, technology, and interactivity.
🍔 Indulge & Immerse – Enjoy unique food and drinks while soaking in the festival atmosphere.
Host
Sparknify
Co-host
20+
Speakers
30+
Short Films
200+
Companies
Unlimited
Fun
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Film Festival
Make Your Guess. Film by Human or AI?
Featuring over a dozen short film finalists — either created by human producers or generated by AI — you, the audience, take on the challenge of guessing who created each film and selecting the ultimate winner. Cast your vote right after each screening for a chance to win incredible prizes!
Sparknify Humanity Award
Awarded by a distinguished panel of judges, the coveted Sparknify Humanity Award will recognize the filmmaker who most compellingly portrays the human spirit — whether produced traditionally or AI generated — serving as a milestone in AI’s creative journey or a tribute to human resilience and imagination.
Best Picture Award
Honoring excellence in traditional filmmaking, this award recognizes outstanding storytelling, visual artistry, and cinematic craftsmanship that together define truly exceptional cinema.
Best AI-Generated Award
This award honors generative AI filmmakers whose work demonstrates exceptional creativity and technical mastery, showcasing AI’s full potential to transform cinematic storytelling.
Judges
Pixar
Aaron Lo
Technical Director
408 Films
Brian Yang
Film and TV producer
Dariush Derakhshani
VFX & Animation Supervisor & Producer
UC Santa Cruz
Joseph Erb
Associate Professor of Film & Digital Media
CinemaAnyways
Luke Shen
Producer, Director, and Columnist
Vanessa Born
Actress, Producer, and Writer
UC Berkeley
Anton Kaes
Professor of Film & Media
The Asian Art Museum
Cheng Xu
Assistant Curator
Boston College
Gautam Chopra
Faculty in Art, Art History, and Film
Lana Shapoval
Filmmaker
De Anza College
Rachel Silveria
Professor in the Film & Television
California Institute of the Arts
Yaloo Lim
Faculty in Experimental Animation
San Francisco State University
Bill Nichols
Professor Emeritus of Cinema
Plus One Studio
Dan Chi Huang
Director, Producer, and Writer
Stanford
Jan Krawitz
Professor Emerita of Documentary Film
The VOICE Creative
Lingo Hsieh
Director and Screenwriter
San Francisco State University
Rosa Park
Associate Professor of Cinema
Tech Talks
Gain valuable insights and invest the future
Gain insights from startup founders and big tech visionaries leading advancements in AI, robotics, and automation. Don’t miss this opportunity to network, forge valuable connections, and explore investments shaping the future of innovation.
Main Panel Discussion: Human vs. AI
Moderated by Emmy-winning tech journalist Jennifer Jolly, the main panel will delve into how generative AI is reshaping video and audio production, with a focus on its impact in media and filmmaking. Renowned for her work with The New York Times, USA Today, and NBC’s Today Show, Jolly brings a rare ability to translate cutting-edge innovation into real-world context. She’ll guide a thought-provoking conversation featuring a multiple Emmy-awarded director, the founder of a leading generative AI video startup, and a futurist, as they explore the future of creativity when AI steps behind the camera. Speakers and panelists will be officially announced at the press conference on May 1, 2025.
Vendor Fair
Cutting Edge Tech and Handcrafted Goods
Step into a vibrant tech fair where innovation and craftsmanship collide — featuring cutting-edge demos from tech vendors alongside handcrafted creations from passionate makers. Discover inspiring stories from startup founders pushing the boundaries of AI, and hear firsthand from artisans whose work celebrates the enduring power of human creativity.
Food & Drinks
Grab Your Meal and Enjoy the Atmosphere
Indulge in a culinary experience with some of the finest vendors serving a wide range of unique and delicious food and drinks. Treat yourself to an unforgettable evening filled with flavor and ambiance— grab your meal and enjoy the short films by either human or AI.