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NightCafe Select

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

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submitted an entry to NightCafe Select

Posted 8 days ago

[LOST FRIENDSHIP REKINDLED]

[I created this set of images as the third in a trilogy. The first is ‘Sipho: South African township boy’; the second, ‘Caroline: little English girl with heart’. Sipho and Caroline’s paths crossed briefly in the second part of the trilogy, when they parted company in sad circumstances. By reuniting them, the third and final part of the trilogy explores the feelings associated with sustaining a long distance, cross-cultural friendship. I used the Z-Image Turbo model because it portrays the story realistically without unnecessary clutter. I have not used text because I wanted the images to speak for themselves – although Z-Image Turbo is capable of accurately rendering images with simple banners and thought/speech bubbles.
  1. Caroline (in England) and Sipho (in South Africa) communicate regularly by email and 'phone, missing the friendship they built while Caroline was working on Sipho's project in Johannesburg [feelings: loneliness as a widower (Sipho); compassion and concern (Caroline)].
  2. In time, Caroline realises there is nothing more she can do. She begins to feel that Sipho is taking her for granted. Sipho senses this and they agree to move on, keeping in touch but not as frequently [feelings: resentment, guilt and sadness (Caroline); disappointment and sadness (Sipho)].
  3. Eventually, Caroline and Sipho each meet people with whom they decide to spend the rest of their lives (feelings: happiness).
  4. A daughter is born to Caroline and her much older husband; Sipho's much younger new wife also gives birth to a daughter (feelings: joy).
  5. Caroline pursues her career in England; Sipho retires. Each is content and happily married. Leading such different lives, inevitably Caroline and Sipho drift apart and stop communicating (feelings: contentment, acceptance).
  6. Having completed their schooling, Caroline's daughter (Tania) and Sipho's daughter (Dikeledi) have each planned gap years in countries far from home. If Caroline and Sipho ever mentioned each other to their children, neither of the girls remembers (feelings: excitement).
  7. Tania and Dikeledi meet in a remote Andean village, where they have volunteered to help with a nearby environmental conservation project. They share an interest in learning the traditional craft of weaving and become close friends (feelings: companionship, security).
  8. Only when Caroline and Sipho visit their children in the Andean village does everyone become aware of their links and shared history. Sipho's wife remains at home, pursuing a career; Caroline's husband is running a business in England and cannot join her (feelings: joy, amazement).
  9. The strong bond that existed so many years earlier between Caroline and Sipho is restored. Their daughters are overjoyed to have been instrumental in reuniting them (feelings: exhilaration).]
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Anonymous User
@incredibleconnection

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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 2d 13h 57m

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

Gully Ahmed

NightCafe community member

About the panel · How it's judged

FAQ

Discuss NightCafe Select

@incredibleconnection

  • 0Creations
 

Key Dates

Entries open

Jun 15, 2026

Entries close, judging begins

Jul 12, 2026

Winners announced

Jul 20, 2026

Entries close in 2d 13h 57m

Discuss NightCafe Select

@incredibleconnection

  • 0Creations
 

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 2d 13h 57m

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

Discuss NightCafe Select

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

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