Youngest Director of a Short Film
Record Holder
Metric
Date Achieved
Location
Atlas Record ID
Alexey Chugaev
Age 13 years, 2 months
31 May 2025
Kyiv [Ukraine]
20425012
Thirteen-year-old Ukrainian filmmaker Alexey Chugaev has set multiple world records with his short film Agent 7–13: The Start, including Youngest Director of a Short Film and Youngest Director in the 2.76:1 format. The film, produced with remarkable discipline and viewed over one million times online, signals the emergence of a promising new voice in global cinema.
Transparent Adjudicator's Statement
Summary of Claim
The claim asserted that Alexey Chugaev completed and released a short film titled Agent 7–13: The Start at the age of 13 years and 2 months, thereby establishing new world benchmarks for youngest director of a short film, youngest director of a crime short film, and youngest director of a film presented in the 2.76:1 aspect ratio.
Evidence Submitted
Evidence reviewed included the full 1080p film file with production credits, a recorded director interview, embedded camera metadata, and witness statements confirming authorship and leadership. Supporting documentation verified release date and age at completion. Blockchain verification hash and associated proof files were recorded in accordance with Atlas Verification Protocol AVP-72.
Comparative and Cross-Archive Benchmark Review
The Atlas adjudicator team conducted a cross-archive review of verified world-record and film-achievement registries. Guinness World Records previously recognized Sydney Ling of the Netherlands at age 20 for a feature-length film. The India Book of Records certified Aldo A. Clement at age 17 years, 11 months, and 26 days as the youngest to direct a short film. No certifying body documented a completed short film directed by an individual younger than 13 years and 2 months. Accordingly, Alexey Chugaev established a new benchmark across all three defined categories.
Verification Methodology
The Atlas adjudicator team conducted timestamp analysis of production and release files, verified the 2.76:1 aspect ratio through frame-by-frame technical inspection, confirmed authorship through production credits and witness testimony, and cross-referenced external registries for comparable youth directorial achievements. Age verification was completed through official documentation confirming that Alexey was 13 years and 2 months old at completion.
Adjudication Findings
The submitted short film was reviewed in full by the Atlas adjudicator team. Digital metadata was consistent with the claimed filming and editing window. Witness statements and film credits confirmed that Alexey directed the project in its entirety and exercised creative and logistical leadership throughout production. Frame analysis verified the authentic 2.76:1 aspect ratio with no evidence of artificial scaling or compositing. The film’s runtime satisfied the Atlas definition of a short film, defined as under 40 minutes, consistent with industry classification standards. Comparative review of recognized certifying bodies identified no younger director credited with completing a short film.
Conclusion
Atlas World Records hereby certifies that Alexey Chugaev of Ukraine holds the records for Youngest Director of a Short Film, Youngest Director of a Crime Short Film, and Youngest Director of a Film in the 2.76:1 Format, having completed Agent 7–13: The Start at the age of 13 years and 2 months on 31 May 2025.
