The winning film was chosen from 3,500 submissions spanning 16 countries.
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, has awarded the $1 million AI Film Award to Tunisian filmmaker Zoubeir Jlassi for his film Lily. The prize is organised by the 1 Billion Followers Summit in partnership with Google Gemini and was presented during the summit’s fourth edition in Dubai.
The ceremony took place as part of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, the world’s largest gathering focused on the content creation economy. Organised by the UAE Government Media Office under the theme Content for Good, the event is being held from January 9 to 11 across Emirates Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre and the Museum of the Future. This year’s summit brings together more than 15,000 content creators and influencers, alongside over 580 speakers, 150 CEOs and leading global experts.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sheikha Latifa said recognising creative talent and encouraging innovation across content creation disciplines reflects the UAE’s commitment to supporting individuals shaping the future of the cultural and creative industries. She noted that the AI Film Award plays a key role in advancing the digital content sector while motivating young creators to explore new forms of expression that challenge traditional boundaries and highlight the role of technology in enhancing human creativity.
She emphasised that purposeful content has a powerful role in promoting positive values, strengthening community awareness and inspiring creative thinking. She added that the UAE takes pride in backing initiatives that empower creators to transform ideas into meaningful impact, contributing to knowledge, social progress and improved quality of life.
Sheikha Latifa also highlighted the evolution of the 1 Billion Followers Summit into a global platform that champions innovation and celebrates emerging talent in new media. Guided by the UAE’s leadership vision, she said the country remains committed to building a supportive ecosystem that equips creators with tools to extend their influence globally. She congratulated Jlassi on his win, praising his creative vision and effective use of technology as a reflection of a new generation reshaping the content creation industry.
The AI Film Award attracted 3,500 film submissions, while more than 30,000 participants from 116 countries registered interest, underlining the initiative’s global reach. The award aims to encourage the production of impactful films that make extensive use of AI tools, including Google Gemini, while supporting creators in delivering culturally resonant and socially meaningful messages.
A specialised jury of 40 experts reviewed approximately 400 hours of submitted content through a multi-stage evaluation process. From the initial submissions, 100 films were shortlisted after ensuring compliance with the award’s criteria, with non-qualifying entries excluded. The shortlisted films then underwent advanced technical assessment using Google Gemini to verify content quality and technical standards, confirming that each production used at least 70% generative AI tools from Google.
Following jury selection and public voting, Lily advanced to the final five nominees alongside Portrait No. 72, Cats Like Warmth, HEAL and The Translator. The shortlisted works were divided into two thematic categories, Rewrite Tomorrow and The Secret Life of, showcasing diverse global perspectives and creative approaches.
All finalist films demonstrated strong storytelling, visual quality, innovative integration of AI technologies and adherence to transparency and ethical standards. The jury included senior creative and technology figures from Google, YouTube and the AI and filmmaking sectors, as well as internationally recognised content creators.
Lily tells the story of a solitary archivist whose life is disrupted by a doll lodged on his car bumper following a hit-and-run accident he committed. As the doll becomes a haunting reminder of his actions and a spiritual link to the surviving child, the protagonist is forced to confront his guilt. The film culminates in an act of redemption as he confesses to the authorities and reunites the doll with the child in hospital, conveying a powerful message about moral accountability and the silent truth carried by objects.
