About Featival
WHO CREATES?
YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL
An international research film festival for children and young people aged 10–25, exploring how creativity is shaped in the age of artificial intelligence.
About the Festival
WHO CREATES? – Youth Film Festival is an international, research-based film festival for children and young filmmakers aged 10 to 25, dedicated to exploring how creativity, authorship, imagination, and artistic responsibility are shaped in the age of artificial intelligence.

The festival is organized by YOUNIVERSE Foundation, which believes: every child and young person is a whole universe, and cinema helps reveal it at the moment of creative identity formation.
It takes place annually in an offline format and each time in different international cultural and creative centers around the world. This “traveling” format reflects the festival’s philosophy — openness, cultural dialogue, global accessibility, and respect for the diversity of creative contexts. Moving between countries and cities, the festival remains connected to local communities while forming an international platform for young voices.
And the first host is BULGARIA.
Festival dates: 25-27.08.2026, Burgas
Place: International Congress Center Burgas

Festival mission:
To explore how classical filmmaking and artificial intelligence shape the creative thinking of children and young people, not by opposing them, but by comparing, analyzing, and understanding the choice.
WHO CREATES? — is a laboratory of the future, not a technology competition.
Research program
The festival examines:
  • the impact of AI on imagination, responsibility, and visual thinking;
  • differences between children and youth, classical filmmaking and AI;
  • where a conscious author emerges, and where dependence on the tool begins.
Formats: questionnaire, interview, analytical report, public discussion.
Result: annual YOUNIVERSE Research Report.
Two Festival Categories
The festival is built around two equal competition categories: Classic Production and AI Production. By presenting these works side by side, the festival does not seek to identify the “best” approach, but creates a space for dialogue and understanding of how different tools influence imagination, authorship, and the creative decisions of young filmmakers.
Classic Production
Films created using traditional cinematic methods without the use of generative artificial intelligence at key creative stages, such as scriptwriting, image generation, animation, or sound creation. The use of standard digital tools for editing, color correction, and sound post-production is allowed.
This category focuses on authorship and the director’s personal creative vision.
AI Production
Films created using artificial intelligence at one or more stages of production, including script development, visual creation, animation, sound or music generation, as well as editing assistance.
Artificial intelligence is considered a creative tool, not an author.

Responsibility for artistic decisions always remains with the human.
COMPETITION CATEGORIES
Student Film Competition
Films created within film schools, academies, universities, or educational programs, including works completed under professional pedagogical supervision.
Music Video/
Visual Storytelling
Audiovisual works based on music, exploring rhythm, visual thinking, and contemporary screen language.
Animation
Animated films created in any technique, including 2D, 3D, stop-motion, and animation using AI. Evaluation focuses on visual language, world-building, formal coherence, and emotional impact, not only technical execution.
Experimental/Hybrid Cinema
A curated, non-competitive section of films exploring experimental, hybrid, and interdisciplinary forms of cinematic language. The section emphasizes artistic boldness, a research-based approach, and the search for new forms of audiovisual expression.
All films submitted to the AI Production category must contain a clear and honest disclosure of the artificial intelligence tools used in the creation process.
PARTICIPATION CONDITIONS:
You can review the participation conditions and the full Festival Regulations here:
As part of its activities, the festival collaborates with the parents of minor students and with teachers from film schools and academies. See information for them below:
Awards WHO CREATES?
The festival awards are aimed at recognizing creative growth, conscious artistic choice, and authorship, rather than commercial success or competitiveness.
YOUNIVERSE AWARD
Best Classic Production

Best AI Production
Best Student Film
Best Creative Choice

Best Human Vision

Best AI Integration

Best Music Video / Visual Storytelling
Practical Questions
Technical Requirements
LANGUAGE AND SUBTITLES: Films not shot in English must include English subtitles. Subtitles must be accurate, easy to read, and synchronized.
When submitting an application, participants are strongly recommended to upload complete and accurate information about the film, including: film synopsis, poster, director photo, stills from the film, full list of the creative team, and additional promotional materials.
Content Rights
The participant must own all rights to the material used or have permission from the rights holders. In AI productions, the tools used must be specified.
Ethical Standards
Materials promoting violence, discrimination, or violating the law are prohibited. The author is responsible for the content of their film.
Deadlines and Format
Applications are open until June 15, 2026. Results will be announced one month before the festival begins. All participants selected for the festival receive: Official Laurel, Certificate, Film screening as part of the festival, festival catalog
How to apply
01
Prepare your film
Make sure the file meets the technical requirements and the runtime is within 1-20 minutes
02
Fill out the application form
Upload the film to Filmfreeway.com or Festhome.com, along with the film poster, synopsis (up to 300 words), still images (3-5), information about the tools used, and details of the production team.
03
Choose a category
Select between Classic Production and AI Production or other festival categories. The film may participate in only one category. In the case of AI, describe the technologies used
04
Receive confirmation
An email confirming receipt of the submission will be sent to the email address provided when sending the film. The final decision is one month before the festival
Application deadline — until June 15, 2026. The final selection is made by an independent jury of filmmakers, educators, and media researchers.
The festival is organized by
YOUNIVERSE Foundation
Our mission is to reveal the unique universe of every young person, help them find their voice, and express themselves through cinema.
The WHO CREATES? Film Festival is not just a competition, but a research platform for studying human choice in filmmaking. We track the evolution of creative methods and document the path from idea to realization.
WHO CREATES? – Youth Film Festival is a non-commercial and charitable initiative of the YOUNIVERSE Foundation.
  • Film submissions are free for individual children and youth creators who made the film independently. Children and their families are never charged participation fees.
  • Films submitted by film schools, academies, and educational institutions may be subject to an administrative organizational fee, used solely to cover the festival’s technical and operational expenses.
  • Fee waivers are possible for partner organizations.
  • Participants and supporters of the festival may be invited to make a voluntary donation in support of the festival’s educational and research mission.
  • Administrative fees and donations are non-refundable.
Contact Us
YOUNIVERSE Foundation

We are always happy to answer your questions about the festival, the application process, or participation opportunities.
Telegram: @Natalifilms
YOUNIVERSE Children's and Youth Creative Development Foundation,
EIK 208601250
Registration location: Bulgaria, Burgas, Zornitsa, 82
The WHO CREATES? Festival is held annually in August.
Follow the news on our website and social media.
Festival Partners
We collaborate with the People's Community Center "FAR-1946", International Congress Center Burgas, the Cultural Center "Sea Casino", the Municipality of Burgas, as well as acting schools, cultural foundations, and creative associations to create a unique platform for young authors.
© 2024 YOUNIVERSE Foundation. All rights reserved.
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