AI & Authorship

The work must be yours.

The prize celebrates human creative authorship. AI may assist your process; it may not replace your work.

Allowed

Spelling and grammar help on your written statement
Color correction, noise reduction, stabilization, loudness
Transcription and caption drafts that you verify
Research, outlining, and scheduling assistants

Not allowed

AI-generated primary footage or imagery as the substance of the film
Fully generative "documentaries" from prompts
Deepfakes or synthetic interviewees presented as real people
Machine-authored narration presented as your unaided voice

Violations are grounds for disqualification.

Why we ask

An honest line, drawn with care

The Arts Club was founded by artists in 1916, and it has watched every tool arrive since - the portable camera, the synthesizer, the digital edit. Tools serve artists. This policy simply keeps it that way: your eye, your judgment, your voice must be the author of the film.

Applicants attest that the work is original and the policy was followed. Finalists may be asked for project files or a short conversation about how the work was made - the same conversation any documentarian should be glad to have.