Soulscape 2026

The Global AI Cinema Lab

San Francisco @ KQED | April 9 - 12, 2026

"Your Life is the Script. Your Heart is the Director."

Welcome to the official information hub for the world's first movement dedicated to Resonant AI Storytelling. We are gathering 200 of the world's most visionary creators for an elite 48-Hour Cinema Lab (Elite Hackthon) to reclaim the soul of cinema in the age of attention economy.

The Event

  • Dates: April 9 - 12, 2026 (3.5 Days)
  • Location: KQED, San Francisco, CA
  • Format: A 48-Hour Cinema Lab where AI Artists form teams, judged & guided by Hollywood legends, and produce a short film from concept to premiere and the top IP made during 48 will be evaluate for global distribution.
  • Website: soulscapefilm.com

The Mission

Current AI content is often "slop"—technically impressive but emotionally hollow. We are changing that.

  • Resonance over Algorithms: We prioritize stories that make us feel.
  • Connection over Competition: This is a relay, not a race. We lift each other up.
  • Ethical Innovation: We champion the responsible, artist-centric use of AI tools.

The Stakes: $50,000+ Total Prize Pool

For the elite creators who survive the 48-hour sprint and pitch at Sunday's Greenlight Sessions, a massive bounty awaits:

$20,000

Cash Grand Prize

For the ultimate winning studio.

$5,000

Side Bounties & Grants

For specialized genre and viral track winners.

$25,000+

Creator Arsenal

Premium memberships and top-tier AI computing credits to fund your next greenlight.

The Venue: Lab vs. Summit

Make no mistake—the Cinema Lab is a thrilling race against the clock.

The Cinema Lab (Floors 2 & 3): This is your battleground. You will spend most of your time here testing the absolute limits of AI generation to craft a cinema-grade film.
The Summit (Floor 1): The main Summit (panels, masterclasses, and speaker series) happens downstairs. You will have time to socialize and network with Hollywood legends, but your primary mission is upstairs.

(Note: If you do not want to compete and only want to attend Summit panels, please secure a General Ticket at luma.com/lgbhf1my).

What We Provide

The Arsenal: Premium access to canvas tools (Tapnow, YouArt, Pixero) and a designated pool of elite models (Kling, Minimax, Gemini, Sora 2, etc.) to ensure a powerful and fair production environment.
Mentorship: Hands-on guidance from Hollywood veterans and AI tech wizards.
The Stage: A Black-Tie Red Carpet Grand Premiere to showcase your films.

Cinema Lab Agenda (The 48H Sprint)

April 9: Thu (PM) @ Frontier Tower

The Ignition

  • • Check-in & Team Formation
  • • Welcome Mixer & Keynote: "The Soul Manifesto"
  • • 21:00 — 48-Hour Sprint Begins!
April 10: Friday @ KQED

The Deep Dive

  • • Cinema Lab: Closed-door production & mentorship.
  • • Evening: "Fail Night" Mixer.
April 11: Saturday @ KQED

The Friction

  • • Cinema Lab: Editing & Sound Design Sprint.
  • • 23:59 — Submission Deadline!
April 12: Sunday @ KQED

The Revelation

  • • Morning: "Greenlight Sessions" (Studio Pitches).
  • • Afternoon: The Grand Premiere & Red Carpet.
  • • Evening: Awards Ceremony & Afterparty.

✈ The "Dream Fund" Travel Grants (APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN)

We have officially partnered with the YouArt Creator Partner Program to launch a limited "Dream Fund" to help subsidize travel and accommodation for our top-tier creators flying into SF.

  • The Quota: Highly selective, merit-based grants for 20-25 creators.
  • The Cap: Up to a maximum of $800 USD per person (scaled based on your geographical location and financial need).
  • The Timeline: The final recipient list will be announced on April 9th (Day 0 of the event).
  • The Payout: Funds will be transmitted as a reimbursement AFTER the summit concludes, upon attendance verification.
  • ⚠ THE STRATEGY (DO NOT WAIT): Because the announcement happens on April 9th, you must book your travel and accommodation right away. Do not wait for this grant to secure your trip. Lock in your rates now, apply for the fund, and treat this grant as a surprise reimbursement bonus if you are selected!
👉 CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE DREAM FUND VIA YOUART

How to Join

01
Phase 1 (NOW)

Introduce yourself in #lounge and find potential teammates in #team-formation.

02
Phase 2

Officially register via Luma. Input your exact Discord name.

03
Phase 3

Our team reviews portfolios to select the final 200 creators. You'll get the @lab-finalist role and access to #finalist-inner-circle.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What experience do I need?

No coding required, but prior AI filmmaking experience is mandatory. You will need to submit a portfolio link showcasing your narrative skills as a Storyteller, Director, Editor, or Tech Artist.

Do I need a full team to apply?

No! We accept both Team and Individual applications. Solo creators can build their "Soul Squad" before the event via our #team-formation channel or in-person at the on-site mixer.

Is there an entry fee?

No. Soulscape is committed to creative equity.

Can I participate remotely?

The main Cinema Lab is in-person in SF at KQED to maximize collaboration, but we may have online "Satellite" tracks (Details TBA).

What tools will be provided?

To ensure a powerful and fair production environment, we will provide premium access to canvas tools (Tapnow, YouArt, Pixero) and a designated pool of elite models (Kling, Minimax, Gemini, Sora 2, etc.).

Register Now