Cannes AI film festival raises eyebrows – and questions about future

I n Cannes’ darkened screening rooms, the supposed future of cinema flickered into life this week at the World AI Film Festival (WAIFF). The inaugural event showcased visions of men with fish scales erupting from their necks, a heroine with a heart beating outside her body, and armies of AI-generated actors sweeping across battlefields. Cannes, entering its 76th year, banned AI films from its Palme d’Or competition, insisting AI cannot feel deep emotions. However, the festival was dominated by AI filmmakers and big-tech backers, with Hollywood studios showing increasing interest in using AI to create multiple lower-budget films instead of high-cost conventional ones. The festival featured a mix of experimental and dystopian AI films, including a man making billions from a company selling the idea that nothing matters. There were Blade Runner-inspired dystopias and feverish nightmares reflecting social anxieties about AI. One short film, with characters resembling Wallace and Gromit, was shortlisted, sparking controversy over copyright concerns. Festival organizers acknowledged a strong resemblance to an existing work but decided not to award or screen it, emphasizing respect for copyright. The festival’s slogan, "New waves of creation," was questioned by some, who argued that just because AI can create films doesn’t mean it should. The event also highlighted ethical debates. Directors like Mathieu Kassovitz expressed concerns about AI stealing intellectual property, while others, like Agnès Jaoui, questioned whether AI films validate the technology. Despite the controversy, some AI films were praised for their technical precision, including a poignant short by Dario Cirrincione, which used AI to depict dementia with a cost of €500 compared to €20,000 for conventional effects. Heavyweights like Gong Li, Kassovitz, and Claude Lelouch attended, with Lelouch announcing he would use AI for his next film, calling it a way to reclaim his childhood. The festival’s president, Iris Knobloc, stated Cannes would not include AI films in its competition next month, arguing that films are personal visions, not data assemblies. Meanwhile, WAIFF founder Marco Landi warned that AI filmmaking is gaining momentum, urging creators to decide whether to embrace or resist the wave. The festival’s opening ceremony featured a human orchestra playing Ravel’s Boléro, serving as a reminder that human artistry remains unmatched.