Short Film Competition

Competition overview

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi launches the short film competition, as a part of its Year of AI and the 20th Anniversary celebrations. We invite submissions from school and university students across the UAE on the theme of “20 Years, 20 Visions: Imagining the Next 20 Years of SUAD with AI”. 

The competition invites students to create a short film about Sorbonne Abu Dhabi, exploring its journey, impact, and future vision in the context of AI and innovation. This is a unique opportunity to turn your creative work into a real academic and career stepping stone.  

This initiative encourages students to develop a short film that goes beyond a simple competition — it becomes a recognized, juried project endorsed by Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. 

Participants are encouraged to express their ideas freely and creatively, using the format that best brings their vision to life.  

To ensure transparency, credibility, and a balance between academic and creative elements, submissions will be evaluated based on the following weighted criteria: 

1- Concept & vision

• Originality and strength of future vision

• Relevance to the theme “Next 20 Years with AI”

• Depth of thought and societal relevance

2- Use of AI in Storytelling

• Meaningful, ethical, and creative integration of AI

• Innovation in how AI enhances narrative or production

3- Narrative & Emotional Impact

• Clarity of story

• Ability to provoke reflection, curiosity, or dialogue

4- Technical & Artistic Execution

• Visual quality, sound, editing, and coherence

5- Alignment with SUAD Values

• Multiculturalism, critical thinking, ethics, future readiness

Who should apply?  

• School and university students: Grades 10, 11, and 12, as well as undergraduate students 

• Students in media, film, communication, or design 

• Students in AI, technology, data, or innovation interested in creativity and ethics 

• Students in humanities and social sciences who think critically about the future of AI 

Video format & technical guidelines 

• Duration: Maximum 3 minutes 

• Accepted formats: MP4 or MOV 

• Aspect ratio: 16:9 (preferred) or 1:1 

• File Size: Up to 500MB (WeTransfer link or any equivalent file-transfer platform) 

• Resolution: Minimum Full HD (1080p) 

• Languages: English, Arabic, or French (subtitles recommended for accessibility) 

Videos may include direct-to-camera storytelling, original footage filmed by the student, the use of archival or external footage, graphics, animations, or AI-powered tools to imagine and visualise the future through their own interpretation. 

Submissions may follow a clear storyline with or without voice-over, combine multiple visual techniques, or rely purely on visuals and sound. 

There is no restriction on creative approach, provided the content aligns with the competition theme and meets the technical requirements outlined above. 

Key dates & timeline 

• Submission deadline: From 18 February until 8 June 2026 

• Evaluation phase: 9–15 June 2026 

• Winner announcement: 29 June 2026 

Kindly note that submissions for the competition are now closed.

What students gain 

Winners will receive a host of exciting rewards, such as: 

• An official SUAD certificate acknowledging your achievement

• SUAD-branded goodies to celebrate your success

Meet the winner

Saleha Almansoori, student in Archaeology and History of Arts at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, won the competition with Mémoire du futur. The film follows a young woman who revisits her university years through a memory-retrieval device, discovering that what once felt like routine was actually a series of freedoms: to learn, to fail, to change, to become.