Oneness of Humanity
Micro-Short Film Contest
Sponsored by Spiritual Life TV Channel
2026 ILLUMINATE Oneness of Humanity Micro-Short Film Contest
Shiny New & Treasured Old
The ILLUMINATE Film Festival invites storytellers, creators, and visionaries from around the world to submit to the 2026 Oneness of Humanity Micro-Short Film Contest which is a celebration of connection, creativity, and our shared human family.
These ninety-second films are cinematic “micro-doses” of goodness: brief but powerful moments that reveal our shared humanity, open hearts, and spark hope. Whether through a moment of kindness, a flash of wonder, a timeless truth, or a surprising spark of joy, we invite you to illuminate what connects us all.
2026 Theme: The Shiny New & Treasured Old
An exploration of stories shaped by time, change, and continuity. Creators are invited to highlight:
- Connections Across Generations
The wisdom we inherit, the futures we imagine, and the threads of belonging that link us. - The Relationship Between the Past and the Future
Where innovations like AI, rockets, and robotics meet traditions, objects, and symbols from eras long before ours. - The Benefits of Every Era
How modern breakthroughs expand the way we live, learn, create, heal, and love as well as how the wisdom of earlier generations continues to guide what truly matters.
● Creative Alignment
Entries should embody thoughtful, meaningful creative expression consistent with the festival’s purpose. Films may be live-action or animated, poetic or humorous, experimental or traditional. All should:
- • Reflect the essential connection and goodness of humanity
- • Offer an uplifting or resonant insight
- • Illuminate a moment of connection, wonder, wisdom, or hope
- • Be crafted with integrity, creativity, and heart
● Criteria
- • Up to 90 seconds
- • Non-promotional of any brand
- • Shot in landscape (16:9 horizontal) framing
- • Submitted through the ILLUMINATE Film Freeway page no later than April 1, 2026 11:59 PM PST. No late submissions.
- • Music is encouraged; film creators must have secured the music rights
- • AI-assisted or fully AI-generated works are eligible when shaped by human intention, purpose, and creative discernment. (See Rules for more details).
- • Films with dialog must be in English or include English subtitles
- • Only one entry per Entrant
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Micro-Shorts Contest Additional Criteria, Terms, and Conditions
● Exhibition
Finalist films will premiere at the in-person ILLUMINATE Film Festival in Santa Barbara on October 2, 2026, with additional visibility through the Festival’s global outreach. Winning films will also be shared with partner streaming platforms, festivals, conferences, and community programs.
● Prizes and Judging
One First Prize winner: $10,000
An additional $15,000 in prize money for Runners Up, People's Choice, and Honorable Mentions
ILLUMINATE Film Festival will promote the winning films and seek showcase opportunities at aligned conferences, summits, and other film festivals, as well as share on our social media platforms.
Judges will evaluate:
- Creative Merit
- Technical Execution
- Adherence to the Theme
Prizes will be announced on the Festival's website.
The Festival's decisions regarding judging and awards are final and binding.
Thank you to the nearly 700 creators who submitted films for the 2025 Oneness of Humanity: Love, Kindness, and Joy Micro-Short Contest
Thank You to our Esteemed 2025 Jury
$25,000 in Prize Money Awarded!
In partnership with The Spiritual Life TV Channel
Chaz Ebert
Louie Schwartzberg
