Goa’s first AI-generated film, ‘Job Needed’ directed by Mario Pimenta, has made a significant impact at the Nagaland International Film Festival, winning multiple awards and earning recognition among films from across the globe. The film stood out as the only entry to receive the Best AI Short Film Award, while Pimenta was also honoured with the Best Visionary Director Award.
Adding to its success, ‘Job Needed’ won Best English Film and Best Short Film, received a Jury Mention for Best Story, and earned a Festival Mention for Screenplay, bringing its total to six awards. Competing alongside international entries, the film’s achievement marks a proud moment for Goa on a global cinematic platform.
Set a century after a devastating AI war, ‘Job Needed’ imagines a future where advanced artificial intelligence systems have taken control of the world. Humanity survives on the margins, protected by one subtle yet meaningful advantage — their ability to make better coffee than machines. This ironic detail becomes a symbolic reminder of human creativity and imperfection in an otherwise mechanised society.
At the centre of the narrative is JohnBot, an experimental AI that unexpectedly reactivates long after the war has ended. Gifted with the ability to shapeshift into human forms, JohnBot moves through a fully automated world in search of purpose, identity, and belonging. Through this journey, the film reflects on themes of consciousness, coexistence, and what it truly means to be human in an age ruled by machines.
At just 21 years old, Mario Pimenta has emerged as one of the youngest and most forward-looking voices in contemporary Goan cinema. A filmmaker and cultural curator, he is known for blending technology with strong narrative vision and social reflection. With Job Needed, Pimenta further establishes himself as a key figure in the evolving Gen Z Goan Film Movement, pushing the boundaries of what regional cinema can be.
