Artificial intelligence evokes both unease and fascination among creators, although fear often dissipates with deeper understanding. Luis Ángel Mendaña, a filmmaker from León based in Ponferrada, is a clear example of how AI can become a creative ally. Thanks to these tools, he has revitalized his cinematic vocation, which now occupies the center of his professional life. On Saturday, March 28, Mendaña was awarded the best children's short film prize at the first edition of the Kursaal AI Film Festival in San Sebastián for his work Hanguk Sukje (My Homework on Korea). This short, primarily created with artificial intelligence, features Pixar-style animation that invites audiences to discover Korean culture through the eyes of Darío, a boy exploring this Asian country as part of a school assignment. The production required about 120 hours of work, during which Mendaña generated around 700 images and transformed them into about 400 videos, in addition to composing the music. However, the script, voiceover, and final editing remain manual processes, where the filmmaker emphasizes the value of human creativity and sensitivity. “The key is knowing when to use AI and when not to. I like to add that personal touch that the machine cannot replicate,” he states. The Kursaal AI Film Festival debuted strongly, receiving over 300 short films from around the world, of which 77 were selected and 14 were awarded in various categories. The international jury also recognized other notable creators such as Iñigo Echávarri Díez, Toby Hyder, and Stephane Benini. Hanguk Sukje, for its part, continues its international journey and is being screened at events like WonderCon in Los Angeles, as part of the Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival, in addition to competing in festivals in Morocco, Slovenia, France, Switzerland, Australia, Germany, Italy, China, Argentina, and Korea. For Mendaña, this recognition represents the realization of a dream: “I am thrilled that my shorts reach so many countries and audiences. AI has allowed me to materialize my ideas and steer my career towards film,” he affirms. Mendaña began his journey in 2024, coinciding with the popularization of generative AI. His first short, El Bosque de Ayer, earned him two awards at festivals in Madrid and Brunete. Later, with 4 hours and 24 minutes, a reflection on mobile addiction, he was a finalist in Burgos. In 2025, in addition to Hanguk Sukje, he premiered Mini Vigo, winner of the Vigo in 90 seconds contest, and Persona, set in a futuristic Madrid, which received an honorable mention and was selected for the Alcobendas festival. His most recent work, La reina Urraca I de León (2026), has already surpassed 15,200 views on YouTube and highlights the figure of the first European queen to rule by her own right in the 12th century. Additionally, Mendaña collaborates with international production companies and directs a postgraduate program in Generative AI at the IEBS business school. Source: diariodeleon.es