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AI Avatars Take the Stage as Sparknify Launches Humanity Award Film Festival with Bold Challenge to Creativity Itself

Sparknify
May 1
4 min read

Updated: May 5

PALO ALTO, CA — May 1, 2025 — In a press conference unlike any other, Sparknify officially launched its Human vs. AI Tech Fair & Film Festival to take place at Plug and Play Tech Center in Sunnyvale on May 17, 2025 — not with a traditional host, but with two ultra-realistic AI avatars who delivered the entire announcement with uncanny precision and presence. The digital presenters, powered by DeepBrain AI and vidBoard.al, looked and sounded indistinguishably human — a fitting start to a festival that will explore the rapidly blurring lines between machine-made and human-made storytelling.

AI Avatars Take the Stage as Sparknify Launches Humanity Award Film Festival with Bold Challenge to Creativity Itself

Held at the Midpen Media Center in Palo Alto, the press conference featured a distinguished panel of speakers and hosts, including John Huang, Executive Director of Sparknify; Chanel Chan, CEO of Sparknify; Lana Shapoval, filmmaker and speaker on the role of storytelling in the AI era; Vanessa Born, actress and creative collaborator; and John Son, Head of Marketing at DeepBrain AI. Together, they guided members of the media through the vision behind the festival and the cultural stakes of this year’s headline award: the Sparknify Humanity Award, which will be presented on May 17, 2025 to the short film — whether human produced or AI generated — that best captures the essence of humanity. The announcement, delivered entirely by AI avatars, set a provocative tone for what is already being called one of the most daring cultural events of the year.

Sparknify announces the 2025 Human vs. AI Film Festival using AI avatar generated by DeepBrain AI

A New Era in Storytelling

The festival’s central question is as philosophical as it is cinematic:

Can AI express what it means to be human more convincingly than a human filmmaker?

And perhaps more urgently: If it can, what does that mean for the future of creativity?

Sparknify’s Humanity Award does not discriminate between the origin of the film — algorithmic or organic. What matters is which story moves people the most. Submissions poured in from around the globe, both from traditional filmmakers and generative AI systems, resulting in 14 official nominees: The Writer’s Horror by Sergiy Pudich representing Ukraine and Thailand, Pi in the Sky by Petra Molnar from the United Kingdom, and Migratory Movements by Brazilian filmmaker Rogério Cathalá. From Chile, The Monkey With Its Tongue Out is directed by Sebastian Arriagada, while Peru is represented by Manuel Larios with Heal. Spain contributes two powerful entries: #Beachfile by Carles Bigorra and Dark, Light, Yellow by Fran Gas. Moroccan director Mariam Mouzoul offers The Living Room, and Silentium comes from Roméo Lefèvre of France. Italian filmmaker Gianluca Zonta presents The Aquarium, and Taiwan is represented by Johnny Su with Partner. From Japan, Akari Sōma delivers AI Love You, AI Don’t Love You, while Hungary is represented by Endling, directed by Endre Andor Lengyel. Rounding out the lineup is Meet Me in Chinatown by Jerry Hsiao and Anna Sophie Loewenberg from the United States. United by their ambition to stir emotion, provoke thought, and reflect the human condition, these films represent a global dialogue between traditional and generative creators — all competing for one defining question: What does it mean to be human?

Sparknify announces the 14 nominated films using AI avatar generated by vidBoard.ai

During the press event, Sparknify also revealed the lineup of judges: an international panel featuring esteemed academics, acclaimed directors, renowned actors, and leaders in digital effects — all of whom will vote blindly, without knowing whether a film was crafted by human or machine.

Adding depth to the event, the audience connected live with Sebastian Arriagada, director of the Chilean film The Monkey With Its Tongue Out. Arriagada joined via video call to share the conceptual underpinnings and creative process behind his nominated work, offering a poignant reminder of the personal narratives still driving much of human cinema — even as machines catch up.

The Monkey With Its Tongue Out. Arriagada by Sebastian Arriagada — *The Monkey With Its Tongue Out*. Arriagada by **Sebastian Arriagada**

A Hands-On Future: AI Video Workshop

The excitement didn’t stop at the screen. Following the press announcements, attendees participated in a Generative AI Video Workshop led by Sabrina Wu from DeepBrain AI. In just 20 minutes, journalists, influencers, and tech insiders learned how to create their own lifelike AI avatars and produce polished video content — no film crew, camera, or studio needed. The demo highlighted how quickly generative video tools are democratizing media creation and reshaping expectations around production.

And in true festival spirit, attendees were treated to a preview of the immersive experience to come — complete with a Human vs. AI-themed drink and snack combo, a playful and symbolic nod to the fusion of flesh and code that defines the event.

What’s Next: A Showdown at the Festival

The press conference marked just the beginning. On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Sparknify will open the doors to a full-day celebration of human ingenuity and machine intelligence at the Plug & Play Tech Center in Sunnyvale.

Attendees will:

🏆 Witness the announcement of the Sparknify Humanity Award winner — human or AI?
🎬 Watching the films and voting on human or AI created the films
💡 Connect with frontier tech founders and media innovators
🤖 Explore AI-generated art, robotics, and handcrafted wonders
🎭 Enjoy live, tech-infused performances blending code and creativity
🍔 Indulge in unique culinary offerings in an interactive festival atmosphere