XPRIZE Launches Sci-Fi Film Competition With $3.5 Million in Prizes

Mar 9, 2026 9:00am PT XPrize Launches Sci-Fi Film Competition With $3.5 Million in Rewards By Kennedy French Plus Icon Kennedy French Latest Corey Parker, ‘Will & Grace’ and ‘Friday the 13th: A New Beginning’ Actor, Dies at 60 2 days ago Alan Trustman, ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’ and ‘Bullitt’ Screenwriter, Dies at 95 2 days ago Alliance of Women Directors and Starz Launch Creative Leadership Lab to Support Female TV Directors (EXCLUSIVE) 3 days ago See All Courtesy of XPRIZE XPRIZE has launched a global film competition aimed at inspiring a new wave of optimistic science fiction storytelling about humanity’s technology-enabled future. The Future Vision XPRIZE invites filmmakers and creators worldwide to submit three-minute trailers or short films depicting hopeful visions of tomorrow. The initiative is presented in partnership with Google and Range Media Partners through their 100 Zeros initiative. Related Stories Mark Ruffalo Fires Back at James Cameron After 'Avatar' Director Slammed Netflix-Warner Bros. Deal: 'Are You Also Against the Monopolization That a Paramount Acquisition Would Create?' Katie Leung 'Would Not Want to Go Back' to Her Time Shooting 'Harry Potter' Movies: 'I Was So Easily Influenced' The grand prize winner will receive $2.5 million in production funding to develop their concept into a feature film, along with a $100,000 cash prize. Four additional finalists will each receive $100,000, with another $500,000 in prizes expected to be announced later in the competition. Popular on Variety “While cautionary tales have always played a vital role on screen, this competition creates space for a different, equally essential kind of storytelling — one that explores the complex optimism of a world in transition,” said Peter Diamandis, founder and executive chairman of XPRIZE Foundation. “Entertainment shapes our collective imagination, and we want to empower creators to illustrate the human determination and vision required to build toward a future where we truly thrive.” As the creative technology partner, Google will provide tools designed to help filmmakers bring their concepts to life, while Range will oversee the screening process and select five finalists from submissions. Those finalists will present their projects live at the Moonshot Gathering in Los Angeles on Sept. 25, where a panel of judges from the entertainment, technology and science sectors will select the grand prize winner. Submissions open March 9 and close Aug. 15 at the competition’s website. The initiative is supported by philanthropic contributions from Jed McCaleb, Rod Roddenberry, Cathie Wood and the Abundance360 community. Jump to Comments ‘Bucks Harbor’ Picked Up by Indox Ahead of Berlinale World Premiere (EXCLUSIVE) Billie Eilish Concert Doc Release Pushed to May; James Cameron Says ‘We’re Dialing in Cool, New 3D Tech’ Rise and Shine Acquires Documentary ‘In Cod We Trust’ Ahead of Thessaloniki World Premiere (EXCLUSIVE) ‘Nuisance Bear’ Directors on Why Their ‘Super-Scrappy,’ A24-Backed Sundance Winner Isn’t a ‘Traditional Nature Documentary’ John Wilson, Sara Dosa Among Speakers in Lineup for CPH:DOX’s Conference and Summit Program ‘Christiania’ Filmmaker on the Anarchic Commune That Battled With Drug Pushers, Biker Gangs and an Alcoholic Bear (EXCLUSIVE) JavaScript is required to load the comments. Loading comments...