The UAE Government Media Office has unveiled a new $1 million AI Film Award as part of the next edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, set to take place in Dubai from January 8 to 10, 2027. The prize is backed by BytePlus, the international arm of TikTok owner ByteDance.
Announcing the category, Saeed Al Eter, chairman of the UAE Government Media Office, said content creators "possess the power to shape public awareness, set priorities, transform mindsets and influence the behaviour of millions," framing the award as recognition of AI-generated film's growing role in shaping how audiences consume stories.
Entries will be judged across seven themes: Science & Discovery, Civilisations & Empires, Culture & Traditions, Inventions & Human Ingenuity, Exploration & Adventure, Turning Points in History, and Lost & Forgotten Stories. Running alongside the film award is a separate TikTok-based competition, #1MillionStories, offering a further $100,000 in prizes.
Organisers expect roughly 400 speakers at the summit, with a combined social media following exceeding 4 billion people, alongside a dedicated "Creators Market" showcasing around 100 creator-led small businesses.
The announcement comes as the UAE prepares to enforce new restrictions on social media use by children aged 15 and under starting in 2027, a policy likely to feature in discussions on the summit's sidelines given its focus on the creator economy and youth engagement with online content.