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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

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Posted 3 days ago

A Dog Called Melancholia

She had a black dog called Melancholia who dominated all of her time and space. He was so big she could barely take him for walks and, if he didn't want to do something, there was no way to change his mind.
He dominated her life so much that her thoughts were constantly muddled and very negative.
It felt like Melancholia had pushed her in to a deep dark cave where she was all alone, isolated from everyone.
Her thoughts were fussy at best and she felt trapped in a cage of Melancholia's making.
Sometimes it was if she had someone else living inside her, controlling her thoughts, as she floundered and drowned.
She could no longer find joy in anything, even the simple things like splashing in puddles and going on picnics.
She felt totally alone, like no one saw her and no one cared.
She tried to carry on but learned quickly to say she was fine or she was okay if asked and hid herself and her anhedonia behind a mask, knowing that no one really wanted to listen to her.
Melancholia had grown huge on her sadness and behind closed doors she broke down.
One day a friend came to see her, pushed Melancholia out into the yard and gave her a big hug.
The friend helped her to find help and peace. She began to practice Mindfulness and recite positive affirmations daily.
Very slowly, she began to enjoy things she had loved before, making ceramics and spending time with friends.
She rejoined groups that she had once loved, took up art and started to spend time in nature, reading, once her favourite thing to do.
She continued to meditate daily and focus on her positive affirmations.
Eventually she was able to emerge from behind her mask. Not all the time, but it was a start.
Her friends rallied around, all helping to make her feel loved, seen and told her she mattered.
She heard barking from the yard and saw Melancholia in the shadows, smaller and much less scary, no longer dominating her whole life.
She stood at the backdoor of her house, looking out at the bright, sunny, hopeful day.
She knew it was never going to be an easy path to follow, to keep heading to the light but now she was stronger and determined to try.
She took an evening walk barefoot on the beach. Her thoughts peaceful and positive. Those negative thoughts and feelings were like her footprints in the sand, washed away by the waves as she continued to walk forward.
Anonymous User
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@CarianneCuthbertsson

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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

Winners announced in 6d 16h 1m

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

PRO
@CarianneCuthbertsson

  • 0Creations
 
View Profile

Key Dates

Entries open

Jun 15, 2026

Entries close, judging begins

Jul 12, 2026

Winners announced

Jul 20, 2026

Winners announced in 6d 16h 1m

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

Discuss NightCafe Select

PRO
@CarianneCuthbertsson

  • 0Creations
 
View Profile

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

Winners announced in 6d 16h 1m

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

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

FAQ