The AI Revolution in Cinema: “Gerçek Ötesi” Competes in Fantasporto’s Main Competition!

We are witnessing a historic moment in cinema where artificial intelligence is no longer merely a supporting tool but has become a full-fledged narrator. Alkan Avcıoğlu’s Gerçek Ötesi (Post Truth) is preparing to compete for the Grand Prize at one of the world’s most prestigious platforms for fantastic cinema: the Fantasporto International Film Festival.

Carrying the title of the first documentary film ever produced entirely with artificial intelligence tools, this work will share the stage with giants at a festival known as a “discovery point” in cinema history.

Fantasporto: The Place Where Masters Are Discovered

Held in Porto, Portugal, Fantasporto is not just a festival; it is a “school of masters” where many of today’s defining cinematic geniuses took their first steps. The inclusion of Gerçek Ötesi in this year’s main competition lineup stands as the strongest proof yet that AI cinema is now being recognized as an artistically legitimate form at major mainstream festivals.

A “Fake” Narrative About the Real World

True to its title, Gerçek Ötesi offers the audience a paradoxical experience: telling the story of the real world entirely through artificial images. The film conducts a technological inquiry stretching from the Industrial Revolution to the depths of Silicon Valley.

The fact that every single frame was generated by AI formally reinforces the film’s central theme: “the loss of perception of reality.” While the viewer knows every pixel on screen is artificial, they are simultaneously confronted with the shattering truth of the story being told.

Production Figures at a Glance

Behind the film lies a massive data-processing operation led by Alkan Avcıoğlu and multidisciplinary artist Vikki Bardot (Gizem Avcıoğlu):

• Preparation Period: Approximately 2 years of intensive work.
• Image Pool: Nearly 60 hours of raw AI-generated footage.
• Music Production: Over 1,000 original AI-composed pieces.
• Soundtrack: Released in December 2025 on vinyl, CD, and digital platforms via Tamar Records.

What the Critics Said

Throughout 2025, the film received significant attention both domestically and internationally. Some of the standout comments include:

• Uğur Vardan: “Not just a first for Turkish cinema, but for world cinema as well.”
• Selin Gürel: “A work of such quality that it will deserve its own chapter in future cinema books.”
• Mehmet Açar: “An unprecedented experience; the most accomplished example of AI cinema to date.”

What’s Next?

The 46th Fantasporto Festival, taking place from 27 February to 8 March 2026 in Portugal, could add yet another international success to Gerçek Ötesi. Having already returned from Italy’s FrontDoc with the Audience Award, the film will now compete for the Grand Prize in Porto.

This work — bound to change your thoughts on the place of artificial intelligence in art — is well worth following closely on its festival journey.