Key points:
- Alona Gulenko, from Kharkiv, has won three Webby Awards.
- The winner was the film Plastic Ocean.
- The video was created using artificial intelligence.
- The project focuses on the problem of plastic pollution in the oceans.
- The Webby Awards are regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious digital awards.
Alona Gulenko, a native of Kharkiv also known as Llopis, has won three prestigious Webby Awards for her short film Plastic Ocean, created using artificial intelligence technology. The film was recognised in several categories, including ‘Best Use of Artificial Intelligence’ and excellence in filmmaking.
The film Plastic Ocean was one of the first major projects by Unshot, the studio founded by the Ukrainian in Los Angeles. The project focuses on the environment and plastic pollution in the oceans. The creators designed the visual concept so that the viewer first sees the beauty of the underwater world, only to realise later that these images are made up of rubbish. It is this artistic contrast that became the film’s central theme.
According to Alona Gulenko, the team sought to demonstrate that artificial intelligence can be not only a technical tool but also a means of emotional artistic expression. She noted that Plastic Ocean evokes sadness, discomfort and empathy in viewers, which demonstrates the ability of such works to influence the audience.
During the film’s production, the team utilised modern digital tools, including Google Flow for animation, Midjourney for scene composition and stylisation, and Magnific AI for image detailing. The creators emphasise that the idea remains paramount, whilst technology merely aids in realising the creative vision.
The Webby Awards are considered one of the most prestigious international accolades in the digital sphere. The awards were established in 1996, and their categories include video, film, apps, advertising and cutting-edge technologies. Due to its high status, the award is often referred to as the ‘Internet Oscars’.
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