Tunisian Filmmaker Wins $1M AI Film Award in Dubai
Tunisian filmmaker Zoubeir ElJlassi wins $1M AI Film Award at Dubai Summit for his film 'Lily', highlighting AI's role in storytelling.
Tunisian Filmmaker Zoubeir ElJlassi Wins $1 Million AI Film Award
Zoubeir ElJlassi, a graphic designer and filmmaker from Tunisia, has won the inaugural Global AI Film Award, receiving a $1 million prize for his short film Lily. The award was announced on January 10, 2026, during the fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai, UAE, in partnership with Google Gemini. The event highlighted the intersection of AI and filmmaking, showcasing innovative uses of technology in storytelling.
Award Presentation
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, presented the award. She praised ElJlassi's work for its blend of human emotion with AI technology, delivering a narrative on redemption. The film, created using Google's generative AI tools, tells the story of a lonely archivist haunted by a doll after a hit-and-run accident, leading to a confession and reconciliation.
Competition Overview
The competition, touted as the world's largest AI film prize, attracted over 30,000 participants from 116 countries, with 3,500 films submitted. A jury of 40 experts shortlisted 100 films, requiring at least 70% generative AI usage verified by Google Gemini tools. From a final shortlist of 12, Lily advanced through public voting to win among the top five.
Top Films at the Summit
The top five films premiered at the summit, showcasing diverse storytelling:
- Lily (Tunisia) – Winner, ethical drama on guilt and redemption.
- The Translator (USA/Ukraine) – Connection with nature in a dying world.
- Portrait No. 72 (Philippines) – Bond between an elderly photographer and a child.
- Cats Like Warmth (South Korea) – Robot discovering emotional warmth.
- HEAL (Egypt) – Futuristic memory and healing journey.
Google's AI Tools in Filmmaking
ElJlassi utilized Google's Veo for the film's aesthetic and video generation, Flow for character empathy and scene control, and Gemini for storyboarding and visual design. These tools highlight AI's role in enhancing narrative depth.
Broader Implications
This milestone signals AI's maturation as a cinematic tool, empowering creators like ElJlassi. With top films streaming soon, expect reduced barriers for global filmmakers, though debates on authorship persist. Google's continued investment in AI filmmaking underscores its market leadership.
For more information, visit Google's announcement.
[[Internal Link: Google Gemini]]
