Longwan's AI film wins top honor on global stage

Liu Jiakai (middle), director, screenwriter, and editor of Ma: The World We're Born With, takes the stage alongside the film's art director, Liu Lan (left), to accept the award. [Photo/Tide News]

Chinese director Liu Jiakai has won the top honor at the OMNI AI International Film Competition Shanghai 2026 with his AI-generated film Ma: The World We're Born With.

The work stood out among more than 500 global entries to receive the competition's highest award, the Sinosphere Best Picture Award.

The film creatively connects the Chinese character "妈" (mother) with the imagery of "马" (horse), weaving a poetic narrative about life, endurance, and guardianship.

Supported by AI technology, it uses restrained yet evocative visuals to explore themes of maternal love, cultural memory, and emotional inheritance.

According to feedback from an international viewer, the film's portrayal of familial relationships transcends cultural boundaries. Scenes depicting emotional conflict between a child and mother, he noted, are equally relatable in Western contexts, underscoring the film's cross-cultural impact.

Founded in 2024, the OMNI competition is one of the early global platforms dedicated to AI filmmaking. Following its win, Ma: The World We're Born With will join international screenings, marking a milestone for Chinese AI cinema.

Jointly produced by the publicity department of Longwan district, Wenzhou, as well as the city's cultural and media organizations, the film reflects Wenzhou's broader push to integrate culture with digital technology.