AI Film Award Dubai: Tunisian Filmmaker Wins $1M Prize

If you thought AI movies were just weird, shapeshifting nightmares, it might be time to look again. Tunisian filmmaker Zoubeir Jlassi just walked away with $1 million (about Dhs 3.67 million) for his film Lily at the 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai, winning the prestigious AI Film Award Dubai.

Presented by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the award is currently the world's largest prize for AI-generated cinema. It highlights how the UAE is pushing hard to be a global hub for the adoption of AI technology across creative industries.

Key Takeaways from the AI Film Award Dubai

• The Winner: Zoubeir Jlassi for the film Lily.
• The Prize: $1 million (Dhs 3.67 million).
• The Tech: Films had to use at least 70% Google generative AI tools.
• The Event: 1 Billion Followers Summit, held 9-11 January 2026.
• The Competition: Selected from 3,500 submissions across 116 countries.

Lily: The Winning AI Film Award Entry

The winning entry, a generative AI film from Dubai, isn't just a tech demo; it's a psychological drama. Lily tells the story of a lonely archivist whose life unravels after a hit-and-run accident leaves a doll trapped on his car bumper. The object becomes a spiritual link to the survivor, forcing the protagonist to confront his guilt.

It's a heavy concept for a medium often criticised for lacking soul. The jury, which included experts from Google, YouTube, and ElevenLabs, selected it for balancing technical skill with actual storytelling. You can watch the full film on the summit's website.

Generative AI Tools Behind the Dubai AI Film Award

This wasn't a free-for-all. The AI film competition Dubai, organised in collaboration with Google Gemini, had strict rules. Every entry underwent a technical assessment to verify that at least 70% of the production used Google's generative AI tools to create their generative AI film Dubai entries.

This focus on creator tools aligns with the broader trend we're seeing in the region. Just as the TikTok Awards MENA celebrated short-form creators, this summit is trying to professionalise the AI creator economy.

The Global AI Film Award Competition in Dubai

The scale of this international AI film competition in Dubai was massive. Organisers received 3,500 submissions from 116 countries. A jury of 40 experts whittled this down to a shortlist of 100, then 12, and finally five nominees.

The finalists competed under two themes: 'Rewrite Tomorrow' and 'The Secret Life of'. Other shortlisted films included Portrait No. 72 from the Philippines and Cats Like Warmth from South Korea.

Why It Matters for UAE

The 1 Billion Followers Summit isn't just a networking event; it's a statement of intent. Hosting 15,000 content creators and handing out seven-figure prizes puts Dubai firmly on the map for AI filmmaking and the broader digital economy.

Sheikha Latifa noted that the award "helps drive and grow the digital content industry, while encouraging young people to innovate through works that break conventional boundaries."

While this event has wrapped up, the cultural calendar is busy. If you're looking for more innovation-focused events, the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival is coming up soon, continuing the theme of supporting new ideas in the region.

EVENT INFO: 1 Billion Followers Summit

• Dates: 9-11 January 2026 (Friday to Sunday)
• Location: Emirates Towers & Museum of the Future, Dubai
• Winner: Zoubeir Jlassi (Tunisia)
• Prize: $1 Million (approx. Dhs 3.67 million)
• Website: 1billionsummit.com

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