In an extraordinary convergence of art and technology, a short film depicting Christmas in Ukraine during wartime has clinched the third-place spot in the 2023 AI Holiday Film Competition. Crafted by Kyiv native Mykhailo Penyevskyi using artificial intelligence, “Christmas Ghost” captivated the competition’s jury with its originality and high technical quality, as reported on the competition’s website.
“I have a passion for cinema and dream of making movies. However, during the full-scale invasion, priorities changed significantly for me, as they did for all Ukrainians. The past year has inspired me with the possibilities of artificial intelligence technology. Nowadays, nearly anyone can create their visual story without leaving home and on a limited budget. On my YouTube channel, Yellow Medusa, I create entertaining videos with interpretations of well-known films, and in a year, I’ve become quite proficient in AI technologies for content creation. So when I heard about the AI film competition, I decided to test my skills and fulfill a dream I had been postponing for almost two years — to create a film, even if it’s AI-generated,” shared Mykhailo.
Penyevskyi utilized various tools based on neural networks to bring his film to life, from generating 2D images to animation and voiceover. This creative approach even involved real photographs taken by the director on his phone, transformed on-screen through artificial intelligence programs.
The AI Holiday Film Competition, held for the first time, drew attention with its innovative approach to cinematography. Creators from around the world submitted their works for the $7,500 total prize fund, with the best entries evaluated based on the integrity of the story, proficiency in working with neural networks, and sound design.
Mykhailo Penyevskyi’s film was honored with a $1,000 prize, and the budget for his film “Christmas Ghost” was modest, totaling $100.
This recognition signifies not only the success of the filmmaker but also a significant step forward for cinematography, where artificial intelligence technologies become an integral part of the creative process, opening new possibilities for talented creators.
In the photos — stills from the film “Christmas Ghost,” created using AI.
