Takudzwa Kahwiti Duncan Leads International Team to Victory at WeSee AI Short Video Contest in China

Zimbabwean filmmaker and creative director Takudzwa Kahwiti Duncan has earned international recognition after leading a multinational student team to victory at the WeSee AI Short Video Contest held in China. The competition took place at the East China University of Technology in Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, where students from different countries competed in AI-driven storytelling. Kahwiti’s team secured the Best Video Award in the international category, placing first among strong global entries. The achievement highlights the growing influence of African creatives in artificial intelligence filmmaking and digital media innovation. It also shows how young filmmakers are using emerging technology to shape new forms of storytelling across cultures.

The winning production, titled “The Mid-Autumn Festival: Reunion, Light and Love,” focused on one of China’s most important cultural celebrations. The short film used AI-generated visuals combined with human storytelling to present themes of unity, family and tradition. Kahwiti served as the team leader and took on multiple creative roles including writer, editor, voice-over artist and overall creative director. The project featured English narration with Chinese subtitles, making it accessible to both local Chinese audiences and international viewers. Judges praised the film for its strong storytelling structure, technical execution and creative interpretation of the competition theme, “Using AI To Tell Chinese Stories Well.”

Kahwiti worked alongside an international team of students studying in China, bringing together diverse creative perspectives. The team included Pathiraja Navinu from Sri Lanka, Eziefula Michael Uchenna from Nigeria and Estone Silwamba from Zambia. Each member contributed unique skills that strengthened the final production and reflected a collaborative global approach to filmmaking. The group’s ability to merge cultural perspectives with advanced AI tools played a key role in their success. Their victory demonstrates how international student collaborations can produce high-quality digital content when guided by strong leadership and a shared creative vision.

The WeSee AI Video Contest continues to grow as a major platform for student filmmakers exploring artificial intelligence in storytelling. This year’s edition attracted more than 1,000 participants from universities across China and beyond, with fewer than 50 teams reaching the final stage. The judging panel included AI film experts, professional filmmakers and university professors who evaluated entries based on creativity, technical quality and narrative strength. The competition has become an important space for testing how AI can enhance visual storytelling while maintaining cultural depth and artistic value. Kahwiti’s win places him among a rising group of young innovators shaping the future of digital filmmaking.

For Kahwiti, this achievement adds to an expanding list of international milestones. In 2025, he received the Young Achiever’s Award at the Pride of Africa Asia-Pacific Awards held in Beijing, China. He has also gained recognition in countries including Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America for his work in film and digital media innovation. Despite his growing global profile, he has stated that he is still relatively unknown in his home country of Zimbabwe. His focus remains on building a strong international reputation through consistent creative output and technological experimentation in storytelling.

The success of Takudzwa Kahwiti Duncan and his team highlights a larger shift in global creative industries where African filmmakers are increasingly participating in AI-driven storytelling. It shows how digital tools are opening new pathways for young creatives to compete on international stages. His work demonstrates how leadership, technical skill and cultural awareness can come together to produce award-winning content. The achievement also reinforces the role of universities as incubators for innovation in film and technology. As AI continues to reshape the creative landscape, Kahwiti’s victory stands as an example of how young filmmakers from Africa are actively shaping the future of global storytelling.