‘Snow Colored Ashes’ set for World Premiere at the 2026 Chicago AI Film Festival on April 18th!
- Lyone Media Group
- Apr 13
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
After months of focused development, our short film Snow Colored Ashes will have its world premiere at the 2026 Chicago AI Film Festival on April 18th at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. This screening marks a pivotal moment for Lyone Media Group, serving as our first festival selection and the first directorial recognition for R.L. Lyone. Snow Colored Ashes was selected as a finalist in a curated lineup of 12 works that challenge traditional boundaries of cinematography through the integration of artificial intelligence.
Table of Contents:
A Narrative Rooted in History and Resilience
Snow Colored Ashes is a music-centered drama that explores the profound impact of war on the family unit. Within the fictional history of the Lyone Tropic, the events that occur in the film take place during the Second Tropic War that ravaged Tavurasa from 1907 to 1910 and claimed over 62 million lives. Set in the ruins of Gomba village following a catastrophic attack, the film follows a father who awakens to a desperate audio message from his wife. The story tracks his search for their daughter, Anira, while the mother’s prayer is carried through the film’s soundscape.
Writer and director R.L. Lyone states that the film draws heavy inspiration from the lived experiences of her family, reflecting on the trauma passed down through generations of those who lived through the war in Uganda. Her vision was to show how war impacts civilians and alters the lives of those who survive. R.L. utilized AI tools to translate these complex themes of grief and faith into a visual medium.
"This film tells the story of a father desperately trying to find his daughter, a mother desperately clinging to her faith despite all that has happened, and the harsh reality that war does not just destroy physically, but it destroys a person from the inside out." - R.L. Lyone
Technical Production and Development
The production of Snow Colored Ashes served as a practical application of the Framework for AI Responsibility (FAIRCodex). Over a five-month development period, the film was completed with a production budget of $650, demonstrating how emerging artificial intelligence tools can lower the barriers to creating motion pictures. Throughout the process, R.L. maintained the ethical standards of the FAIRCodex while exploring the limits of image-to-video generation and AI sound design.
The visual landscape of the film was crafted using generative AI models like Seedream, Google Nano Banana Pro, and Seedance, while the music and sound effects were generated using models from ElevenLabs and Udio. Rather than viewing AI tools as a complete replacement for human talent, Lyone Media Group's production process emphasizes a hybrid model where technology enables small, independent teams to execute ambitious worldbuilding and complex sound design with limited resources.
How to Attend the World Premiere of Snow Colored Ashes in Chicago
The Chicago AI Film Festival serves as a gathering point for creators who are curious about the intersection of traditional storytelling and new technical frontiers. Held at the University of Chicago's breathtaking Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, this festival features a curated lineup of AI films along with workshops and insights from voices in the field, such as guest Afro Futcha, who will be sharing insights on Vibecoding and the future of the medium. The festival takes place on April 18, 2026, at 11:00 am EST, and tickets are available at chicagoaifilmfest.com.
50 festival attendees will also receive our official limited print "Snow Colored Ashes World Premiere" commemorative ticket stamped with an authentic serial number and signed by R.L. Lyone!
