The winners have been announced for New York Festivals Advertising Awards’ inaugural NYFAi competition produced with Lightricks LTX Studio, the global competition that highlights true creative collaboration between AI and humans. Seven innovative agencies competed, and three agency teams advanced to the winner’s circle creating campaigns that showed the power of AI  technology working with human creativity.

The top winner was Los Angeles agency, CYLNDR Studios for Closer Than You Think, for The Duke Lemur Center.

“NYFAi is more than a competition, it’s a window into the evolving landscape of creativity. By fusing the instinct and imagination of world-class creatives with the powerful capabilities of LTX Studio, we’re demonstrating that AI can be a true storytelling partner-from the first spark of an idea to the final frame,” stated Shani Mandel-Laufer, VP, strategy and business development at Lightricks. “This year’s participants didn’t just rise to the challenge, they redefined the boundaries of what’s possible. We’re proud to build the tools that help bring these bold, breakthrough ideas to life.” 

Each team received a creative brief from a nonprofit organisation or startup and, in just a few weeks, using LTX Studio’s unique AI technology and powerful control features, transformed it into a compelling 30-60 second spot ready for real-world release.

All campaigns submitted to NYFAi were evaluated by the 2025 NYFA Executive Jury. Gold, Silver, and Bronze trophies were awarded to the highest-scoring entries, setting a new benchmark for AI-driven storytelling. 

The inaugural NYFAi winners are: 

GOLD: Closer Than You Think. Client: The Duke Lemur Center
Agency: CYLNDR Studios 

SILVER: Expansive Pad. Client: Helping Women Period 
Agency: Clutch 

BRONZE: Find Your Feet. Client:  New York Scores 
Agency: Code and Theory 

View the 2025 NYFAi Award winners:

“We’re thrilled to see how these talented teams, inspired by the creative brief and empowered by the AI platform, rose to the challenge and delivered standout work at the forefront of AI-powered creativity,” stated Scott Rose, President, New York Festivals. Congratulations to this year’s winners and thanks to LTX Studio and all who participated in making the inaugural NYFAi such a success.”

“It’s an honor to take home Gold for the inaugural NYFAi competition and be recognized amongst other esteemed industry leaders,” added Sylvain Tron, managing director, CYLNDR Studios. “This win not only speaks volumes to the forward-thinking team we’ve assembled at CYLNDR Studios but also the ways in which technology and AI are pushing the industry forward for good, like we were able to do with our Gold-winning work for The Duke Lemur Center.” 

In addition to their trophy, CYLNDR, the Gold-winning team, will also receive 50 enterprise-level LTX Studio seats for one year.  

Find more information on the 2025 New York Festivals Advertising Awards and explore the winners’ showcase here.  

Learn more about Lightricks and LTX Studio.