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OSIF AI in Filmmaking Policy
As Generative AI tools become more accessible, OSIF is committed to protecting human creativity while giving filmmakers clear, fair guidelines on how AI can (and can’t) be used in films submitted to our festivals and competitions.
This page gives a practical overview of OSIF’s Generative AI Policy.
For full details, definitions, and category-specific rules, please download and read the complete document.
Download the Full Policy
For the complete policy, including detailed rules by department (writing, pre-production, visuals, actors, sound, editing, disclosure, awards, jury guidelines, etc.);
Download Here: OSIF AI in Filmmaking Policy
(Effective: Dec 15, 2025 – Subject to ongoing review and updates.)
What This Policy Does:
- Keeps human authorship at the centre of all OSIF festivals and competitions.
- Allows limited, assistive AI use where it supports rather than replaces human craft.
- Bans AI-generated actors, performances, dialogue, music, backgrounds & worldbuilding.
- Requires clear disclosure of all Generative AI used in the final picture or sound.
- Ties AI use to award eligibility, so human creative work remains what’s being celebrated.
General Policy Overview
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Human authorship must be central.
Films submitted to OSIF festivals must demonstrate clear human authorship in their concept, storytelling, direction, and creative execution.
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AI should enhance, not define, a film.
Generative AI may be used as an assistive tool, but it should not dominate the film or compromise visual continuity, performance, production design, emotional resonance, or artistic integrity.
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Assistive AI use is permitted.
Films that use Generative AI in a limited, supportive way may be screened at OSIF festivals and may remain eligible for some or all awards, depending on the extent of AI use.
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AI-generated primary content is not permissible.
Films that rely on Generative AI as the primary source of principal photography, character creation, visual storytelling, or scene generation will not be eligible for screening or awards at OSIF festivals.
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Human created work will be prioritized.
When evaluating films for selection or judging, OSIF will prioritize projects that demonstrate the spirit of independent film - human skill, creativity, craftsmanship, originality and collaboration - over those that rely heavily on Generative AI tools.
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Full disclosure of AI use is mandatory.
Filmmakers must openly disclose all use of Generative AI in their submission forms and within the film.
Disclosures should be clear, honest, and accurate. This helps maintain trust, fairness, and respect between filmmakers and the community. Misrepresentation or failure to disclose may result in disqualification and may impact future eligibility in OSIF events.
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The honour system applies.
As a volunteer-run organization, OSIF cannot police or verify AI use. We expect filmmakers to act with integrity, honesty, and respect for the community.
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OSIF reserves the right to request clarification.
Judges or event programmers may ask filmmakers for additional details about how AI was used to ensure the film is appropriately categorized and eligible.
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AI-created material must not infringe on rights or likenesses.
Filmmakers are responsible for ensuring that any AI-generated content does not violate copyrights, impersonate real individuals (dead or alive), or use unapproved likenesses of fictional characters, without written consent and/or approval.
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Policies will evolve with technology.
OSIF will review and update these guidelines regularly to ensure they remain fair, practical, and aligned with the needs of the community as AI tools continue to advance.
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AI is a hot and controversial topic.
While these policies may not satisfy everyone’s viewpoint, they are built through thorough member consultation and are guided by transparency and fairness.
Key Rules for Filmmakers (Short Version)
Humans must do:
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Story concept, core writing, and structure
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Direction and visual authorship - all meaningful artistic interpretation
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Principal photography / performances
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Core production design, costumes, sets, props, locations
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Acting, voices, narration, and music/scores
- Creative decision-making and authorship in all major craft areas
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All emotional performance - facial expression, voice, body movement
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All cinematography choices (camera movement, lighting design, framing)
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Core visual worldbuilding and environment creation
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Any action involving character intent, emotion, or physicality
AI may:
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Help you plan, visualize, and stay organized
- Assist with research, alt ideas, and script refinement (not writing scenes)
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Enhance human-shot material in minor, supplemental ways
- Generate non-diegetic visuals (abstract overlays, dream effects)
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Create in-world graphic assets (maps, posters, data screens)
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Add or enhance atmospheric elements (rain, snow, particles)
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Touch up minor continuity issues (texture fixes, cleanup work)
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Supplement human-shot footage (grain, upscaling, stabilization)
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Enhance production design with minor, non-identifiable additions
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Generate ONLY impossible-access inserts (microscopic, cosmic, etc.)
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Be used for accessibility support when needed, with disclosure
AI may NOT:
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Generate your actors, faces, or voices
Replace or simulate any part of a human performance
Alter an actor’s emotions, expressions, or movement
Clone, age, or de-age actors (beyond minimal disclosed cosmetic softening)
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Create full scenes, locations, environments, backgrounds, or worldbuilding
Generate costumes, sets, props, or locations that define the world
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Write your script or dialogue in any substantial way
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Compose or perform music for the film
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Replace production designers, editors, composers, cinematographers, or actors in core creative work
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Produce photo-real images meant to stand in for principal photography
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Replace stunt performers or create synthetic humans in danger scenes
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Generate any copyrighted likenesses, music, or voices
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Be used to fake footage or mislead judges, audiences, or event organizers
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Quick Use Guide
Disclosure and Credits Requirements
Every submission must complete the Mandatory AI Disclosure Form as part of the entry process.
If any Generative AI appears in the final picture or sound, the film must:
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Answer AI usage questions honestly in the submission form.
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Include a short AI disclosure slate on screen:
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Immediately after the final frame of the narrative
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Before rolling the standard end credits
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On its own title card, clearly legible, for at least 2 seconds
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Examples of acceptable credit statements:
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“This film contains elements created with the assistance of Generative AI tools.”
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“AI tools were used in a supplemental capacity during post-production.”
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“Some visual elements were enhanced using Generative AI.”
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“AI-assisted tools were used for visual or audio effects and enhancements.”
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“This film includes limited AI-generated visual or audio elements.”
Award Eligibility Snapshot
Fully Human / Minimal AI
- Under 15% of total film run time contains generative AI.
- No human craft is replaced.
- AI doesn't affect the narrative weight of the film.
- Removing all AI would not change the story, performances, pacing, or overall world.
- Eligible for all awards, including craft categories.
Meaningful AI in Specific Departments
- 15-25% of total film runtime contains generative AI, or a small number of AI-enhanced shots play a visible role.
- AI appear in a few story-relevant shots, or has some weight to the story.
- AI touches a craft area in a way that affects judging fairness.
- Removing AI would weaken certain moments, but the film still stands.
- Film may be ineligible for certain categories where AI replaced core craft (e.g., Best VFX, Best Writing, Best Score).
AI-Heavy or AI-Defined Films
- Over 25% of total film run time contains generative AI, or one or more AI-heavy sequences control the weight of the film.
- AI appears in pivotal story moments, and is clearly noticeable to the audience.
- AI noticeably substitutes human craft.
- Removing AI would fundamentally break the film.
- May be screened only with limited awards (e.g., People’s Choice)
- Fully AI-driven scenes, actors, or music - not eligible for OSIF competition.
Copyright & Ethics
All submitted films must comply with copyright and likeness laws. AI may not be used to imitate real artists, copy copyrighted styles or characters, or recreate a person’s likeness without documented consent. Filmmakers are responsible for ensuring all footage, music, images, and AI models are legally and ethically used.
Contact
If you’re unsure whether your planned use of AI is permitted or how it might affect award eligibility, please contact us before submitting - info@osif.org
Download the Full Policy
For the complete policy, including detailed rules by department (writing, pre-production, visuals, actors, sound, editing, disclosure, awards, jury guidelines, etc.);
Download Here: OSIF AI in Filmmaking Policy
(Effective: Dec 15, 2025 – Subject to ongoing review and updates.)