The 2nd Annual International AI Film Festival (AIFF) took place in Downtown Los Angeles on May 1st, and it was a significant moment for the integration of generative AI in Hollywood. The festival, produced by Runway, a New York City-based generative AI video startup, received support from well-established film festivals like Tribeca and GIFF. The premiere at the Orpheum Theater was attended by over 400 industry professionals, including producers, animators, actors, and directors, who gathered to witness the creative possibilities of AI models in filmmaking.
The increase in submissions this year, from 300 to 3,000, reflects the growing interest and recognition of AI’s role in cinema. According to Cristóbal Valenzuela, Runway’s CEO and co-founder, it is a sign of the times. Before screening the ten finalists’ films, Valenzuela addressed the crowd and acknowledged the importance of AI in shaping the future of filmmaking.
While attending a premier a few months ago for a movie called “Our T2 Remake,” which was entirely created using generative AI, it was evident that the technology still had flaws. However, this year’s films showcased at the AIFF demonstrated how far AI has progressed. The participants were asked to list the AI tools they used in their submissions, and it was interesting to note that none of them included Open AI’s highly regarded new text-to-video Sora mode.
The showcased films varied in theme and style, with some incorporating AI visuals more prominently than others. However, the best entries were those that integrated AI assets seamlessly into compelling narrative-driven foundations. The Grand Prix-winning short film, “Get Me Out / 囚われて,” utilized emotional live-action shots combined with smart AI visual effects. The filmmakers employed three tools to create the film: Luma AI for recreating and capturing 3D environments, Runway’s video-to-video tool as an overlay, and ComfyUI to enhance the appearance of one of the actors. The result was a visually stunning and thought-provoking piece that embraced AI’s shortcomings and explored repetition and hallucinations.
The panel discussions at AIFF revealed various perspectives on the future of AI in cinema. Director and AIFF judge Paul Trillo expressed his belief that once prominent filmmakers adopt new technologies like AI, it becomes more widely accepted in the industry. He also mentioned a significant AI film presence at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, led by Caleb Ward, who runs the popular AI Filmmaking course, Curious Refuge.
Runway’s CTO and co-founder, Anastasis Germanidis, shared his plans to continue developing tools that give users more control over the artistic direction. According to Alejandro Matamala, Runway’s CDO and co-founder, these tools will enable creators to expand their abilities, blurring the lines between different artistic disciplines.
Cristóbal Valenzuela, the CEO of Runway, sees AI film evolving on two planes. Firstly, as the technology becomes more commonplace, the need for an AI qualifier will diminish. Secondly, Valenzuela believes AI will pave the way for a new art form and medium that is yet to be fully realized.
The 2nd Annual International AI Film Festival showcased the remarkable progress of generative AI in Hollywood. It demonstrated how AI can enhance storytelling and provide new creative possibilities for filmmakers. With the support of established film festivals and influential figures in the industry, AI is on its way to becoming an integral part of cinema. As technology continues to advance, we can expect creators to further explore and push the boundaries of what is possible with AI in filmmaking.