The 2026 Gyeongbuk International AI and Metaverse Video Contest received over 3,000 submissions.

The “2026 Gyeongbuk International AI/Metaverse Video Contest” attracted keen interest from both Japan and abroad, with over 3,000 entries submitted. This is an increase of over 200% compared to the previous year.

‘Gyeongsangbuk International AI and Metaverse Video Competition’ is an event hosted by Gyeongsangbuk-do to build a global content industry ecosystem. This year, it will be held from September 3rd to 5th in Gumi, Pohang, and Gyeongsan.

According to North Gyeongsang Province on the 6th, 3,403 works from 97 countries were submitted to this year’s contest. The contest, now in its third year, saw an increase of 2,328 entries from last year’s 1,075 entries, a 216% increase over the previous year. In particular, the number of entries from overseas increased significantly from 72 last year to 1,515 this year, further enhancing the competition’s status as an international competition.

By country, entries were evenly distributed from all over the world, including China (203), India (105), Russia (91), Brazil (83), and the United States (75). Looking at the participants, a large number of people from all generations participated: the general public (2171 people), the university student group (1102 people), and the youth group (130 people).

This increase in the number of overseas participants is analyzed as a result of the preemptive global exchange project promoted by Gyeongsangbuk-do. The ministry made its name on the world stage in 2025 by participating in Canada’s SIGGRAPH trade show and Japan’s DCEXPO. Additionally, this year, we concluded a series of business agreements with the China Anime and Game Industry Association and the Digital Content Association of Japan (DCAJ), building a practical cooperation network.

The received works will undergo a preliminary examination by experts in July. The final winners will be announced in August, and online voting will be held through the official website. The final award will be announced at the “2026 Gyeongbuk International AI/Metaverse Video Festival” award ceremony to be held in September.

Gyeongsangbuk-do began full-scale preparations two months before the opening of the film festival. This year, we will introduce a differentiated program that combines the industrial base and cultural characteristics of each hub city.

The opening ceremony, contest award ceremony, and B2B corporate exhibition will be held at Gumico, and the AI ​​Art Tech Awards will be held at Pohang Culture and Arts Center. A game festival will be held at the Gyeongsan Indoor Gymnasium to enhance the synergistic effect of the video festival through regionally specific content.

This year in particular, we will strengthen exhibitions and support programs for BtoB companies. The plan is to build an “industry collaboration global platform” where creators and companies from home and abroad can experience and collaborate with the Gyeongsangbuk-do AI/virtual convergence industrial base by coordinating not only a simple exhibition but also corporate presentations, overseas export consultation for game companies, and networking events to attract venture investment.

Yang Geum-hee, Vice Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, said, “Through the explosive participation of creators from all over the world in the contest, we reaffirmed Gyeongsangbuk-do’s global position as a leader in the artificial intelligence and virtual convergence industry. “Using this video festival as a springboard, we will bring together outstanding human resources and core companies in the fields of artificial intelligence and virtual convergence to Gyeongsangbuk-do, and work towards making Gyeongsangbuk-do a world-class artificial intelligence and society.” Realize a virtual convergence industry hub by building a sustainable industrial ecosystem. ”