Some days, I feel a surge of excitement about the future of filmmaking powered by AI, shares Finnish producer Aleksi Hyvärinen. However, the next day, I find myself questioning, ‘Is this really a positive development?’ This duality of emotions—between hope and skepticism—set the stage for a transformative two-day workshop at this year’s Amman International Film Festival. During this event, Hyvärinen facilitated a session titled AI and Filmmaking: A Grounded Guide, part of the festival’s Amman Film Industry Days program. As a co-founder of The Alchemist, a Nordic creative studio that blends storytelling and AI to produce “emotionally intelligent” content across film, television, and branded media, he aimed to delve deeper into the implications of AI for the future of storytelling, steering clear of technical jargon and coding.

Reflecting on the workshop, Hyvärinen said, “It turned into two days of engaging discussions.” Instead of focusing on the mechanics of film production or software tutorials, the workshop prioritized a more pressing need: providing context, grounding, and a space for reflection. Attendees were encouraged to contemplate the implications of AI on their creative processes. The goal was not just to learn about AI tools, but to understand how they might reshape the filmmaking landscape and what it means for future storytellers.

Hyvärinen, renowned for producing films like The Twin, Lake Bodom, and Netflix’s Hold Your Breath: The Ice Dive, has conducted similar workshops across Europe, including in Croatia, Cyprus, Finland, The Netherlands, and now Jordan. Each audience brings its unique cultural perspectives, but the reactions to AI remain surprisingly consistent. “Some participants are eager to dive in, while others express skepticism. Most are like me, navigating the gray areas and trying to make sense of it all,” he noted, capturing the complex landscape of opinions surrounding AI.

Regardless of their initial stance on AI, one common insight emerged: attendees walked away with a sense of urgency to learn more. Whether their feelings toward AI were rooted in fascination or fear, they collectively acknowledged its inevitability in the industry. The consensus was clear: AI is not a passing trend, but a transformative force that filmmakers must engage with to stay relevant in the evolving cinematic landscape.

Understanding the Varied Reactions to AI in Filmmaking

The urgency to comprehend AI’s role resonated deeply with many workshop participants. Anwaar Al-Shawabkeh, a Jordanian filmmaker known for Start Now, shared her experience, saying, “Before the workshop, I had a moderate understanding of AI tools, driven by curiosity. However, these two days significantly altered my perception! Engaging with the tools alongside Aleksi made it clear that AI is an unavoidable reality.” Her journey of discovery showcased the transformative potential of AI in enhancing the filmmaking process.

One moment that particularly resonated with her was when participants began casually referring to AI as “he.” This prompted her to reflect on how this technology might evolve and how future generations might perceive it differently. “No one consulted us on whether we wanted this change, and it’s coming whether we like it or not!” she exclaimed, highlighting the pressing need for a critical dialogue around AI in creative industries.

While she voiced ethical concerns regarding the ambiguous language surrounding AI in creative fields, Al-Shawabkeh ultimately views it as a natural progression. “Just like the advancements in editing technology that occurred 50 years ago, tasks that once took hours can now be achieved with a single click. I intend to incorporate AI into my future projects. With careful consideration and experience, I believe it can enhance the creative process in profound ways,” she affirmed, demonstrating a balanced perspective on the integration of AI in filmmaking.

Her essential piece of advice for fellow independent filmmakers? “Stay calm. AI is merely a new tool. We must explore both its strengths and limitations to truly understand its place in our work and the world that lies ahead.” This perspective underscores the importance of embracing AI with an open mind while navigating the challenges and opportunities it presents.

Exploring How AI is Transforming Filmmaking Workflows

A primary goal of the workshop was to unveil the actual applications of AI in filmmaking and to clearly differentiate what is currently feasible from what remains mere hype. Participants engaged with various AI tools, such as Google Veo and Google Stream, as well as the groundbreaking 4D Gaussian Splatting technique, which empowers filmmakers to construct immersive 3D environments from just a few flat images. “You can film a straightforward 2D scene,” Hyvärinen elaborates, “and later reframe it, adjust the camera angle, and zoom in, transforming it into a full 3D model.” This technology exemplifies the innovative potential of AI in enhancing visual storytelling.

However, the workshop didn’t solely focus on the more glamorous aspects of AI. A significant portion was dedicated to exploring non-generative AI tools, which, while not creating new media, play a crucial role in organizing and expediting existing workflows. For instance, AI can rapidly process and catalog 300 hours of raw documentary footage, streamlining the editing process. This practical application of AI highlights its ability to enhance efficiency and productivity in filmmaking.

“It’s often overlooked in ethical discussions,” Hyvärinen points out. “While non-generative AI tools are not devoid of ethical or copyright complications, they typically do not carry the same weight or creative implications as generative AI.” This distinction is vital for filmmakers as they navigate the ethical landscape of integrating AI into their work.

Nonetheless, Hyvärinen remains realistic about the industry’s evolution. Entry-level positions, such as assistant editors, are likely to be among the first impacted by AI. “It’s not necessarily that the work is better; it’s just cheaper and faster to execute. And that’s typically how industries evolve,” he explains, emphasizing the need for filmmakers to adapt to the changing landscape.

The issue of authorship was a recurring theme during the workshop, particularly regarding the question of control in the creative process. Mohammed AlQaq, a Palestinian-Jordanian artist, performer, and filmmaker, shared, “Before the workshop, I was adamantly against the idea of AI usurping my thoughts or creativity. I was inclined to use it solely as a time-saving tool rather than a substitute for my creative input.” His initial reservations highlight a common concern among artists regarding the integration of AI in creative endeavors.

However, by the end of the two days, AlQaq experienced a subtle shift in his perspective. “While I still uphold my original opinion, I have also become more open to the idea that I can maintain control even in creative work,” he noted, illustrating the potential for AI to coexist alongside human creativity rather than replace it.

AlQaq challenged a participant who voiced fear about AI’s growing role in filmmaking. “I felt that the discussion was somewhat exaggerated. There’s no reason to fear AI; it functions as a tool, not a threat,” he asserted, emphasizing the need to reframe the narrative around AI in creative industries.

Despite his evolving viewpoint, concerns linger. “I will continue to have reservations regarding copyright issues, and I will always grapple with questions filled with anxiety: Will I truly own all rights? Will these tools deceive me in the future and demand exorbitant fees for access?” AlQaq’s reflections reveal the complexities surrounding the ethical use of AI in filmmaking.

His primary takeaway from the workshop was clear: “AI is simply another tool, an assistant in the creative process, and I will always retain the role of director.” This perspective reinforces the notion that while AI can assist in various capacities, the core creative decisions should remain firmly in human hands.

AI as a Cost-Effective Solution Amid Budgetary Challenges in Filmmaking

When discussing the boundary between assistance and authorship, Hyvärinen referenced a fellow Finnish writer, Katri Manninen, who likened AI to having a human assistant in a Hollywood writers’ room. “If you would credit a human for that level of input, then AI should not receive similar recognition,” he asserted with conviction. “We must not allow it to cross that creative boundary.”

That said, Hyvärinen frequently utilizes AI as a brainstorming partner. “It excels at surfacing ideas quickly. However, upon deeper exploration, you realize its suggestions are often generic. There’s a lack of distinct voice and perspective. Storytelling is fundamentally about perspective,” he clarified, emphasizing the limitations of AI in capturing the nuances of human storytelling.

Coming from Finland, Hyvärinen is well-acquainted with the constraints of budgetary limitations. He firmly believes that independent filmmakers stand to benefit the most, provided they approach AI strategically. “There are narratives we never pitched simply because we knew we couldn’t afford them,” he explained. “Now? Perhaps we can. Maybe we don’t need $10 million; perhaps we can achieve it for $500K and still create a compelling product.” This optimism reflects the potential for AI to democratize filmmaking.

What does Hyvärinen foresee for the film industry in 2029? He envisions a bifurcated landscape: high-end, artisanal cinema on one end and rapid-production, AI-enhanced content, like telenovelas or streaming series, on the other. “We could be filming actors in green screen studios, crafting environments, adjusting wardrobe, facial features, dialogue, even camera angles—all of that in post-production,” he speculated, hinting at a future where AI transforms the filmmaking process.

Nevertheless, he maintains that the essence of creative work—particularly in acting, directing, and storytelling—will remain firmly human. “However, aspects like location scouting, production design, and potentially some editing are likely to shift towards AI integration,” he concluded. This perspective underscores the inevitability of change in the film industry as AI continues to evolve.

As he reflects on this paradigm shift, Hyvärinen compares it to past transformations such as the advent of digital cinematography, nonlinear editing, and the rise of the internet. “This transition will not be seamless; it will be a mix of benefits and challenges. Just like the internet in the 2000s or electricity in the early 1900s, we can speculate on some outcomes, but we cannot predict the full impact of what lies ahead,” he cautioned, encapsulating the uncertainty and excitement surrounding the future of AI in filmmaking.