FRAME ZERO · AI VIDEO HACKATHON
Eight hours and a video API to turn the story in your head into a one-minute film.
2
university editions held
Wuhan University · Shandong University of Technology
40
teams at university editions
23 at Wuhan, 17 at Shandong Tech
100+
students on site
Across both university editions
01FRAME ZERO · About
Every film has a first frame. Before it there is an earlier moment: no script yet, no character names, the camera still off — just an idea that has started to take shape.
Many ideas stop there, because the equipment isn’t good enough, the team isn’t there yet, there isn’t time, or we don’t feel ready.
We call that moment Frame Zero.
A team, a room to work in and a video API — enough to turn the story in your head into a film people can watch.
02Format · Judging · Prizes
No experience needed: participants get online tutorials for the video API before the event, plus training and Q&A in the team chat.
From 10:00 to 18:00, teams write, storyboard, generate and edit in the same room.
Some people write, some think in pictures, some want to dig into the video API — a team puts them together.
Footage must be generated with the video API provided. Teams handle script, storyboard and edit themselves and may use AI along the way.
At 18:00 each team exports and submits an original film of about one minute.
Form teams, learn how to call the video API and test a first shot. Agree on a theme and roles, then start writing.
Break the script into shots — what each shows, how long it runs, how it cuts to the next. Settle characters and look, write prompts and start generating footage.
Pick the best shots, fill the gaps and start editing: order, transitions, sound and subtitles. Generating and editing run in parallel until the film comes together.
Submissions close. Everyone watches the films together and talks through what they wanted to say and the choices they made.
Technical complexity matters less than what a film is trying to say, and whether each shot serves the story.
Scored onCreativityCompletenessStorytellingTechnical ambition
03Editions · Track record
The first edition ran in September 2026; FRAME ZERO now tours universities, innovation parks and other organizations.
2026.09.27
The first FRAME ZERO. Twenty-three teams worked from seven briefs, on subjects from campus life and city culture to public-interest stories. Supported by the university’s Yubing Insight team and student volunteers.
Read the Wuhan recap (Chinese)2026.10.11
Hosted by the AI Lab of the School of Computer Science and Technology in Lab 508. More than 40 students and teachers took part; three judges scored each film on clarity, a memorable idea and smooth editing.
Read the Shandong Tech recap (Chinese)2026.11.07
An AIGC video edition co-organized with Xiamen Torch OPC Innovation Community at Xiamen Software Park Phase I (North). Teams of 1–3 make a 60-second film in an open track or the park’s own brief, “Where youth stories happen”. Compute provided by AMD.
See the Xiamen call for entries (Chinese)04Films · Past winners
All footage below was generated with AI by participants during the event. Select a film to watch an excerpt.
Sets the bronze-smiths of the ancient state of Qi beside today’s creators who use code as their chisel.
Not in the showreelExplains the optimal stopping problem (the 37% rule) as a house-hunting decision.
Not in the showreelA boy can’t afford a rare second-hand book; the gruff stall owner quietly keeps it for him.
Not in the showreelFilms from the Xiamen edition will be added after the event.
05On site
Photos from the Wuhan University and Shandong Tech editions.
06Partner with us · Contact
FRAME ZERO partners with universities, innovation parks, companies and cultural institutions to host new editions.
Posters, long-form posts and teaser templates, published on the host’s schedule.
Online platform tutorials and Q&A before the event.
On-site judging process, scoring criteria and prize templates.
Checklists for check-in, materials, room layout, certificates and photography.
The playbook is adapted to each host’s venue and way of working, with one named contact from planning through event day.
Your message goes straight to the FRAME ZERO team’s inbox. We’ll reply using the contact details you leave.
