From Quiet Experiment to Open Conversation
Artificial intelligence has moved from the margins of film sets into the center of industry debate, shifting the question from whether AI belongs in cinema to how it should be used. At major festivals, conversations now focus on practical applications of AI in filmmaking, especially in production and post-production. Directors and executives acknowledge that AI can automate labor-intensive tasks, speed up workflows, and help an industry still recovering from pandemic disruptions. Yet this adoption has been complicated by what some describe as a culture of secrecy, with studios underplaying how deeply AI-generated visual effects and other tools are already embedded in pipelines. As controversies over undisclosed AI use have grown, so has the realization that film production transparency is no longer optional. A new cohort of filmmakers is responding by treating candid disclosure as part of their creative and ethical responsibility to audiences.
Steven Soderbergh’s Documentary as a Transparency Test Case
Steven Soderbergh’s documentary about John Lennon’s final interview has become a high-profile case study in documentary AI use. The film largely relies on archival audio, stills, and footage, but the director has openly explained that a portion of the visuals are AI-generated fantasy images. These sequences are designed not to recreate reality, but to evoke a dreamlike, thematic space whenever Lennon and Yoko Ono shift into more philosophical territory. Soderbergh stresses that such work still demands intense human supervision, underscoring that AI in filmmaking is a tool, not an autonomous author. Just as notable as the craft choice is his decision to talk about it publicly. He has described himself as being his own whistleblower, arguing that transparency is essential precisely because audiences often do not know where AI is being used, or how it may be shaping what they see and feel on-screen.
Xavier Gens and the Efficiency Argument for AI
For directors like Xavier Gens, AI’s appeal is firmly rooted in production efficiency. Reflecting on his shark thriller Under Paris, Gens has said that if he were making the film now, AI-generated visual effects could dramatically reduce both post-production time and budget. He suggests the project could be completed in a fraction of the original schedule, with a significantly smaller VFX spend. That prospect is especially attractive for effects-heavy titles that traditionally require long render times and large teams. Gens is already exploring how to integrate AI more deeply into a potential sequel, seeing it as a way to automate repetitive or highly technical tasks while leaving creative decisions to human artists. Crucially, he is speaking publicly about these plans, signaling that film production transparency about AI use can coexist with commercial pragmatism, rather than being treated as an embarrassing shortcut.
Festivals Are Normalizing AI—With Clear Human Boundaries
Film festivals are increasingly where new norms around AI-generated visual effects are being tested. At Cannes, AI is no longer a taboo subject but a programmed topic, with dedicated spaces where startups showcase tools ranging from post-production automation to audience insight platforms. The festival’s partnership with a major tech company for an AI-assisted documentary underscores that the technology is entering the mainstream. At the same time, new rules echoing those of top awards bodies draw a hard line: films driven primarily by generative AI are barred from top competition categories, and human authorship in writing and performance remains non-negotiable. Prominent filmmakers have warned against conflating generative systems with other, more conventional AI tools used for organization or analytics. This balanced stance acknowledges AI’s utility while reaffirming that talent and creative intent must remain at the heart of cinematic storytelling.
Transparency as a Competitive Advantage in the AI Era
The industry is discovering that openness about AI may be a strategic strength rather than a liability. Past controversies over undisclosed AI interventions, such as digital manipulation of performances, have shown how secrecy can erode audience trust and even affect awards momentum. In response, directors like Steven Soderbergh are proactively framing their AI choices as deliberate artistic decisions, not hidden shortcuts. This clarity reassures audiences that they are not being deceived about what is real, reconstructed, or imagined. It also gives filmmakers space to experiment: when viewers understand the boundaries of AI use, they can better appreciate how it enhances mood, structure, or visual language. As more creators publicly acknowledge AI’s role in their workflows, film production transparency is evolving into a brand of integrity—one that could help distinguish responsible, human-led cinema in a landscape where invisible algorithmic authorship is becoming increasingly easy to hide.