Kerala filmmaker’s AI short film headed to AI Film Awards, Cannes

Sachu Mathew Kuruvila from Kottayam is on cloud nine. The Light, his six-minute debut short, recently found a place at AI Film Awards, an international event that ‘celebrates the transformative fusion of artificial intelligence with cinematic and advertising innovation.’ Sachu’s short film is head to the edition at the Cannes; the first edition in Cannes was held in 2024.

Since AI films are in their nascence, Sachu is especially excited about the recognition. What makes the achievement special is that making films was a dream he carried with him since he was in school. More than that, what adds sheen is the fact that he is self-taught and that this is an entirely new way of filmmaking.

An AI film seems a rather unconventional choice for a first film. But, he says, it was serendipity that led him to it. “I was to make a signature film for the Kottayam International Film Festival earlier this year. These are either shot or are animated…we could do neither because of budget constraints. That is when I hit upon the idea of using AI,” says the 29-year-old, who works with the credit division of State Bank of India. 

The appreciation and acknowledgement that followed showed the way ahead. 

Making an AI film may sound easy but it is not, Sachu clarifies. He wrote and directed the film while collaborating with an illustrator to create the AI-generated visuals. “It is a lot of work because you are creating a film, visuals out of prompts. I had a very clear picture of what I wanted, how the character should look. And all that does not come with that first prompt. You keep fine-tuning it, keep working on it until you find what you are looking for.” 

The film’s poster 
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The Light, he says, is an AI-animated short film that explores loneliness and emotional connection. It tells the story of an elderly man who lives in isolation and unexpectedly forms a bond with a pigeon. Through this simple yet powerful relationship, the film reflects on human vulnerability, silent companionship, and how even the smallest presence can bring meaning and warmth into someone’s life. The film has no dialogue. It has also been selected for the Burano Artificial Intelligence Film Festival.

AI is not cheap, and he knew that it would be an expensive project leading him to take the crowdfunding route. “I raised ₹1 lakh from friends and family. It was something like John Abraham’s Amma Ariyan, which was also made with people pooling in the money.” 

Of what inspires him, “My inspiration mainly comes from real-life emotions and human experiences, especially the quiet struggles people go through but rarely express. I’m also inspired by filmmakers who focus on minimal storytelling and deep emotional impact rather than spectacle. There isn’t just one guide—it’s a mix of observing life, cinema, and continuously learning through experimentation with new tools like AI.” 

Buoyed by the success of first film, he wants to continue exploring AI as a medium. “AI gives independent creators like me the freedom to visualise ideas that would otherwise require huge resources. At the same time, I don’t want to limit myself to AI. I am open to blending traditional filmmaking with AI tools to create more meaningful and visually unique stories. The goal is always to tell impactful stories, regardless of the medium.”

The third edition of AI Film Awards will be held at Cannes on May 21