The first edition, on one page
Winners, the 36 films in competition, the juries, the audience vote and the programme: everything that happened at Merge Film Festival 2026.
Relive the 2026 editionFestival presentation
The first film festival in Switzerland entirely dedicated to AI
The Merge Film Festival is Switzerland's first film festival dedicated to artificial intelligence.
Its first edition, from 1 to 4 October 2026 at Cinema Lux in Massagno, brought four days of screenings, masterclasses and public talks.
An opportunity to question the role of artificial intelligence in creative processes and in the wider transformation of our relationship with images.
Merge was born out of the need to give space to a new form of cinematic language, while also serving as a space for reflection on the cultural phenomenon of artificial intelligence. A transformation that is challenging our relationship with reality.
News
Festival updates and news
Le drip wins the Full AI Award
The Full AI jury has given its award to Le drip by Alex Naghavi and Ezra Li, chosen from the twenty films made entirely with artificial intelligence.
Discover the film
Railbound wins the Hybrid Award
The Hybrid jury has given its award to Railbound by Jonathan Perry. An honourable mention goes to Bronze bust, digital guard by Isabel Pastor and Benjamin Rossmann.
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Pillow Men wins the Experimental Award
The Experimental jury has given its award to Pillow Men by Jacky Wong, chosen from the eight works where video art meets artificial intelligence.
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A Message for the Butterfly wins the Youth Jury Award
The Youth Jury has given its award to A Message for the Butterfly by Zuxin Hou and Mark Wachholz. An honourable mention goes to You Will Always Be Welcome Here by Samuele Portera.
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Home wins the Audience Award
The Audience Award, decided by the votes of the festival audience, goes to Home by Emil Gasanov. Thank you to everyone who voted.
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Little Mes wins the Critics’ Award
The Critics’ Award 2026, conferred by Filmexplorer, goes to Little Mes by Fabian Jimenez and Lucas Levitan. An honourable mention goes to Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis by Sabine von Bassewitz.
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Let’s Play Ball wins the Swiss Press Award
The Swiss Press Award by linkfloyd goes to Let’s Play Ball by Dayu, one of the twenty films in the Full AI competition.
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Corriere della Sera features Merge
Corriere della Sera has published an article about the Merge Film Festival and cinema made with artificial intelligence.
Read the article
The four film selectors have been announced
Martina Agueci, Manila Tunesi, Lucas Previtali and Fabiana Marino will curate the film selection of the Merge Film Festival.
Meet the selectors
PoPaCi website is now online
The website of PoPaCi, the company behind the Festival, is now live.
Visit popaci.comMap
Discover all the venues of the Merge Film Festival.
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Main venues
- Cinema LuxThe festival's main venue
- PiazzaLive music, food & drink
- Circle 91The Artist's House
- Masterclass HallMasterclasses, talks and round tables
Partners & Sponsors
They make the Merge Film Festival possible.
Sponsors
Educational Sponsor
With the support of
Partners
Mobility Partner
Hospitality Partner
