Filipino-Made AI Short Film Shortlisted at World’s Biggest AI Film Festival in Dubai
24 December, 2025
A Filipino-made AI short film, Portrait No. 72, has been shortlisted at the world’s biggest AI Film Festival in Dubai, marking a major milestone for Filipino creatives on the global stage.
A Filipino-made short film has earned international recognition after being shortlisted at the world’s biggest AI Film Festival, held as part of the One Billion Summit in Dubai.
Portrait No. 72 is the only Filipino entry among the shortlisted films, marking a significant milestone for Filipino representation on the global creative stage. The One Billion Summit is the world’s largest gathering of content creators, bringing together top global personalities—including Mr. Beast—alongside prominent creators from the Philippines.
As part of the summit, the AI Film Festival showcases works that explore storytelling through emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, pushing the boundaries of modern filmmaking.
Portrait No. 72 tells the poignant story of an aging photographer in Varanasi, India, who captures the final portraits of the dead. The film was created by Filipino filmmakers Darryll Rapacon and Rodson Suarez, marking their first AI film collaboration. The project began with a simple yet profound question: Can an AI film make people cry?
Rather than focusing on technological spectacle, the filmmakers centered the story on emotion and human connection. AI was used purely as a tool to support the narrative—not to overshadow it. While many AI-driven films lean toward hyper-cinematic visuals, Portrait No. 72 deliberately chose restraint, prioritizing silence, dialogue, and emotional depth.
Every creative decision served the story first, reinforcing the filmmakers’ intention to tell a grounded, human narrative using artificial intelligence as a medium rather than a gimmick.
Public voting will determine the festival’s Top 5 finalists, and voting is currently open.
How to Vote:
Visit the official voting site: https://aifilm.1billionsummit.com
Watch Portrait No. 72
Submit your vote
Voting is open until December 25, 2025.
As the only Filipino film shortlisted, Portrait No. 72 stands as a powerful reminder that Filipino creativity is global. More than an AI film, it reflects how Filipino storytellers are not only adapting to emerging technologies, but actively shaping how artificial intelligence can be used to tell meaningful, emotionally resonant stories.
— TPNC Global News