SIFF Unveils AI BACKLOT to Redefine the Future of Filmmaking With Artificial Intelligence
SHANGHAI: The Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) has taken a major step towards redefining the future of filmmaking with the launch of AI BACKLOT, an ambitious initiative designed to integrate artificial intelligence directly into the creative and production process.
Introduced during the 28th edition of SIFF, the programme positions AI not merely as a technological subject for discussion but as an active creative partner working alongside filmmakers, screenwriters and visual artists.
Developed jointly by SIFF and AI company Hailuo AI (MiniMax), AI BACKLOT aims to explore how artificial intelligence can assist in areas such as character development, emotional storytelling, production budgeting and workflow optimisation.
Festival organisers believe the initiative represents a new era of collaboration in which human creativity and advanced technology coexist to produce more innovative cinematic experiences.
Interest in the programme exceeded expectations.
During a 43-day global open call, nearly 500 applications were submitted by creators from seven countries and regions eager to experiment with AI-assisted filmmaking.
After a rigorous selection process and offline team matching, four international creative teams were chosen to produce original short films titled Lightcone, N.I. (Neng Gong Zhi Ren), Tri-Head and Bicycle Kids.
The teams adopted a “1+1” collaboration model that paired experienced filmmakers with creators specialising in AI-generated content.
Remarkably, all four teams completed their projects within one month while documenting the entire creative process, including prompts used for AI systems, revisions, production challenges and creative breakthroughs.
The AI BACKLOT Premiere and Creation Insights Launch was held on June 14 at Crowne Plaza Shanghai, where the short films made their public debut.
The event also showcased an unprecedented level of transparency by displaying raw footage, storyboards, AI prompts and editing materials, giving audiences and industry professionals an in-depth look at how AI contributes to creative decision-making.
At the same event, the world’s first Industry Observation Report on AI-Film Hybrid Creation was released.
Compiled by the School of Theatre, Film and Television at the Communication University of China, the report examined how filmmakers are incorporating AI into production while maintaining artistic vision and narrative quality.
Tong Ying, Deputy Director of the Shanghai International Film and Television Festival Center, described AI BACKLOT as a practical and reference-worthy model for the future of filmmaking.
According to him, digital technology should be viewed as a tool that empowers human creativity rather than replacing it.
The same sentiment was echoed by veteran Chinese filmmaker Huang Jianxin, who initiated the AI BACKLOT project.
He acknowledged the rapid advancement of cinematic AI technologies but stressed that storytelling, artistic judgement and emotional depth remain uniquely human strengths.
“Technology can accelerate production, but the soul of cinema still comes from people.
“Human creativity remains at the centre of filmmaking,” he said.
The project also featured a two-day public exhibition at the Shanghai Film Art Center, allowing visitors to explore open film sets, attend workshops and experiment with AI-powered filmmaking tools.
One of the highlights was the “My Story” live production challenge, where participants created short videos with AI assistance in real time.
Supported by digital culture policies from Shanghai’s Lingang New Area, AI BACKLOT is now being viewed as a pioneering case study for the global film industry.
As filmmakers worldwide continue to experiment with artificial intelligence, the initiative offers valuable insights into how technology can enhance creativity without compromising artistic integrity.
With AI evolving at an unprecedented pace, SIFF’s latest venture could shape the next chapter of global cinema and redefine the relationship between storytellers and technology for years to come.
