World's largest AI film festival concludes in Astana, with the Grand Prix going to Latvia
The festival drew 8,067 entries from 125 countries; its $450,000 Grand Prix went to Latvian filmmaker Nikolay Shestak's 'The First Honest Day.'
The Astana AI Film Festival, held for the first time in Kazakhstan's capital, has concluded. Organisers described it as the 'world's largest international competition for AI-generated film.' It attracted 8,067 entries from 125 countries, with 25 films reaching the finals.
The winners
The Grand Prix — $450,000 (201.5 million tenge) — went to Latvian filmmaker Nikolay Shestak for 'The First Honest Day.' India's 'SITARA' took second place ($200,000) and Spain's 'Looking For Perseida' third ($100,000). A special Best Character award went to Kazakhstan's Myrzakhan Zhumakhan for 'It Was Just a Joke.'
Jury and fund
An international jury that included former UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and investor Balaji Srinivasan judged the finalists. The total prize and support fund was $2 million (895.5 million tenge): half for awards and the rest to support promising AI teams and develop film production in Kazakhstan.
