Saturday, August 29, 2026 · Las Vegas + live stream
The “Back To Class” AI hackathon schedule
One day, one prompt, one finished project: micro-coaching bursts paired with uninterrupted build blocks, ending in a live showcase. Every pass gets both tracks and every Train block — no session upgrades, no add-on fees. Times are Pacific and hold to within about ten minutes, which for a hackathon is a miracle.
Pre-Event LMS: Zero-to-One Vault
Unlocks August 1, 2026Pre-summit digital curriculum so nobody spends Saturday morning catching up.
- API onboarding + core setup walkthroughs
- CRM setup for teams and small studios
- AI media workflow baselines (pre-summit assessment)
Two tracks, one deadline
The Back To Class AI Hackathon runs 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, in person and on the live virtual stream. Pick Track A or Track B — nothing is ticketed separately, and both tracks share the same Train blocks and mentor floor.
Vibe Coding
Software as a creative media format: web and app UIs, databases, and a deployed build by the deadline. Games, interactive stories, and edutainment tools all live here.
- — Cursor, Lovable, Bolt and AI-driven IDEs
- — Backend connectivity in the integration sprint
- — Live URL submitted to the judging dashboard
AI Cinema
Directing cinematic shorts and original soundtracks end to end — look development, motion, pacing, voice, and score, all generated in the room.
- — Midjourney, Runway Gen-3, ElevenLabs, Suno / Udio
- — Advanced polish and audio block before the deadline
- — 60-second demo video at submission
Your hackathon track
Pick a track and we'll tailor the rest
Choose Track A or Track B to get your prep checklist, the tools we hand credits out for, and an agenda marked with the blocks that are yours. Switch any time.
Broadcast & production
The day is produced as a two-room show: a dedicated streaming station and house cameras covering the main stage, StreamYard as the broadcast hub, and Discord running team rooms and mentor channels so virtual pass holders build alongside the room, not behind it.
Saturday, August 29
The "Back To Class" AI Hackathon — 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Pacific, in person in Las Vegas plus a live virtual stream. Micro-coaching bursts paired with uninterrupted build blocks: blank prompt in, production-ready project out.
- 9:00 AM · Kickoff
Challenge Reveal & "Back to Class" Theme Announcement
KeynoteDoors, coffee, and the live challenge drop. How the day runs, how judging works, and how in-person and virtual builders work side by side. The clock starts here.
- 9:15 AM · Train
Instant Ideation
Track B · AI CinemaSynthesize messy ideas into a 1-page PRD or storyboard using NotebookLM and Gemini Gems. You leave this block with a scoped project, not a vibe.
- 10:00 AM · Train
The Builder's Toolbox
Split by track: UI generation and app scaffolding for Track A, hero assets and motion for Track B.
Track A · Vibe CodingTrack A — Vibe CodingUI Generation & App Scaffolding
Screens, components, and data models generated fast with Cursor, Lovable, and Bolt.
Track B · AI CinemaTrack B — AI CinemaHero Assets & Motion
Look development and first motion tests with Midjourney and Runway Gen-3.
- 10:45 AM · Do
Core Build Sprint
Track A · Vibe CodingUninterrupted code and asset generation. Mentors circulate the tables in the room and drop into virtual breakout rooms on request.
- 12:00 PM · Train
Working Lunch & Live Debugging
Catered lunch at the tables while we troubleshoot on stage: API errors, auth failures, video morphing, and render artifacts — real submissions, live fixes.
- 12:45 PM · Do
Integration Sprint
Track A · Vibe CodingThe longest build block of the day: backend connectivity for Track A, timeline pacing and sequence assembly for Track B.
- 2:30 PM · Train
Advanced Polish & Audio
Track B · AI CinemaVoiceovers with ElevenLabs and custom scoring with Suno and Udio. Includes Dr. Shartriya Collier on how instructors and educators use AI to design, differentiate, and give feedback at scale.
- 3:00 PM · Do
Final Polish Sprint
Track A · Vibe CodingDeploying code, upscaling renders, and squashing bugs. Mentors on the floor and in the virtual rooms the whole block.
- 4:30 PM · Train
The Perfect Pitch
Track B · AI CinemaHow to record a winning 60-second demo video. Includes Schatar White-Collier on turning AI media skills into revenue: offers, client delivery, and the automations that keep a small studio profitable.
- 4:45 PM · Deadline
🚨 Project Submissions Due
Demo link and 60-second video overview submitted to the judging dashboard. Late submissions screen, but they don't score.
- 5:00 PM · Showcase
Live Showcase & Awards
Top projects across both tracks stream live to the room and the virtual audience, prizes go to Track A and Track B winners plus People's Choice, and everyone walks out with Replay Vault access.
Seats are capped
Registration is capped to keep the mentor-to-builder ratio high during the live troubleshooting blocks — when the build floor is full, it is full.
Secure your creative spot