54th Annual ICVM Crown Awards Nominates 'Snow Colored Ashes' for Best Use of AI on Screen
Snow Colored Ashes has been nominated alongside five finalists for "Best Use of AI on Screen" at the 54th Annual ICVM Crown Awards. It is an honor to have this short film recognized by the International Christian Visual Media Association, one of the longest-running and most established organizations in the Christian film and media industry, with roots dating all the way back to the 1970s.
It is a privilege to have Snow Colored Ashes considered alongside so many dedicated creators who are striving to honor God through storytelling. Keep reading to find out how you can get tickets to the ICVM Storytellers Conference on October 3, 2026, where the winners will be announced during the Crown Awards Banquet in Orlando, Florida.
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War, Grief, and Faith in 'Snow Colored Ashes'
Based on the original screenplay written by R.L. Lyone, Snow Colored Ashes is a six-minute, music-driven short film that shows the effects war has on families. Inspired by Lyone's family history of relatives who lived through the war in Uganda, the narrative follows a father named Gaholek navigating the fictional winter village of Gomba in search of his daughter Anira.
Rather than focusing on the role of politics or the military in a war, Snow Colored Ashes focuses on ordinary civilians caught in the aftermath of tragedy. It is a reflective, music-driven story about sorrow, human fragility, and how faith and hope are challenged when everything else has seemingly turned to ash. The bible verse that shows during the closing scene reflects the underlying message of the film:
"Remember your Creator before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the spring is shattered, and the wheel at the cistern is crushed, then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it." — Ecclesiastes 12:6-7
The Significance of 'Snow Colored Ashes' ICVM Award Nomination
Producing Snow Colored Ashes was an exercise in resourcefulness and creative exploration. Completed with a production budget under $700, we used generative AI tools to turn the screenplay into a film while remaining committed to the ethical standards of the Framework for AI Responsibility (FAIRCodex).
To see this project acknowledged in the "Best Use of AI on Screen" category highlights a growing willingness within the faith-based media industry to engage with new technology as another canvas to explore timeless spiritual themes.
Looking Ahead to the ICVM Storytellers Conference in October
Winners of the special category awards, including "Best Use of AI on Screen", will be presented on October 3, 2026, at the ICVM Storytellers Conference's Crown Awards Banquet. The other 19+ ICVM Crown Awards categories, including "Best Picture", will be presented next February 2027 during the Crown Awards Ceremony at the NRB Media Convention in Washington, D.C.
Thank you to the International Christian Visual Media Association and jury for this recognition. We look forward to celebrating the incredible work being done across faith-based cinema this year!
Full List of ICVM Crown Awards Finalists in the 10 Special Categories
We send our heartfelt congratulations to all of the 54th Annual ICVM Crown Awards finalists! You can download the full conference booklet with the list of finalists here.
Best Christian Talk Show
• Bunni Pounds – The Vision TV Show
• Echo • How to Restore Your Body Image: POP Talk Interview with Rachael Joy Gilbert
• Understanding the Prophetic Harp
• Walk in Faith – Elijah Peel
Best Soundtrack
• Beyond Belief
• David
• Elijah Peel
• The Best Thing About Christmas
• The King of Kings
*Best Use of AI on Screen*
• A New Beginning Full Documentary
• By Dawn’s Early Light
• Pilgrim’s Progress 2 Christiana
• Snow Colored Ashes
• The High Ground
Best Editing
• Elijah Peel
• Investigating the Supernatural – Angels & Demons
• Oracles of God: The Story of the New Testament
• The Flock
• The Lord’s Prayer
Best Short Film
• Bridge to Redemption
• Fret Not
• Here I Am
• Papa Panov’s Special Christmas
• Pilgrims: The Journey
Best Production Design
• Beyond Belief
• Daniel & the Fiery Furnace
• Elijah Peel • Oracles of God: The Story of the New Testament
• The Best Thing About Christmas
Best Cinematography
• Elijah Peel
• I Was a Stranger
• Sketch
• The Best Thing About Christmas
• The Lord’s Prayer
Best Music Video
• Alaska Rescue Story
• Love Comes Home to Holly: “Where the Heart Comes Home”
• OTOGE (Enough is Enough)
• The Other Side
• Zion – A Prophetic Song for Israel’s Return
Best Video Podcast
• Called as Creatives Podcast
• Finish Strong
• Grace Grace with Nina & Michelle – Episode 251
• Made to Share
• Shaped by Faith – Pilates Stretch Band Workout
Best Student Production
• Beyond the Bible
• Delirium
• Kids Who Dance
• Project Halia
• Rare, But Everywhere
• So, Tender a Flame
• Yours Forever
