The AI Film Academy held its first-ever AIFA Awards in Lisbon last night, celebrating the innovative work of AI filmmakers from around the world. The event showcased the diverse stories and new visual language emerging from AI technology while also marking the launch of the AI Film Academy, an institution aiming to encourage creativity through emerging technologies.
The Best Film award went to Denny the Shark, a story about a shark seeking dental care, created by the collaborative duo of Melody Bossan (France) and Dina Lockamy (USA), known together as Ethereal Moon. Both filmmakers found new creative avenues through AI, with Bossan rekindling her filmmaking aspirations and Lockamy transitioning from a stay-at-home mother to creating intricate films with her partner from across the globe. “It’s amazing how my faded dream of becoming a filmmaker has been brought back to life thanks to AI,” said Bossan, while Lockamy added, “Transitioning from a stay-at-home mother to creating world-building films with this talented ‘stranger’ from across the globe, who somehow seems to read my mind, has been a life-changing experience.”
Denny was one of 13 films selected from an open call across six continents and screened at the Non Fungible Conference on May 28. The AIFA Awards brought together individuals from various creative fields, including film, art, music, and fashion, as well as web3 technologists and entrepreneurs. Notable attendees included Beeple, Vincent D’Onofrio, Randi Zuckerberg, and Claire Silver.
Over 400 guests attended the event, walking the red carpet into The Silver Mirror, an immersive cinematic installation by featured artist Fantastic Planet. The evening continued with a showcase of AI work by the AIFA Jury and the screening of the Finalist films. Awards were presented by sponsors Muse Frame, AImagine, SuperRare, and HUG, as well as AIFA founders Clare Maguire and Leo Crane. The night concluded with a live performance by singer NOANNE in an AI-generated set.
Jury member Laurence Fuller reflected on the role of AI in the creative process, stating, “Technology for me is an instrument. It’s there, it’s inanimate, but when human fingers and ideas pick it up, it takes on a spiritual quality. I believe humans transcend technology in our capacity to feel and think and process the world around us.”
Works by the finalists, jury members, and featured artists are available to collect on SuperRare. They will be showcased at Casa Nua, the first permanent gallery for digital art in Brazil, and then at Sotheby’s Institute of Art as a case study for entrepreneurs. Additional partnerships are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The AIFA Awards, an annual event organized by the AI Film Academy, seeks to promote innovation and inclusivity in the film industry through AI and blockchain technologies. Founded by Clare Maguire, an expert in tech, growth, marketing, social media, blockchain, and AI technology, and Leo Crane, a producer, artist, and educator who has bridged physical and digital industries for 25 years, AIFA aims to empower aspiring filmmakers and revolutionize the way films are created, distributed, and monetized.
As the AI Film Academy continues to grow and foster creativity through emerging technologies, the AIFA Awards serve as a testament to the boundless potential of AI in the world of cinema and storytelling. The event not only celebrates the groundbreaking work of AI filmmakers but also highlights the need for a global platform that supports and encourages this new wave of innovative storytelling.
