The AI Movie Awards (AIMA), in partnership with James Drake Media, has announced the winners of its second edition, presented at an awards ceremony at the Institution of Engineering and Technology in Savoy Place, London, on 8th November. The 30 finalists were selected from more than 500 submissions from 57 countries.
The 2026 edition introduced new creative categories, opening submissions beyond AI-generated films to include Advertising and Music, reflecting the growing influence of artificial intelligence across the creative industries.
A Face Only A Mother Could Love, conceived, written and produced by Robert Gaudette, took home the festival’s headline award for Best Short. The film follows Marcel Dupont, a lonely man whose unwavering confidence masks a lifetime of isolation, until an unexpected encounter in a Paris park offers the possibility of connection. A poignant story of loneliness, courage and unexpected love, the film was created entirely using generative AI, with AI tools used across its visuals, character design, narration, music and sound design.
The Trials, directed by BAFTA-winning editor Hal Watmough and produced by London-based Wonder Studio, won the award for Best Feature. The 33-minute sci-fi short film follows an extraterrestrial challenge in which Earth’s species must compete in a universe-wide Olympics, testing their strength and intelligence against an otherworldly force. Combining traditional filmmaking workflows with a hands-on AI and pre-visualisation pipeline, it is the first film in Season 2 of Wonder Studios’ AI-native anthology series, Beyond the Loop.
Filmmakers travelled to London from across the world for a weekend programme of panel discussions, workshops, Q&A sessions and screenings of the finalist films. The event welcomed 300 guests over two days, bringing together filmmakers, industry professionals and audiences interested in the future of AI-driven creativity.
The winners of the AI Movie Awards London 2026 are:
Best Short: A Face Only A Mother Could Love, Directed by Robert Gaudette
Best Feature: The Trials Beyond The Loop, Directed by Hal Watmough
Best Animation: The Gift, Directed by Junho Her
Best Drama: Henry, Directed by Emanuele Riccetti
Best Fantasy: Elara & The Ash King, Directed by Marcus Grip
Best Thriller: Maria Maria, Directed by Alex Marco and The One Who Watches, Directed by Leighanne Fernandes
Best Cultural Heritage: The Finding, Directed by Vincenzo Lo Re
Best Diversity & Inclusion: When You Run From Your Mum, Directed by Edmond Yang
Best Sci-Fi: They Came When We Left, Directed by Justinas Vosylius
Best Music Video: Oasis, Directed by Glen Jacques Park
Best Ad: Most Ideas Die in Notebooks, Directed by Julien Paolini
Federico Luglio, Director of AI Movie Awards, said:
“Seeing the incredible range of films on the big screen in London, surrounded by the talented filmmakers behind them, has been a real highlight. The creativity, ambition and originality of the films demonstrate just how far AI filmmaking has come, and the possibilities that lie ahead. Congratulations to all our winners and finalists, who are helping to shape this exciting new creative landscape.”
Thomas Righini Carrington, Director and Co-Founder of James Drake Media, said:
“London was the perfect place to bring together filmmakers, artists and industry leaders to explore the future of AI-driven creativity. The response to this edition has been fantastic, and it’s inspiring to see such a diverse international community embracing the creative possibilities of this technology. We’re proud to have helped bring this community together and look forward to seeing what its members create next.”
The winners were selected by an international AIMA jury bringing together leading talent from film, visual effects and music. The jury included Hollywood producers David Barron, whose credits include the Harry Potter films, and Tommy Harper, whose credits include Mission: Impossible, Top Gun and Star Wars; Academy Award-winning visual effects artist John Gaeta, known for his work on The Matrix trilogy; VFX & AI Supervisor Stuart Cripps, whose credits include Transformers: Age of Extinction and The Day After Tomorrow; and Grammy-nominated artist Fab Morvan, a member of Milli Vanilli.
Tech strategist, founder, and Forbes journalist Maureen Kerr also joined the programme as a panellist, contributing to discussions on the evolving creative and technological landscape.
