Festival Season:
October 2026
STAY WITH ME
Directors:
Writers:
Anton V Sitnikov
Anton V Sitnikov
Producers:
Anton V Sitnikov
Run Time:
0:34:31
Awarded for the following Category(s):
Awarded Category(s)
The cross-epochal war drama about people leaving for war, while their loved ones have to wait, hope and grieve, often without a clear answer to the question "why?". The movie showcases three epochs - Late Medieval, Present times and Future 100 years plus. As eras change each other the fundamental questions still linger and the war never changes. Each part pursues a balance between conflict in family, war conflict and some supporting scenes. Being largely about morale and care of beloved ones the movie is also highly cinematic with vivid battle scenes, special effects and place for hope.
Various approaches were applied and tried to achieve strong opposing points of view, arguments and attempts to understand each other. While male nature is depicted like more brutal and desperate, female characters vary from part to part. 100% AI video. Used Kling AI, Chat GPT, Suno, Topaz Video, iMovie.
Submitter Statement
With this film, I explore the cyclical and devastating nature of conflict through the profound grief of women left behind. This story focuses on to the aged wives whose remaining years are suddenly reduced to emptiness. The narrative targets reality— when older men, driven by pride, guilt, desperation or other reasons, choose to volunteer for remote, imperial, unnecessary conflicts.
Spanning the past, present, and future, the film shows that while eras change and technology evolves, this specific human tragedy remains the same. While initially wanting to make a hopeless dark ending I have added an epilogue that leaves hope and suggests that there is still a reason to go on. To keep the intensity and attention powerful visual effects, epic views, unusual approaches utilized. AI-generated imagery allowed me to seamlessly blend distinct historical aesthetics with a future.
The creation process was far from automated; it required hundreds of hours of precise prompts, stitching together, color grading, fighting AI stubbornness. Visuals and audio 100% AI, while plot, screenwriting, prompts, dialogues and poetry is all human made. I have personal reasons to discover specifically this topic which I keep to myself. Thank you!
Born in Moscow, 1986. Msc in Finance and MBA Kingston University London. Two kids, married. Hobbies poetry and muhai thai. Travel a lot for business and leisure. Never worked in TV, media, IT or any other creative industries. Made my first film in September 2026 and won Bangkok Film Festival award.
Key Cast
Other Credits