MIXED* is a Film Showcase & Story Lab—a platform where filmmakers, mixed-media artists, and creative technologists come together to experiment, collaborate, and share stories. It’s where cinematic craft meets generative AI tools, and where storytelling in all its evolving forms takes center stage.

Anyone can submit a story for consideration in the showcase. Whether you’re a seasoned director, indie filmmaker, AI content creator, or first-time explorer—you’re welcome. Teams can be just you, or a group of collaborators. Cross-discipline projects are especially encouraged, since the magic often lives at the intersections.

We’re targeting Q1 2026 for the official Film & Story Showcase in Portland, Oregon. Official venue details and program flow will be announced soon. In the spirit of co-creation, we’re shaping MIXED* in real time with community feedback—thank you for your patience as the details unfold.

The first step is to submit your project through our CALL FOR STORY SUBMISSIONS form. Stories should ideally combine traditional filmmaking and AI in creative ways. From there, selected teams will prepare their work our showcase. You can expect regular updates from our planning team.

Don’t be scared by the word “film.” Above all, we’re looking for compelling stories. Short narratives, music videos, experimental films, animations, horror shorts, or spec ads are all welcome. Surprise us with something new. Because of the live format, we encourage projects between 1–5 minutes in length.

Cross-border collaboration is highly encouraged, but ideally one team member should be able to attend in person for the showcase. Each selected team will present briefly on stage before screening their work, followed by a short Q&A.

We’re happy to share creative prompts and playful constraints to spark ideas, but you’re free to take your story in any direction. Think of the theme as MIXED* itself—where real cameras, generative tools, and human/machine collaboration can merge in unexpected ways.

A juried panel will review submissions and select 4–6 standout teams to present live. All projects, however, will eventually be featured online. Work-in-progress is welcome—whether that’s a polished short, a prototype, or even a trailer. We value ideas more than perfection.

Leading up to the showcase, our plan is to host virtual workshops and community sessions covering tools, workflows, and creative development. If you’re an expert in one of these areas, we’d love to hear from you about hosting a workshop.

Not really—at least for Version 1. MIXED* is about co-creation, not winners and losers. We may highlight standout projects, but the heart of the event is experimentation, learning, and sharing. This is not a debate—it’s an invitation to explore the future of storytelling together.