New $3.5M Future Vision Xprize Global Competition Seeks Next Generation of Sci-Fi Storytellers

XPRIZE, the world’s leader in designing and operating large-scale incentive competitions to solve humanity’s grand challenges, in partnership with Google and Range Media Partners through their 100 ZEROS initiative, today announced the Future Vision XPRIZE, a $3.5 million global film competition designed to inspire optimistic science fiction storytelling about humanity’s technology-enabled future.

The competition invites creators worldwide to submit three-minute film trailers or short films that depict compelling, hopeful visions of tomorrow. The grand prize winner will receive $2.5 million in production funding, backed by comprehensive production support from Range and creative technology from Google to develop a concept into a feature film, along with a $100,000 cash prize. Four additional finalists will each receive $100,000 in cash, while another $500,000 in additional cash prizes will be unveiled later in the competition.

“Technology is unlocking capabilities humanity has never had before—AI that thinks, robots that work, biotech that extends lifespan, energy that’s abundant. But power without vision is dangerous. The Future Vision XPRIZE challenges creators worldwide to show us what we do with these powers when we get them right. Not utopian fantasy. Not dystopian fear. Real, compelling stories about humanity rising to the moment. Because the future isn’t something that happens to us—it’s something we build. And it starts with imagination,” said Peter Diamandis, founder and executive chairman of XPRIZE.

The Future Vision XPRIZE competition calls on storytellers to envision a resilient future shaped by human ingenuity. As the creative technology partner, Google will empower winning filmmakers to bring their vision to life, augmenting their creative process with next-generation tools that lower production barriers for storytellers everywhere.

“Through storytelling, media, and community building, we turn curiosity into commitment and ideas into impact,” said Anousheh Ansari, CEO of XPRIZE. “At XPRIZE, we believe optimism is a catalyst for innovation. By bringing the best minds together, removing barriers for innovation, and fueling creativity we have the power to spark the next great idea that could change the future.”

Range will oversee the screening process and select five finalists among all submissions. These five finalists will be invited to present their visions live at the Moonshot Gathering in Los Angeles on September 25, 2026, in front of a renowned panel of judges spanning the entertainment, technology, and science communities, where the grand prize winner will be announced and awarded $100,000 cash prize along with $2.5 million in production funding to develop their film into a feature in association with Range, as part of the 100 ZEROS initiative with Google.

Submissions open March 9, 2026 and close on August 15, 2026. Creators and filmmakers can register and submit entries at futurevisionxprize.com. The companies will not be accepting unsolicited material via email – all submissions must be entered through the competition website.

Salesforce joins as Presenting Sponsor of the Future Vision XPRIZE. The competition will run on Slack as the operational hub for the global community collaboration that brings the competition to life.

“By bringing this global community of storytellers together in Slack, and giving them a fun guide in Slackbot along the way, we’re creating a space where ideas can grow, collaboration happens in real time, and bold, optimistic visions of the future can come to life,” said John Zissimos, Chief Creative & Brand Officer of Salesforce.

The Future Vision XPRIZE is made possible through philanthropic support from Jed McCaleb, Rod Roddenberry, Cathie Wood and the Abundance360 Community. Their combined commitment represents one of the largest philanthropic investments in optimistic storytelling in entertainment history.

Rod Roddenberry, Founder of The Roddenberry Foundation said, “My father created Star Trek not just to entertain, but to show our potential. At its heart was a belief that humanity could continue evolving intellectually, ethically and socially to ultimately better ourselves as a species. That vision inspired generations of dreamers to imagine a future of innovation shaped by curiosity, empathy and a deeper sense of shared purpose. The Roddenberry Foundation is proud to support the Future Vision XPRIZE because we need today’s storytellers to help envision a better tomorrow for all life on Earth.”

Cathie Wood, CEO of Ark Invest said, “The technologies we invest in today at ARK invest—artificial intelligence, robotics, multiomics, blockchain, energy storage—were considered science fiction before they became investable realities. The Future Vision XPRIZE recognizes that storytelling isn’t just entertainment; it’s the R&D that happens before the patents get filed. By funding visionary creators, we’re investing in the imagination that will fuel the next wave of transformative innovation. This competition could surface the blueprint for technologies worth trillions.”

Author Profile

Al Mega: I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!