# Latvian Filmmaker Wins AI Film Grand Prix

> Nikolay Shestak claims $450,000 AI film prize at Kazakhstan's first festival.
- Title: Latvian Filmmaker Wins AI Film Grand Prix · euronews
- Summary: Nikolay Shestak claims $450,000 AI film prize at Kazakhstan's first festival. Latvian filmmaker Nikolay Shestak won $450,000 for his AI film at Kazakhstan's…
- Keywords: nikolay shestak, astana ai film festival, kazakhstan, ai film, grand prix, first honest day, ai tools, festival fund, news, world, politics, Latvian
- Source: euronews — https://euronews.com/2026/10/06/latvian-filmmaker-wins-400000-grand-prix-at-kazakhstans-ai-film-festival
- Author: Meruyert Zhakiyanova
- Published: 2026-10-06T08:37:39+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nikolay shestak, astana ai film festival, kazakhstan, ai film, grand prix, first honest day, ai tools, festival fund, news, world, politics
## Latvian filmmaker wins AI Grand Prix
Latvian filmmaker Nikolay Shestak won the $450,000 Grand Prix at Kazakhstan's first AI Film Festival for his film The First Honest Day.
## Film explores AI's impact on character
The First Honest Day shows how people's actions shape their appearance, with bad deeds making characters uglier and good deeds improving them.
## Shestak: Didn't expect to win
Shestak, who started directing four years ago and used AI two years ago, said he didn't expect to win the prize.

> Honestly, I didn't expect to win. There were so many incredible works and different genres here that I'm curious myself why the jury chose my film
## Second and third place winners
Indian filmmaker Abhik Banerjee earned $200,000 for SITARA, while Spain's Ernest Desumbila received $100,000 for Looking For Perseida.
## Open competition awards
Five categories in the open competition distributed $250,000 across five winners, each receiving $50,000.
## Kazakh president highlights AI's role
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said AI lowers entry barriers for filmmakers but won't replace creative roles.

> Filmmakers and production crews no longer need to knock on the doors of production companies or look for sponsors. The barrier to entry has become significantly lower
## Key takeaway

Latvian filmmaker Nikolay Shestak won $450,000 for his AI film at Kazakhstan's inaugural AI Film Festival.