Tokyo AI Film Festival brings filmmakers, tech leaders together to explore AI’s role in cinema

An initiative that began as an idea few weeks ago culminated in the Tokyo AI Film Festival, bringing filmmakers, creators, technology professionals and entertainment industry leaders together to examine how artificial intelligence could reshape filmmaking. Chandan Perla, co-founder of Internet Cinematic, described Tokyo as a significant location for a conversation about the future of storytelling.

Japan has been home to some of the world’s most influential entertainment franchises, including Pokémon, Naruto, Attack on Titan and Studio Ghibli productions. The festival is seeking to connect that creative legacy with the rapidly developing capabilities of AI.

According to Perla, the event focuses on how AI can work alongside filmmakers and major studios to expand creative possibilities rather than replace human creators.


The festival follows the August 2 launch in Tokyo of Internet Cinematic, a film research and production studio focused on integrating AI into filmmaking.

The studio was launched with participation from filmmakers, technologists and creative professionals from India and Japan. The event attracted nearly 300 filmmakers and industry professionals.

Founded by Kei Hayashi, Hardeep Gambhir, Suhas Sumukh and Chandan Perla, Internet Cinematic aims to explore how artificial intelligence can transform filmmaking while keeping filmmakers and artists at the centre of the creative process.

The rapid development of generative AI has triggered a wider debate across the global entertainment industry over the future of filmmaking, including questions around creative control, intellectual property, jobs and the role of human artists.