The Astana AI Film Festival was held for the first time in Kazakhstan, attracting over 8,000 submissions from 125 countries. The international competition has become one of the largest platforms dedicated to films created using artificial intelligence.
The festival's Grand Prix went to Nikolai Shestak from Latvia for his work "The First Honest Day." The winner received the main prize of $450,000, or approximately 201.5 million tenge.
Kazakhstani participant Myrzakhan Zhumakhan won in the "Best Character" category. His comedy work "It Was Just a Joke" tells the story of a conflict between a dog and its owner's brother, which begins with a joke and develops into a dynamic plot.
Second place went to the film "SITARA" from India, receiving $200,000, or approximately 89.5 million tenge. Third place went to the Spanish project "Looking For Perseida," which received a prize of $100,000, or approximately 44.8 million tenge.
A total of 25 works advanced to the festival finals. They were judged by an international jury consisting of representatives from the creative industry, technology, and international organizations.
The total prize fund for the Astana AI Film Festival was $2 million, or approximately 895.5 million tenge. Half of this amount was allocated to awards for the winners, and the other half to support promising AI teams and the development of production in Kazakhstan.
The holding of the first AI Film Festival in Astana demonstrates that artificial intelligence is becoming part of the new film industry. By hosting a competition of this scale, Kazakhstan is strengthening its position as a platform where technology, the creative economy, and contemporary art meet.