Can artificial intelligence (AI) make movies? During the 81st Venice International Film Festival, a short film competition rewarded innovative use of AI and the quality of the narrative.
“We haven’t seen whether these technologies can be used correctly to produce, for example, a good story, good content,” said Filippo Rizzante of Reply, an international consultancy group working on AI and digital media that organized the competition.
On Tuesday night (3), the main prize went to “To Dear Me” by Gisele Tong, a moving narrative that explores a young woman’s struggle with the consequences of her parents’ divorce and her journey of self-discovery.
The three winning short films were based on the theme “Synthetic Stories, Human Hearts” and were selected from the twelve finalists by an international jury.
One of the judges was Rob Minkoff, co-director of Disney’s “The Lion King” and director of the “Stuart Little” films, among others.
“You can do things using AI that are not even possible. They are not conceivable or possible to do any other way,” Minkoff told Reuters from Los Angeles.
The Reply AI Film Festival is part of Reply’s ongoing initiatives to promote new technologies among younger generations and foster a culture of innovation, according to Rizzante, CTO of Reply.
Held during the Venice Film Festival, the AI-powered short film festival could be expected to upset some purists. Indeed, they initially struggled to find willing partners, according to Rizzante.
“We were reaching out to a lot of film festivals around the world. Most of them were like, ‘No, no, we don’t want you.’ Because obviously it’s a transition that concerns the entire industry,” he said.
“There will always be people who will fight against it, as there always is in any kind of transition, and there will be enthusiasts. But it’s like a tsunami. You can’t stop it,” he added.
The art world has been facing its own existential crisis as AI creates more sophisticated content and becomes increasingly ubiquitous.
“It really feels like the Wild West, with very few controls, which fosters and allows this kind of innovation to happen without restrictions,” Minkoff said.
While traditionalists may object to the influence of AI, he added that ultimately it should be seen as a new tool for artists to work with.
“If people are resisting it, it’s because in some ways it’s too revolutionary,” he added. “We’re still in the early days of all this kind of development.”
Technology was also a key issue in last year’s Hollywood strike, when performers feared that AI would make it easier to steal their likenesses. Actors are also worried that fully AI-generated actors, or “metahumans,” could steal their roles.
*Produced by Matt Stock
This content was originally published in Can AI make movies? Venice festival showcases innovative works on CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m Robert Neff, a professional writer and editor. I specialize in the entertainment section, providing up-to-date coverage on the latest developments in film, television and music. My work has been featured on World Stock Market and other prominent publications.
