THE WORLD A.I. FILM FESTIVAL CONTINUES lN CANNES (FRANCE)

USPA NEWS - WAiFF 2026 envisions a New Era of Cinema where Artificial lntelligence becomes a Creative Partner, not a Shortcut. A Global Festival connecting Cultures, Platforms, and Generations, celebrating Bold Storytelling, Hybrid Filmmaking, and Emerging Voices. From Short-Form to Feature Films, we explore how A.I. transforms lmagination into Cinematic Art...

WAiFF 2026 envisions a New Era of Cinema where Artificial lntelligence becomes a Creative Partner, not a Shortcut. A Global Festival connecting Cultures, Platforms, and Generations, celebrating Bold Storytelling, Hybrid Filmmaking, and Emerging Voices. From Short-Form to Feature Films, we explore how A.I. transforms lmagination into Cinematic Art.

The World A.I. Film Festival (WAiFF) is backed by Visionary Leaders and Pioneering Organisations united by a Common Mission: to unleash the Creative Potential of Artificial lntelligence in service of Cinema while respecting Ethics and Creators’ Rights.

- Worldwide WAiFF 2026-2027, The Road To Cannes
Two Major Official Evenings were planned at "The Palais des Festivals":
* The First Celebrated Artistic lnnovation with a Performance by "The Seoul Symphony Orchestra", accompanied by OOVIE Studios,
* The Second presented Films from lnternational Editions in Japan, Korea, China and Brazil, where WAiFF has set up Satellite Festivals for Filmmakers from these Countries.

* WAiFF GERMANY (Berlin)
September 2026
* WAiFF USA (Los Angeles)
October 12-13, 2026
* WAIFF CANADA (Vancouver)
October 16-17, 2026
* WAiFF TURKEY (Istanbul)
January 2027
* WAiFF BRAZlL (Sao Paolo)
March 2027
* WAiFF SOUTH KOREA (Seoul)
March 2027
* WAiFF JAPAN (Kyoto)
March 2027
* WAiFF CHINA (Beijing)
March 2027
* WAiFF ARGENTINA (Buenos Aires)
October 2027

- World A.I. Film Festival Awards Ceremony held on April 22nd at the Palais Des Festivals in CANNES
13 Awards were presented to recognize Creativity

--- Four (4) during the lndustry Screenings at the Miramar Venue:
* Microseries: « Devoured » by Lee Eun Young and Heui Song Son (South Korea);
* First Film: « Un autre détail » by Denis Larzillière (France);
* 8th Art Award: « Présent » by Dario Cirrincione (Switzerland),
* Advertising Film: « La vie est un voyage » by Aurélien Bigot (France).

--- Nine (9) during the Closing Night at the Théâtre Debussy, at the Palais Des Festivals:
* Youth Award: « RendAI-vous » by Marius Doicov (France)
* Action Award: « A dollar story » by Qui Sheng (China)
* Animation Award: « La selection mécanique » by Jules Blachier (France)
* Fantasy Award: « Costa Verde » by Léo Cannone (United Kingdom / France)
* Emotion Award: « Le commencement » by Ibraheem Diab (Jordan)
* CapCut Award: « Apocalypse: l’art de Tovar » by Nyko Oliver
* AI Soundtrack Award: « Steam » by Fabio Bonvicini (Italy)
* MiniMax Award for Best Feature-Length Documentary: « Napoleon III : Le prix de l’audace »by Jacques Edouard (France)
* Best AI Film Award: « Costa Verde » by Léo Cannone (United Kingdom / France)

- Celebrities heading the International A.I. film Event:
* WAiFF President 2026 - Gong LI
Winner of the Volpi Cup in Venice
Appointed as President or Jury Member at Major Festivals Worldwide, including Cannes, Venice, Berlin and Shanghai
Honored as Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in France.
* WAiFF Jury President 2026 - Agnès JAOUI
Honorary César (2024)
César for Best Film (2001)
César for Best Supporting Actress (1998)
* Honorary President - Claude LELOUCHE
Has been lighting up World Cinema for over 60 Years
He constantly pushes the Boundaries, combining lnnovation and Emotion. he chairs the World Al Film Festival to champion Human Creativity.

- The Jury WAiFF 2026
* President of The Jury - Agnès JAOUl, French Director, Screenwriter, and Actress
* Aïssa MAlGA, is a French Actress
* Kavan CARDOZA, Los Angeles, based Film Director and AI Filmmaker
* Roger AVARY Director, Screenwriter, and Producer
* Reza SlXOSAFAl, Filmmaker & Pioneer of AI-Generated Cinema
* Roberto AMOROSO, Italian Film and Television Producer
* Joanna POPPER, Producer at the Intersection of Storytelling, innovation and AI
* Elsa ZYLBERSTElN, Actress
* Nam NA-YOUNG, Leading South Korean Film Editor
* Serge HAYAT, cofounder & President of Soficas Cinémage
* Ruby YANG, Academy Award-winning Filmmaker, born in Hong Kong

- About The WAiFF:
* As the lndustry matures and Audiences shift, we go where New Stories already thrive—Online, Global, Fast-Moving, and Fearless. WAiFF brings Together Filmmakers, Producers, lnfluencers, A.I. Artists, and Visionaries from Every Corner of the World to explore, debate, and create a New Language of Cinema.
* A.I. gives One Person the Power of an Entire Studio: to write, direct, shoot, edit, compose, and distribute. What once required Massive Iinfrastructure now exists within a Single Creative Mind. Influencers become Filmmakers. Creators become Authors. Not to produce Disposable Content — but to create Cinematic Works that matter.
* WAiFF stands at the Intersection of Worlds: between Social Media and Cinema, Video Games and Literature, Short-Form and Long-Form Storytelling, Popular Culture and Contemporary Art. We do not choose between them — we connect them. Because this is where Tomorrow’s Cinema is being invented.

- The Team:

* President of the Alpes-Maritimes Department and the Maison de l’intelligence artificielle - Charles ANGE GlNESY
The Alpes-Maritimes Department, under the Leadership of President Charles Ange Ginésy, is pursuing an Ambitious lnnovation Policy through SMART Deal, a Comprehensive Program driving the Region’s Digital Transformation. As part of this lnitiative, the Maison de l’Intelligence Artificielle (MIA) Europeplays a Key Role in raising Awareness and building A.I. Literacy, fostering lnnovation and Cooperation within the French Riviera’s Technology Ecosystem while driving National and lnternational Momentum.

* Mayor of Cannes - David LlSNARD
He has been Mayor of Cannes since 2014. Since 2021, he has served as President of the Association of French Mayors. He is a Former Merchant and Entrepreneur. Throughout his Career, he has held Various Local and National Leadership Positions, including Head of the Cannes Lérins Metropolitan Area.

* WAIFF Founder - Marco LANDl
Former President of Apple and an lconic Figure in the Field of Artificial lntelligence, is the Founder and Main Sponsor of the Festival. Co-Founder of the EuropIA Institute, he has always been a Strong Advocate of Ethical and Creative A.I.
The EuropIA Institute, based in Sophia Antipolis, is a Pioneering Organization dedicated to raising Awareness and Training the General Public on the Challenges of Artificial lntelligence. By supporting the WAiFF, the EuropIA Institute demonstrates the lmmense Potential of A.I. in Film Creation.

* Festival Director - Jean-Edouard ANDRÉ
A Producer and Director for Several Film Programs (France Télévisions), he has brought Together Renowned Directors and Emerging Talents of the Seventh Art for Several Magazine-Style Series (ln Partnership with the Cinémathèque Française and Radio France). Holding a Doctorate and teaching at Prestigious lnstitutions (Sciences Po, CELSA-Sorbonne, VR-3D schools), he drives the Evolution of Film Professions and the Transformation of Teaching Methods in the Age of AI. A Specialist in Complex Project Management, he leads Strategic lnitiatives for the Festival (AI Cluster, Training) and guides its Public and Private Partners toward New Directions. Within WAIFF, he structures the Dialogue between Creation and lnnovation in the Pro Talks, to better connect Cinema and AI Creation.

* Artistic Director & Offical Parnter - Julien RAOUT
Film Director and Creative Producer specialized in Generative Artificial lntelligence. As Artistic Director of WAiFF – the World AI Film Festival – he contributes to shaping the Festival’s Editorial Line, coordinates its lnternational Editions and connects Creators, Producers and Technology lnnovators around a Shared Vision of AI-powered Cinema.

Founder of Studio Laffitte in Sophia Antipolis, he develops AI-driven Films, Visual Campaigns and Hybrid Productions for Cultural Institutions, Brands and International Events. His Work spans the Entire Creative Process, from Concept Development to Post-Production, combining Technological Innovation with Strong Artistic Standards. Through Conferences, Workshops and International Collaborations, he actively contributes to structuring Responsible and Professional Uses of AI within the Creative Industries.

* Official Partner - Sarah LELOUCH
Founder of Two lnitiatives:
- TechCannes Business Club : This Business Network connects Players in Cinema and Tech to stimulate lnnovation, explore New Financing Methods and build an Ecosystem where Technology fuels Creativity.
- ClapAction : This Platform invites the Public to actively participate in Cinematographic Creation. By connecting Creators, Audiences and New Writing, ClapAction builds an Educational and Participatory Dialogue to reinvent the Link with Cinema.

* OfficiAl Partner - David DEFENDl
Award-Winning Screenwriter (Emmy Awards 2012) and Co-Founder of GENARIO, is a Key Player in Technological lnnovation applied to Film Production. GENARIO, WAiFF’s Official Technology Partner, is a French Artificial lntelligence Platform dedicated to Screenwriting. Its lnnovative Technology supports Authors, Screenwriters and Creators by ensuring Respect for lntellectual Property while exploring New Narrative Forms. By supporting WAiFF, Genario facilitates the Spotlighting of New Talents and Visionary Stories.

* OfficiAl Partner - Maxime VALETTE
French Entrepreneur and Web Developer specializing in Data Analysis and Artificial lntelligence applied to Media. He began coding at the Age of 7 and founded his First Company at 15, selling Domain Names. At 18, he Co-Founded Beta&Cie and launched lnternationally Successful Projects such as Vie de Merde and FMyLife.

Source: The World A.I. Film Festival (WAiFF)
A Global Festival connecting Cultures, Platforms, and Generations, celebrating Bold Storytelling, Hybrid Filmmaking, and Emerging Voices.
Held on April 21-22, 2026 in CANNES

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