One of the world's most influential creative events
Every September, London Design Festival turns the city into the design capital of the world — nine days, 300+ partners, and a global stage for the people shaping what comes next.
One platform, from open call to festival floor
Online · From 1 August — An open AI film call, worldwide, across five categories: 1–5 minute shorts made with Sunra or any other AI tool, submitted in the run-up to the festival. Selected work premieres on-site in London, with audience voting and a professional jury.
- Best CommercialA brand or product film that combines creative impact with a clear commercial purpose and business value.
- Best Short FilmA cinematic short, including short drama and other narrative forms, where story, character and craft take centre stage.
- Best Experimental WorkA concept-led work that explores new ideas, forms or visual languages beyond conventional storytelling.
- Best Music VideoA film shaped by music, combining rhythm, performance and a distinctive visual identity.
- Best Visual EffectsAn outstanding achievement in visual craft, built around a shot or sequence that makes viewers wonder how it was made.
Exhibition · Mid-September — Five cinematic demos, original films by our creator partners, and a live look at how professional image, video, and audio gets made on Sunra — beside a dynamic model-compliance board built for the questions enterprise teams actually ask.
Workshop · During the exhibition — Hands-on with Sunra for both sides of the room — the creators who make the work and the brands who commission it: model compliance, commercial rights, and how the platform slots into a real production workflow.
Prizes
US$17,500
- Primary awardCategory Winner AwardUS$2,000
One winning film in each of the five categories, US$2,000 each.
- Secondary tierFinalist AwardUS$300 each
Five further finalist films in each category, US$300 each.
Open to the world. Presented in London.
A worldwide open call and screening of 1–5 minute AI shorts — make yours with Sunra or any other AI tool. No entry fee; selected films premiere in London, judged by the audience and a professional jury.
Sunra or anything else, from anywhere — the work is what's judged. No entry fee, no studio required.
A 1–5 minute AI short — image, video, audio, made with Sunra or any other AI tool. Open to creators worldwide; the submission window runs August 1 – September 5.
Selected films screen on-site at the Sunra show in mid-September — with audience voting, a professional jury, and a curated exhibition of the best work.
When it happens
- The Online Creative CompetitionOpen AI short-film call, worldwide — the online run-up to the festival.From 1 August
- Festival OpensLondon Design Festival opens across the city.12 Sep
- The ExhibitionSix days on show in Central London — real work, made on Sunra.Mid-Sep
- The WorkshopHands-on with Sunra — for creators and the brands who commission them.During the exhibition
- Festival ClosesLondon Design Festival closes.20 Sep
Exact workshop days announced soon
Audience
Creative & tech professionals
AI studio founders, agency creatives, filmmakers, creative technologists working with AIGC tools.
Independent AI creators
Competition entrants and showcase artists; active AIGC community members.
Students & young talent
From UAL, RCA, Goldsmiths, UCL etc. — preference for participatory formats.
Institutional reps / sponsors / media
Government culture bodies, foundations, venue reps, press.
Six ways to partner with the festival
Talk to usFor fashion, beauty, lifestyle, retail, culture and design brands. Partners co-create an in-person workshop during London Design Festival, with creative outputs generated on Sunra, brand exposure through the event, social and PR, and direct engagement with a creative-tech audience.
For agencies, AI production companies, branding and design studios. Partners co-host sessions with live Sunra workflow access, present in a joint AI production showcase, co-create an LDF case study, and gain brand and industry visibility.
For galleries, studios, concept stores, showrooms, coworking spaces and cultural venues. Hosting official London Design Festival programming brings increased footfall, cultural relevance, and visibility through event communications and partner mentions.
For design media, fashion media, tech media, newsletters, podcasts and creator platforms. Partners get access to a timely story at the intersection of AI, design, fashion and brand storytelling — interview opportunities, behind-the-scenes content, and association with an official LDF partner event.
For AV, lighting, camera, screen, fabrication, installation and event production providers. Partners receive credit across event materials, visibility in a high-quality creative-tech setting, content and documentation opportunities, and association with the production of the live experience.
For creators, influencers and KOLs across design, fashion, AI and creative tech. Partners get exposure with Sunra.ai — featured placement across the festival's channels, social and event programming — plus a cash incentive for the content they create around the competition.
Collaboration partners
The partners building this year's programme with us.
See you in London.
Venue, workshop dates and the full programme — sent before they're public.