Our first editorially judged competition is open, and it is built to put NightCafe creators on a global stage.

If you have ever wanted your work in front of an expert panel and a worldwide audience, this is it. Below is exactly what Select is, what the theme means, how to enter, what you can win, and how to give yourself the best possible shot at the judges.

Let's walk through it.

What is NightCafe Select?

NightCafe Select is a global competition celebrating the best AI artists in the world.

It is free to enter, open to anyone 18 or over, and it all lives in one place: creator.nightcafe.studio/select.

Unlike a Daily Challenge, Select is not about a single image. It is about a Body of Work: a series of images, video, and audio that work together to tell a story. Think short film or mini exhibition, not one frame.

The Architecture of Feeling

Every edition has a theme, and Edition 1's is a beautiful one to work with.

The Architecture of Feeling.

You pick a feeling. Wonder, longing, the quiet kind of joy we all know, it is up to you. Then you build a Body of Work that tells a story about it.

The goal is for the judges to feel your work, not just see it. The strongest entries make someone think "that is exactly how it feels," or "I have been there." You are not illustrating a feeling. You are building one.

How to enter, in three steps

1. Create and submit your Body of Work

Build your series and submit it at creator.nightcafe.studio/select. Videos can be created on NightCafe or edited externally and uploaded to the Select feed.

2. Add your artist statement

An artist statement is required, and it should be 30 words or more. Explain the why behind your entry and the story it tells. This is not just admin. It is where you show the judges your intent, so do not skip it or rush it.

3. Share it and rally your votes

Post your entry to your socials and send people to the Select feed. Every entry that reaches 20 likes on the Select feed moves through to the expert judging panel. Your community genuinely helps you advance, so send it to your friends, your followers, and your diehards.

How entries are judged

Once your entry is through, the panel scores everything on four things:

• Concept → the strength of your idea

• Craft → how well it is made

• Cohesion → how well the frames work together as one piece

• Intent → how clearly your work and statement express what you set out to do

Keep these four in mind as you build. A series that nails all four will always rise above a set of beautiful but disconnected images.

What you can win

There is real recognition on the line, including a feature in Prompt Magazine for every winner and a prize pool of credits across every category:

• Best Overall (1 winner): 30,000 Fast Credits, plus a $1,000 USD grant from Runware

• Best Storytelling (1 winner): 15,000 Fast Credits

• Most Creative (1 winner): 15,000 Fast Credits

• Community Favorite (1 winner): 15,000 Fast Credits

• Highly Commended (10 winners): 2,400 Fast Credits each

Every winner also receives a verified Select portfolio.

Key dates

• Entries are now open

• Entries close 12 July

• Winners announced 20 July

Free to enter, open worldwide to anyone 18 or over with a NightCafe account.

Your turn

Pick your feeling. Build your story. Show the world what you can do.

Want to go deeper on building a Body of Work that lands the theme? Read our full prompt guide here.

Then head to creator.nightcafe.studio/select and enter. We cannot wait to see what you make.