Watch the winning trailer from the Future Vision XPRIZE, The Gifted.

What happened

Launched earlier this year in partnership with XPRIZE and Range Media Partners, the global Future Vision XPRIZE competition invited submissions of hopeful future-themed films centered on technology as an empowering force. At an awards ceremony in Los Angeles last week, independent creator Jeff Synthesized took home the top prize for his solo-produced film The Gifted, selected from more than 2,500 global entries. The award includes a $100,000 cash prize and $2.5 million in feature-length production funding.

Key facts

Competition name

Future Vision XPRIZE

Winning entry

The Gifted (solo-produced)

Submission scale

Over 2,500 entries from across the world

Award benefits

$100,000 cash prize + $2.5 million in feature film production funding

Theatrical release supporters

Google 100 ZEROS initiative, Range Media Partners

Background

Officially launched earlier this year, the competition is focused on uncovering the positive humanistic value behind technology, pushing back against one-note narratives in tech-focused creative work, and providing independent tech-themed creators with opportunities to showcase their work and bring projects to public audiences.

Why it matters

This win challenges the narrow perception that tech storytelling is only tied to tool efficiency. For the film industry, it opens a clear theatrical release pathway for independent creators making tech-focused work. For the tech sector, it helps the public recognize technology's positive role in fostering emotional connection, offering useful reference points for human-centered tech product design.

In their words

“Technology's greatest potential lies in its ability to convey empathy and connect people.”

Jeff Synthesized, lead creator of The Gifted and independent filmmaker

What to watch

Partners will move forward with feature-length production for The Gifted in subsequent phases, leveraging Google's 100 ZEROS initiative to bring the work to theatrical screens for audiences worldwide.