Business · The Guardian Technology
Cannes AI film festival raises eyebrows – and questions about future
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In Cannes’ darkened screening rooms, the supposed future of cinema flickered into life this week and it was strange.
Key facts
- Hollywood studios are interested in using AI to allow them “more shots on goal” by making several $50m (£37m) budget AI or hybrid films instead of one $200m conventional film, said the LA film
- Heavyweight film-makers in attendance included Gong Li, the Chinese superstar of Raise the Red Lantern, Kassovitz, and Claude Lelouch, the 88-year-old Oscar-winning director of the 1966 Un Homme et
- That should be a rule – no pigs on golf carts,” said one AI film-maker, as the credits rolled on some of the 5,000 AI-created films submitted for competition – up from 1,000 the previous year
- Many film-makers were relative unknowns using AI’s ability to create films on far lower budgets and there were some hits, including a poignant short by 22-year-old Swiss-Italian Dario Cirrincione
Summary
Last week the Cannes film festival, entering its 76th year, banned the emerging technology from its Palme d’Or competition, insisting “AI imitates well but it will never feel deep emotions”. Many of the films on show were a world away from the sun-drenched glamour usually associated with Cannes icons such as Brigitte Bardot or George Clooney. A short film that contained lead characters remarkably similar to Aardman Animation’s Oscar-winning Wallace and Gromit, was shortlisted for an award, causing some raised eyebrows. The festival organisers responded by saying their jury had noticed “a strong resemblance to an existing work” and “decided not to award or screen it”.