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”