Magical Realist Tale ‘6TM’ and ‘Searching for SmarterChild,’ About One of the Earliest Chatbots, Win Top Industry Awards at Ji.hlava Festival

“6TM” won Ji.hlava’s New Visions Award for the most promising European project, recognising its blend of magical realism, humour and social themes. Set during a hot summer in Brussels’ Cité Modèle housing estate, the film follows three stories about one family and their neighbours, exploring community resilience and whose experiences are represented on screen.

“Searching for SmarterChild”, a US-Canadian film directed by Lindsey Sitz and Zan Gillies, won the award for the most promising US project. It revisits the 2003 chatbot that became a confidant and target of abuse for young internet users, using those exchanges to examine human behaviour and today’s relationship with AI. The European award includes post-production support valued at about €20,000, while the US project receives $7,000; the festival also honoured Danish producer Signe Byrge Sørensen for her contribution to international cinema.