Tunisian filmmaker Zoubeir Jlassi has won the world's first $1 million AI Film Award for his short film Lily, marking a landmark moment for artificial intelligence in cinema. The prize was awarded at the fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai — cementing the city as a global hub for AI-driven creative innovation.
Sheikha Latifa Presents the Historic AI Film Award
The award was presented by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and member of the Dubai Council, who honoured Jlassi on stage. She said the initiative will play a key role in advancing the digital content industry while inspiring young creators to innovate and push creative boundaries.
She added that the award reflects the UAE's commitment to nurturing talent that helps shape the future of the cultural and creative industries.
What is the AI Film Award?
The AI Film Award, launched in collaboration with Google Gemini, is the first global prize of its kind dedicated exclusively to films created using generative artificial intelligence. Jlassi's nine-minute short — produced entirely with Google's AI tools — is presented in French and explores a dramatic narrative rooted in ethical storytelling.
Lily follows a troubled archivist haunted by guilt after a hit-and-run accident, weaving themes of spirituality and redemption into its cinematic language.
3,500 Entries from 116 Countries
According to organisers, Lily was selected for its effective use of digital technology to deliver emotional depth while conveying a strong moral message. The competition attracted more than 3,500 film submissions from 116 countries — with over 30,000 people globally expressing interest in the award — and jury members reviewed over 400 hours of screen time before selecting the winner.
The top five shortlisted films will be premiered during the ongoing 1 Billion Followers Summit, further highlighting the growing intersection of AI, storytelling, and global creative culture.
A New Era for AI Filmmaking
The win positions Zoubeir Jlassi at the forefront of a new era in filmmaking, where artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a powerful tool for cinematic expression rather than just a technical experiment. For emerging creators worldwide, the $1 million AI Film Award signals that the industry — and its biggest stages — is ready to take AI-generated cinema seriously.
