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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.

Edition 1 is now closed. Browse the winning entries below.

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submitted an entry to NightCafe Select

PRO
Posted 2 months ago

[Julie's emotional roller coaster]

[Both Julie and Bernie are my consistent characters in Night Café. I thought they would work beautifully together for this short, but emotional, story
A day which started out so well. The weather was beautiful and Julie was in a happy, really positive, mood
Her dog is her best friend. Her friends thought it cheesy that she named her St. Bernard simply "Bernie". But it really suits the big, gentle, soppy fella.
But today wasn't to be a normal 'walkies' in the woods. When they got to Bernie's favourite place to play fetch it all went wrong. The stick flew and Bernie excitedly gave chase. He usually returned immediately. But this time there was no proud return of the stick. Just emptiness and silence
Julie began to panic, her heart racing.
She called and called but her efforts were met with deafening silence.
Her adrenaline levels rising at a rate of knots, Julie ran. She didn't even know where to. But she would search every inch of this woodland if that's what it took.
Finding both Bernie's collar and name tag caught on a fallen branch did nothing to help her confidence. She was getting absolutely distraught.
Coming across another walker in the woodland she hoped he may have seen Bernie. But sadly, still no joy.
It was getting worrying now. Bernie had been missing over an hour. Not only did he now have no ID on, Julie hadn't heard a single bark. If she didn't find him soon it would be getting dark
Another walker found and another slight chance that this lady may have better news. But still nothing. She was still trying to be positive but knew , deep down, this wasn't looking good
Then, just when she thought she may have to leave the woodland to seek help. She spotted fresh pawprints, Bernie size pawprints, suddenly there was hope
The foliage was exceptionally thick here and she realised Bernie was probably tired and having to rest somewhere. Being a big boy he could never go far without a rest. She paused , she was sure she heard panting nearby.
Then .......
There he was, large as life. It was hard to tell who was the happiest
As she was covered in dog slobber Julie just let go of her emotions and cried. But these were happy tears. The bond between Julie and Bernie was there for all to witness
After a visit to a pet shop to get a new collar and tag it was a far happier time as the pair walked home.
However, Julie , had already decided this was never happening again..... ever
It had been a very long day, the most emotional and distressing of Julie's life. As she dozed and Bernie snored with contentment the new dog tracker sat on the table.
Ready to be fitted in the morning. This would never happen again ! ]
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Anonymous User
PRO
@DaveS1066

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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

Competition complete.

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
@DaveS1066

  • 0Creations
 
View Artist Portfolio

Key Dates

Entries open

Jun 15, 2026

Entries close, judging begins

Jul 12, 2026

Winners announced

Jul 20, 2026

Competition complete.

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
@DaveS1066

  • 0Creations
 
View Artist Portfolio

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

Competition complete.

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