A competition for AI storytellers

Submit a Body of Work that tells a story from start to finish. Be reviewed by expert judges, and compete for a $1,000 grant and a feature in Prompt Magazine.

Free to enter · Open worldwide · Judged on skill · Entries close 12 July

[THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON]

She looked up at her mother with wide, curious eyes.

"Mom... what's on the Dark Side of the Moon?"

Her mother smiled, shrugged her shoulders, and softly replied,

"I don't know, sweetheart. No one has ever told me."

The little girl couldn't stop thinking about those mysterious words.

That night, after brushing her teeth and putting on her favorite pajamas, she climbed into bed.

Her bedroom was warm and cozy. Tiny glowing stars smiled from the walls, and gentle moonlight spilled through the window.

She stood quietly, gazing at the bright Moon hanging high in the night sky.

"What is on the Dark Side of the Moon?" she whispered.

Just then...

A soft humming sound floated through the air.

Whoooosh...

Outside her window hovered a tiny futuristic moon jet.

Inside sat the fluffiest blue monster she had ever seen.

It had tiny horns, enormous golden eyes, colorful polka dots, and the happiest smile imaginable.

The little monster waved excitedly.

"Come with me!"

The little girl hesitated for only a moment before smiling.

She carefully climbed aboard.

The little moon jet lifted silently into the sky.

Soon the rooftops disappeared beneath them.

Then the clouds.

Then the whole Earth became smaller and smaller until it looked like a glowing blue marble floating in space.

Stars surrounded them in every direction.

After a magical journey, they landed gently on the Moon.

The little girl looked around at the gray craters and sparkling rocks.

She smiled and asked,

"Is this the Dark Side of the Moon?"

The blue monster laughed.

"Nope!

I'll show you the real place."

He winked.

"Follow me."

Together they walked farther and farther across the silent Moon.

Past enormous craters.

Past silver mountains.

Past sparkling rocks that shimmered like tiny diamonds.

Finally...

They reached the hidden side of the Moon.

The little girl gasped.

Before her stretched the most magical place she had ever imagined.

A glowing pathway lined with old-fashioned street lamps wound through a breathtaking lunar landscape.

Far away stood a beautiful Moon Monster Academy, shining warmly beneath the stars.

Fluffy moon monsters of every pastel color filled the valleys.

Mint-green monsters.

Lavender monsters.

Pink monsters.

Peach monsters.

Golden monsters.

Baby-blue monsters.

Every one of them was smiling.

Some were racing down giant craters on futuristic sleds.

Some bounced across the rocks.

Others floated happily through the low lunar gravity.

The air was filled with laughter.

"Would you like to try?" asked the blue monster.

"Yes!"

They grabbed two sleek moon sleds.

Down they raced together.

Over sparkling hills.

Around giant craters.

Faster...

Laughing the whole way.

It became the most wonderful adventure of her life.

As the first rays of morning reached the Earth...

Everything slowly faded away.

The little girl opened her eyes.

She was back in her own cozy bedroom.

Sunlight danced across the floor.

She smiled the biggest smile.

Maybe it had been a dream.

Or maybe...

it had been something even more magical.

Now, whenever she looked up at the Moon, she smiled quietly to herself.

Because she knew a wonderful secret that almost no one else knew.

The Dark Side of the Moon wasn't dark at all.

It was filled with friendship, laughter, adventure...

and the sweetest little monsters in the universe. 🌙✨]

Caracalla

@Damnatiomemoriae

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Edition 1 Theme

The Architecture of Feeling

Pick a feeling - (wonder, longing, awe, the quiet kind of joy, it's up to you!) - and build a Body of Work that tells a story about it. Tell one story from start to finish, as a collection of images and/or videos, or as a single edited video. Think short film or mini exhibition, not a single image, clip, or mood board.

We want to feel it, not just see it.

Full competition details

Key Dates

Entries open

Jun 15, 2026

Entries close, judging begins

Jul 12, 2026

Winners announced

Jul 20, 2026

Entries close in 7d 8h 48m

Awards & Prizes

🏆
Best Overall$1,000 USD grant + 30,000 fast credits + feature in Prompt Magazine
📖
Best Storytelling15,000 fast credits + feature in Prompt Magazine + verified Select portfolio
✨
Most Creative15,000 fast credits + feature in Prompt Magazine + verified Select portfolio
❤️
Community Favourite15,000 fast credits + feature in Prompt Magazine + verified Select portfolio
🎖️
Highly Commended (×10)2,400 fast credits each + print copy of Prompt Magazine + Highly Commended badge

Full prize list

Judging Panel

Angus Russell

Founder, NightCafe

Sarah Impey

AI Community Manager, Runware

Marco Pittarello

Founder, Prompt Magazine

Gully Ahmed

NightCafe community member

About the panel · How it's judged

FAQ

Discuss NightCafe Select

Caracalla

@Damnatiomemoriae

0Kreationen

View Profile

Key Dates

Entries open

Jun 15, 2026

Entries close, judging begins

Jul 12, 2026

Winners announced

Jul 20, 2026

Entries close in 7d 8h 48m

Judging Panel

Angus Russell

Founder, NightCafe

Sarah Impey

AI Community Manager, Runware

Marco Pittarello

Founder, Prompt Magazine

Gully Ahmed

NightCafe community member

About the panel · How it's judged

Discuss NightCafe Select

Caracalla

@Damnatiomemoriae

0Kreationen

View Profile

Edition 1 Theme

The Architecture of Feeling

We want to feel it, not just see it.

Full competition details

Key Dates

Entries open

Jun 15, 2026

Entries close, judging begins

Jul 12, 2026

Winners announced

Jul 20, 2026

Entries close in 7d 8h 48m

Awards & Prizes

🏆
Best Overall$1,000 USD grant + 30,000 fast credits + feature in Prompt Magazine
📖
Best Storytelling15,000 fast credits + feature in Prompt Magazine + verified Select portfolio
✨
Most Creative15,000 fast credits + feature in Prompt Magazine + verified Select portfolio
❤️
Community Favourite15,000 fast credits + feature in Prompt Magazine + verified Select portfolio
🎖️
Highly Commended (×10)2,400 fast credits each + print copy of Prompt Magazine + Highly Commended badge

Full prize list

Judging Panel

Angus Russell

Founder, NightCafe

Sarah Impey

AI Community Manager, Runware

Marco Pittarello

Founder, Prompt Magazine

Gully Ahmed

NightCafe community member

About the panel · How it's judged

FAQ

Discuss NightCafe Select

Edition 1 Theme

The Architecture of Feeling

We want to feel it, not just see it.

Full competition details

Awards & Prizes

🏆
Best Overall$1,000 USD grant + 30,000 fast credits + feature in Prompt Magazine
📖
Best Storytelling15,000 fast credits + feature in Prompt Magazine + verified Select portfolio
✨
Most Creative15,000 fast credits + feature in Prompt Magazine + verified Select portfolio
❤️
Community Favourite15,000 fast credits + feature in Prompt Magazine + verified Select portfolio
🎖️
Highly Commended (×10)2,400 fast credits each + print copy of Prompt Magazine + Highly Commended badge

Full prize list