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AI Film Wins Top Istanbul Festival Award
20 Apr
Summary
- AI-created film 'Memory of Princess Mumbi' won the Golden Tulip.
- This marks the first time an AI-made feature won a major festival award.
- Istanbul Film Festival celebrated a revamped, more global format.
The 45th Istanbul Film Festival concluded on April 19, awarding the Golden Tulip to Damien Hauser's "Memory of Princess Mumbi." This dystopian fable, set in a futuristic Africa and notably created with artificial intelligence, made history as the first AI-assisted feature to win a major festival's top prize. Hauser stated AI was crucial to its creation, even as he aimed to produce something AI couldn't replicate.
The festival, organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts, featured a revitalized format under artistic director Kerem Ayan, blending Turkish and international films in its main competition. Its "Meetings on the Bridge" market component also saw a relaunch, further boosting the event's industry presence and promoting local cinema.
Other notable awards included the Special Jury Prize for Bi Gan's "Resurrection," best director for Romane Gueret and Lise Akoka's "Summer Beats," and acting honors for İnci Sefa Cingöz and Kemal Burak Alper from Turkish productions "Those Who Whistle After Dark" and "Dead Dogs Don't Bite," respectively.
