Tunisian creativity has once again shone on the international stage as filmmaker Zoubeir Jlassi won the Grand Prize for AI-Generated Films for his short film LILY at the One Billion Followers Summit, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from January 9 to 11, 2026.
The award was announced during one of the world’s largest global gatherings dedicated to content creators, digital innovation, and emerging technologies. This prestigious recognition positions LILY as a bold and pioneering work, placing Tunisia at the forefront of a rapidly evolving sector shaped by unprecedented technological transformation.
LILY stood out among intense international competition, earning a place in the top ten finalists selected from thousands of submissions worldwide. The competition, sponsored by Google, is considered as the largest of its kind for films produced entirely using artificial intelligence.
The film was praised for its refined visual storytelling, distinctive artistic aesthetic, and innovative yet ethical use of artificial intelligence, while preserving a strong human and artistic dimension.
Beyond being a personal achievement for the director, this award represents a symbolic success for Tunisia, reaffirming its ability to nurture creative talent capable of innovation and global impact in contemporary audiovisual arts.
