Why not meet the works and the people who created them, whom you met beyond the screen, at Makuhari Messe this time?
"Creating creators" AICU presents the International AI Creator Award 2026 (AICU Award) Secretariat. On the day of the award ceremony, Friday, November 20, 2026, we will hold a "Creator Lounge" at the Makuhari Messe International Conference Hall. It is a place for interaction to show each other's works, discuss creative ingenuity, and create encounters that lead to the next creation.
We will guide you through a day of meeting creators and works, from the afternoon lounge to the award ceremony and the evening after-party. Applicants wishing to participate, please respond from the dashboard by 12:00 (Japan time) on Thursday, November 12.
Also, the deadline for general voting has been moved up to November 13 (AoE), which is 21:00 on Saturday, November 14, Japan time. Please cast a supportive vote not only in your own work's field but also in other fields.
First Inter BEE. What kind of event?
Inter BEE is a comprehensive event where you can encounter technologies and expressions related to media such as video, audio, broadcasting, and distribution. In 2026, it will be held from November 18th (Wednesday) to 20th (Friday) at Makuhari Messe in Mihama Ward, Chiba City. It is also an opportunity to experience the latest equipment and production environments and talk directly with companies and creators.
For those who have "heard the name but are visiting for the first time," please check the official "First Time at Inter BEE." It will help you create an image of what you can encounter at the venue before you visit.
To enter the venue, free visitor pre-registration for Inter BEE is required. This is separate from the participation registration for the AICU Creator Lounge, so please complete both procedures. For participation fees for the lounge, etc., please see "Participation Fees (2 Passes)" below. Those who have not submitted works can visit the lounge with the free "Lounge Pass".
On November 20th (Friday) from 12:00 to 15:00, to the lounge where works and people meet
The Creator Lounge will be held on November 20th (Friday) from 12:00 to 15:00 at the special venue on the 1st floor of the Makuhari Messe International Conference Hall. The AICU Award Secretariat is planning this as an opportunity for applicants to interact and present.
The background of creation that cannot be conveyed in an online gallery, the trial and error, and what you want to create next. We aim to create a place where such conversations can happen, triggered by the works. Regardless of whether you win or not, we hope you enjoy the encounters among creators.
In this cover, Mei Soleil from the idol project "AiCuty" created by humans and AI is welcoming you. Whether you are new or have met through works, please enjoy this day together.
"Creator Pitch" to introduce works and activities
At the lounge, we plan to have pitches to introduce your works and activities to visitors and partners. A pitch is a short presentation to convey the appeal and efforts of your work.
What did you create, why did you create it, and how did you use AI? And who do you want to work with and what do you want to do in the future? Please deliver the voice of the "creator" behind the work. The pitches will be recorded and are scheduled to be streamed on YouTube Live. Participation on stage is optional, and the secretariat will decide participants based on responses to the participation registration.
"Creator Market" for the purpose of exchange
We are also planning a "Creator Market (Distribution Event)" where you can talk directly with the creators while picking up works and goods.
This market is not a place for sales aimed at profit, but a project to deepen interaction between creators and visitors through the distribution and sale of works and goods. "How did you make it?" "I want to see the continuation of this work." We value the birth of such conversations.
If you wish to distribute, please let us know at the time of registration. Based on your response, the secretariat will decide the participants. Cash cannot be used at the distribution event, so please prepare cashless payment methods such as QR code payment.
Award ceremony from 15:50, after-party from 19:00
The award ceremony will be held from 15:50 to 16:50 on Friday, November 20, at the open stage (IG-204) in Exhibition Hall 4 of Makuhari Messe. The venue is different from the international conference hall with the lounge, so please allow plenty of time for the move.
Winners will be announced at the award ceremony. If your work might receive a trophy, please keep your schedule open for the day. Also, we hope you look forward to not only the results but also the time to meet other creators.
From 19:00 to 21:00, we are planning an after-party to interact with award winners, judges, and partners. If you wish to participate, please let us know when you register. Please check the individual guidance from the secretariat for details on participation conditions and venue.
Registration for participation is until noon on Thursday, November 12
Sign in to the dashboard with the account used for application and respond from "Confirmation Items" under "11/20 (Fri) Creator Lounge / Award Ceremony Participation Registration". You can check the name and work at the time of application, so guidance will be smooth.
The response deadline is 12:00 on November 12 (Thursday) (Japan time). You can modify your response as many times as you like until the deadline. After the deadline, if there are vacancies, we will accept on a first-come, first-served basis. The pitch and Creator Market are optional.
Participation Fees (2 Passes)
We have prepared two types of passes for those who submitted works (added on November 10, 2026).
| Creator Pass 9,900 yen (tax included) | Basic Pass 5,500 yen (tax included) | |
|---|---|---|
| Creator Lounge | ○ | ○ |
| After-party meal | ○ | ○ |
| AICU Magazine Vol.30 Paperback Edition (handed out at the venue on the day) | ○ | ○ |
| Award Ceremony | ○ | (You can view it even with just pre-registration for attendees) |
| Creator Pitch presentation (recording & YouTube live streaming) | ○ | — |
| Store Promotion (distribution at Creator Market, flyer distribution cooperation, display of payment QR) | ○ | — |
| Loan of color electronic paper badge | ○ | — |
The Creator Pass expands on the contents of the previous 'Contributor Ticket'. Those who have already applied can participate as is with the Creator Pass. On the dashboard, a gold 'Your Pass' menu will be displayed only for those who have the pass.
Please apply from the "Award Ceremony/Afterparty" menu on the dashboard by 12:00 on November 13 (Friday) (Japan time) for meal arrangements. The award ceremony can be viewed with just the pre-registration for Inter BEE (free).
On the day, we will conduct photography and live streaming. Since the video cannot be processed on the spot during live streaming, if you have reasons not to appear, please let us know in advance in the response field. Also, if you cannot participate, responding with "I will not participate this time" will help with preparations.
For those who have not submitted: Lounge Pass (Free)
Even those who have not submitted works can visit the Creator Lounge for free on November 20 (Friday) from 12:00 to 15:00 (added on November 12, 2026). No application is required.
To enter the venue, both pre-registration for Inter BEE visitors (free) and an admission ticket provided at the Inter BEE Exhibition Hall 4, booth 4038 "AICU" are required. On the day, please first visit the AICU booth (corrected on November 12, 2026).
This is a sample of the lounge pass. Look forward to the design on the day!
| Lounge Pass Free | |
|---|---|
| Creator Lounge (meet works and creators, watch creator pitches, take works and goods in hand at the Creator Market) | ○ |
| Award Ceremony (15:50-16:50) | You can view it with pre-registration for Inter BEE (free) |
Cash cannot be used at the Creator Market. Please prepare cashless payment methods such as QR code payments.
For those who have not submitted: General ticket (first 10 people)
Those who have not submitted works can also participate in the after party with a general ticket (Added on November 11, 2026). Why not spend the award ceremony night with award winners, judges, partners, and participating creators?
| General ticket 11,000 yen (tax included) | |
|---|---|
| After Party (November 20 (Fri) 19:00-21:00, with meals) | ○ |
| Souvenir: AICU Magazine Vol.30 Paperback Edition and more | ○ |
| Award Ceremony (15:50-16:50) | You can view it with pre-registration for Inter BEE (free) |
To arrange meals, applications must be made by November 13 (Fri) 12:00 (Japan time). Seats are limited and will close with the first 10 people. No account or dashboard is needed. You can apply directly from the link below.
- Apply for a general ticket (11,000 yen, tax included)
- Pre-registration for Inter BEE (free, required for entry to the venue)
Please also turn on notifications on the dashboard.
After this, there will be broadcasts about your work on the program "AiCuTV," confirmation in the magazine "AICU Magazine," and notifications regarding selection and awards. We will also send them by email, but please turn on notifications on the dashboard so you don't miss anything.
General voting is until 21:00 Japan time on November 14 (Sat)
The deadline for general voting has been moved up to November 13 (AoE). AoE is a notation based on the latest time zone in the world, and the deadline in Japan time is November 14 (Sat) 21:00. This is an advance to proceed to the final judging.
Voting is one vote for each of the 10 fields. Please not only look at the field where your work is included but also view works from other fields and vote in all 10 fields. Encountering expressions from different fields than usual may give you hints for your next work.
Create works. See someone else's work. And go to meet that person. On November 20, at Makuhari Messe, let's nurture the encounters that continue from online together. The secretariat is looking forward to meeting all of you.