Dubai: The 1 Billion Followers Summit, the globe's most extensive gathering dedicated to the content creation economy and organized by the UAE Government Media Office, has revealed the Top 12 shortlisted films vying for the world's largest AI-Generated Film Award, valued at US$1 million. This prestigious award is a collaborative effort between the summit and Google Gemini.
According to Emirates News Agency, a specialized jury consisting of global experts, advisors, and creative content creators meticulously selected these 12 films from a staggering 3,500 submissions. Public voting for these films will be available from 21 to 25 December via this link: https://aifilm.1billionsummit.com. The jury comprises eminent figures such as Dan Germain, Executive Creative Director at Google Brand Studio London, Ali Ali, a renowned film director and cofounder of Good People, and Christian Haas, Executive Creative Director at YouTube. Other notable members include Piotr Dabkowski, Co-Founder at ElevenLabs, and Marina Mogilko, an influential entrepreneur and content creator.
A rigorous review of 400 hours of films was undertaken by a committee of 40 experts and specialists to produce the initial shortlist. Post public voting, the judging panel will narrow down the selection to the Top 5 films, which will be showcased on 10 January 2026, during the fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit. The grand event is set to occur from 9th to 11th January 2026, spanning Emirates Towers, the Dubai International Financial Centre, and the Museum of the Future, under the theme "Content for Good."
The award aims to inspire the creation of films with significant content utilizing a broad range of artificial intelligence tools while fostering creative capabilities for delivering messages that bridge cultural gaps. Over 30,000 participants from 116 countries have expressed interest in this pioneering initiative.
Anthony Nakache, Managing Director for Google in the Middle East and North Africa, highlighted the collaboration with the summit, emphasizing the award's role as a genuine platform for discovering talent among content creators, regardless of their resources or prior experience.
Alia AlHammadi, Vice Chairperson of the UAE Government Media Office, noted the summit's significance in advancing the digital content industry and stimulating creativity across varied formats and disciplines. She acknowledged the exceptional creativity reflected in the submissions, characterized by profound human and artistic vision.
The 12 shortlisted films are categorized into two themes: 'Rewrite Tomorrow' and 'The Secret Life of Everything.' These films explore futuristic visions, emotional narratives, and the hidden lives around us through compelling storytelling and innovative use of AI technologies. Notable films include "Heal" by Mohamed Gomaa Rizk, "Cats Like Warmth" by Lee Su Yeol, and "Homeward" by Nav Lotay, among others.
The jury conducted an exhaustive evaluation process, ensuring each film's compliance with eligibility requirements. The technical review, using Google Gemini, verified that each film was produced with at least 70% generative AI tools developed by Google.
The award promotes the production of films with meaningful content, elevates human-centered messages, and enhances the storytelling capabilities of content creators worldwide.