The BAIFF Burano Artificial Intelligence Film Festival successfully concluded its first edition with two award ceremonies held on 15 and 16 November at VENISSA in Mazzorbo and at the auditorium of the Fondazione Querini Stampalia. The event, conceived and organized by Giovanni Balletta, an expert in the field of artificial intelligence, and Hanna Rudak, director and artistic director of BAIFF, attracted the attention of students and the public alike, as well as the admiration of the Chinese delegation of the Wild Planet Film Festival, which was in town to celebrate its permanent partnership with BAIFF.

Italian director Carlo Christian Spano and Chinese producers Jackson Zhao and Nida Zang achieved considerable success with the Italian-Chinese documentary 'AI LA (PASS)', which won two prestigious awards: the Documentary Award and the A.I. Ethical Award. The awards were presented by Dr Gian Nello Piccoli, President of the IT sector of Confindustria Veneto Est, and Dr Giovanni Selvatico.

The film 'The Human Future: A Case for optimism' by the American director John D. Boswell won the 'School Audience Award', presented by the students of the ITT 'Enrico Fermi' PTP Venice-IIS Vendramin Corner. Prof. Marina Biral received the award on behalf of the director, while the festival organizers thanked Prof. Nicoletta Frosini and Prof. Margherita Rossi for their organization and coordination.

The students had the opportunity to interact with Chinese engineer She Chang, a world expert in AI, which led to an interesting debate.

Director Udesh CHETTY received the Visionary Award for the short film 'Red Gaia' in the presence of Mario and Renzo BON of LA PERLA GALLERY in Burano.

Finally, the Italian directors Giustino Di Gregorio and Manuela Cappucci were awarded by Dr Paolo Molesini, President of the Fondazione Querini Stampalia, for the Italian short film "VERA".

The first edition of BAIFF ended with the farewell of the outgoing president, Dr. Stefano Da Rin, who, despite his professional commitments, decided to support the festival with a temporary presidency.

"The first edition of BAIFF was a great success," said founders Giovanni Balletta and Hanna Rudak. "We have created an event for reflection and dialogue on the impact of artificial intelligence on cinema and society. The selected films show that AI can be used to create innovative and thought-provoking works of art, exploring crucial issues such as ethics, the future of humanity, and the relationship between man and machine."

Hanna Rudak, co-founder of the festival, added: "BAIFF is a forward-looking festival. We want to promote the responsible use of artificial intelligence in film and society, as we believe it can be a positive force for the world, but it is crucial that it is used ethically and responsibly."

The selected films can be viewed at baiff.eu, while BAIFF prepares for its second edition, scheduled for 9-14 October 2024.