“Like the Academy Awards for AI Films” – we chat to the man behind the fascinating AI International Film Festival

“These are Tomorrow's Filmmakers. Making Tomorrow's Films.”

So reads the AI International Film Festival’s website – sending chills down our spine as we contemplate that, yes, we really are the cusp of a thrilling new era. One that the AI International Film Festival seeks to celebrate and explore with open-mindedness and curiosity. Let’s rewind a bit. Unless you’ve been living under a rock 🪨🤷– you’ll be aware that AI is drastically changing the world we live in, including the art we create and consume. 

The AI International Film Festival seeks to stay one step ahead of this momentous reckoning by giving a platform to both filmmakers who use AI tools in filmmaking, and those who use the medium of film to explore how AI will reshape our lives. 

Below, we chat with Bert Holland, the festival’s Founder and Executive Director, to discover exactly what their thought-provoking festival is all about, and what it seeks to achieve. 

✅ Key takeaways

🎥 This isn’t your average film festival. With AI-generated and hybrid films in the spotlight, and filmmakers engaging directly with audiences, the AI International Film Festival offers a truly unique experience – and most importantly, an enthralling glimpse into where creative tech is heading.

💡 Planning monthly festivals is no small feat. Founder insights reveal just how fast-paced and complex organising this kind of event can be. But the more you practice something, the more it becomes like second nature. Not forgetting that the rewards – like meeting brilliant filmmakers and hosting spontaneous live discussions – are more than worth it.

🎟️ Low-cost, high-flexibility ticketing = a win for non-profits. Ticket Tailor’s affordable pricing, intuitive dashboard, and ease-of-use make it a perfect match for this fast-evolving, non-profit festival.

Hey Bert! Let’s dive straight in. What’s the AI International Film Festival all about?

The AI International Film Festival was founded in 2021 with the mission to help prepare the public for the transformations to come from the rapidly expanding field of AI. We aim to do this by encouraging and recognising filmmakers and creative voices from around the world who either utilize AI tools in filmmaking, or who envision how AI will reshape our lives. You can find out more at aifilmfest.org.

As an independent and non-profit initiative, the festival recognises Tomorrow’s Filmmakers, and serves as a Window to the Future. Gerardo Escudero Samara – a globally awarded Entrepreneur, International Speaker, Filmmaker and Author – has described it as "Like the Academy Awards for AI Films". 

Unique to our format is that the entire group of selected filmmakers view each other’s films (both in-person and via Zoom) – and discuss each film live with the audience before viewing the next film. Needless to say, this makes for very spontaneous and lively discussions.

Due to high demand and to accommodate the rapid development and expansion of the AI sector, the AI International Film Festival now curates entries on a monthly cycle with monthly festivals hosted in Los Angeles. We also have future festivals planned for New York and Europe. 

Each festival event includes educational expert panels, which discuss the latest developments in AI and its ongoing effects on the film industry and employment. VIP ticket holders get to interact directly with filmmakers and film crews; and tickets for the festivals’ after-parties are also available.

What sort of criteria do you look for when it comes to selecting films to showcase? 

The festival focuses on storytelling, entertainment value, and the film’s message. With 45 award categories – including Art Direction, Cinematography, Acting, Screenwriting, and Directing – we evaluate entries based on 13 criteria. These include originality and creativity, emotional impact and audience connection, as well as the thematic depth and relevance to AI.

Ours is the only festival to accept films made with AI tools, as well as live-action films, hybrid AI films, documentaries, series, pilots, mini-series and experimental films in all genres and formats.

Can you tell us about any films that have really stood out to you recently?

Absolutely. Most recently, the films Echoes of Regret by Alexandre Tissier and Lincoln at Gettysburg by Matt Zien were both absolutely stunning in their realism, emotional impact, and storytelling. To such an extent that our judges were unable to discern which segments were live-action and which were not. These films show how AI can powerfully immerse viewers in historical events, and how it’s already elevating documentary storytelling to new heights.

What’s the most challenging aspect of planning your festivals? Likewise, the most rewarding?

The most challenging aspect is the speed and complexity of our festivals. Although, as we’re now on our eleventh festival, our processes have become very routine – so much so that we’re considering expansion with additional non-profit AI-related festivals. The most rewarding aspect is definitely the interaction we get with absolutely brilliant, inspired filmmakers – not forgetting equally as inspired and engaged attendees.

What do you think the future of film looks like, in a world of rapidly advancing AI?

It’s estimated that over one billion AI-generated films are already being created each year. With AI tools now being used for business, social media content, and creative storytelling, that number is set to grow exponentially. We’re witnessing a creative tsunami that will blur the lines between games and film, corporate and individual creators, reality and imagination, fact and fiction, streaming and cinema, series and events, entertainment and advertising. 

Now onto ticketing – we’d love to know why you chose Ticket Tailor as your ticketing partner? 

Initially we were drawn to Ticket Tailor due to its inexpensive rates – which were very appealing to us as a non-profit. We also like the fact Ticket Tailor is independent, as well the simplicity of its interface. We remain with Ticket Tailor because of its flexibility and familiarity with our attendees, although we now also list tickets with other platforms.

Which Ticket Tailor features have been most useful so far? 

We really value how quick and easy it is to get in touch with customer support, and have found the ability to download data very useful. We also find that Ticket Tailor is simpler and easier to navigate than other platforms we’ve used, and quicker to make running changes. Ultimately it's the flexibility, simplicity and speed of the platform that make our lives so much easier.

Finally, can you tell us anything about your future plans for the AI International Film Festival? 

We’re currently planning to expand our festival – both into other AI film segments, and new locations.

Sounds exciting –we’ll be watching out for your future developments! Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, Bert.

If you’re intrigued about the AI International Film Festival (and how could you not be?) – here are some useful links:

• Grab tickets to the latest AI International Film Festival events via their website homepage
• Submit your own film via Freeway (we dare you! 👀)
• Check out the festival’s expert panellists

Looking for a low-cost ticketing partner that offers the ultimate in flexibility, simplicity, and robust ticketing features? Learn more about ticketing your festival with Ticket Tailor >