Latest news with #Caleb&ShelbyWard
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
REPLY: The Jury for the Second Edition of the Reply AI Film Festival Is Announced, Which Will Celebrate the Best AI-generated Short Films
Gabriele Muccino, together with Caleb & Shelby Ward, Caroline Ingeborn, Charlie Fink, Denise Negri, Dave Clark, Filippo Rizzante, Guillem Martinez Roura, Paolo Moroni, and Rob Minkoff, will evaluate the shortlisted films based on creativity, production quality, and the use of Artificial Intelligence. TURIN, Italy, May 08, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Reply, an international group specialised in the development of new business models enabled by Artificial Intelligence and long committed to the exploration of emerging technologies and supporting the growth of new talent, announces the jury for the second edition of the Reply AI Film Festival. The international competition open to creatives, filmmakers, and videomakers who wish to experiment with the production of short films using AI tools and explore the continuous evolution of the collaboration of human creativity and technology and the power that this combination brings to storytelling. The jury will be chaired by Gabriele Muccino, an Italian director and screenwriter known for films such as The Pursuit of Happyness, and Seven Pounds. Joining him on the panel for the second edition of the Reply AI Film Festival are returning members Rob Minkoff, co-director of The Lion King and creator of numerous films including Stuart Little, The Haunted Mansion, and Mr. Peabody & Sherman; Caleb & Shelby Ward, co-founders of Curious Refuge, the first online community dedicated to filmmakers using Artificial Intelligence; and Denise Negri, journalist for SkyTg24 and Sky Arte, and correspondent for major international film events such as the Academy Awards, Cannes, and Venice Film Festivals. New to the jury this year are Dave Clark, founder and Chief Creative Officer of Promise, a production company focused on films, series, and innovative formats created in collaboration with some of the world's most talented GenAI artists and storytellers worldwide, and Charlie Fink, columnist for Forbes US and expert in Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and AI. The jury also includes Filippo Rizzante, Chief Technology Officer at Reply; Caroline Ingeborn, Chief Operating Officer at Luma AI, a platform for creating highly realistic 3D images and videos; Paolo Moroni, Head of Lexus Italy; and Guillem Martinez Roura, AI & Robotics Lead at ITU AI for Good, the United Nations initiative focused on harnessing AI for the benefit of society. The theme chosen for the 2025 edition is "Generation of Emotions" — an invitation to explore how Artificial Intelligence can evoke authentic and engaging emotions through cinematic language. The jury will evaluate submissions — due by June 1st, 2025 via the platform — based on creativity, production quality, and the use of AI in the various stages of development, from script to post-production. Gabriele Muccino commented: "The Reply AI Film Festival is a pioneering event showcasing technology and art's exciting intersection. AI is not a replacement for human creativity, but a catalyst for innovation. It will enable filmmakers to explore new styles, genres, and narratives that were previously unimaginable. As President of the Reply AIFF Jury, I'm honoured to be part of this journey, discovering new talents and celebrating the bold experiments that will shape the future of cinema. The AI revolution is just beginning, and I'm thrilled to be at the forefront of this creative explosion." "The role of AI in the future of the film industry won't be about replacing filmmakers—it'll be about expanding what's creatively possible. It will be a creative collaborator, helping filmmakers visualise ideas faster, experiment more freely, and bring ambitious stories to life with fewer limitations. From pre-production to post, AI will streamline workflows and democratise access to powerful tools, opening doors for more diverse voices and bold storytelling. But filmmaking will always be human at the core because AI can't feel joy, loss, or love. It hasn't lived the stories we're here to tell. Used with intention, AI won't diminish creativity but elevate it," said Dave Clark founder and Chief Creative Officer of Promise. "We are delighted to launch the second edition of the AI Film Festival because we believe in the importance of creating spaces and opportunities to experiment with emerging technologies," said Filippo Rizzante, CTO of Reply. "The success of the first edition, with over 1,000 short films submitted from 59 countries, underlines the global interest — not only among the younger generations — in initiatives that challenge both technical and creative skills." In addition to selecting the most outstanding original short films, the jury will also award two special prizes that are new to this edition: the Lexus Visionary Award, recognising the most visionary and innovative production that successfully integrates technology, design and forward-thinking, in line with the values that have always guided Lexus' approach to creativity; and the AI for Good Award, promoted in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which recognises the best short film that highlights the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Paolo Moroni, Head of Lexus Italy, commented: "It is an honour to be part of the jury for this festival, which invites us to explore how Artificial Intelligence can accelerate the creation of authentic and engaging emotions through the language of cinema, combining innovation, creativity and vision. Much like Lexus - with whom it shares values such as innovation, creativity and forward thinking - this competition celebrates the evolution of film and technology's ability to support the generation of deep emotions, constantly pushing the boundaries of imagination." "I'm thrilled to join the Reply AI Film Festival as a juror and to present the 'AI for Good Award'. This festival is a unique opportunity to showcase the creative potential of generative AI technologies in storytelling. I'm looking forward to seeing how filmmakers use AI to tell compelling stories, highlighting the importance of sustainable development. AI can be a powerful tool for driving positive change, and I'm excited to see how the festival will inspire new ideas and innovations," said Guillem Martinez Roura, AI & Robotics Lead at ITU "AI for Good" The creatives behind the shortlisted works will be invited to a premiere event, organised by Reply and Mastercard, taking place in September in Venice where the three overall winners will be officially announced. Reply Reply [EXM, STAR: REY, ISIN: IT0005282865] specialises in the design and implementation of solutions based on new communication channels and digital media. Reply is a network of highly specialised companies supporting key European industrial groups operating in the telecom and media, industry and services, banking, insurance and public administration sectors in the definition and development of business models enabled for the new paradigms of big data, cloud computing, digital media and the Internet of Things. Reply services include: Consulting, System Integration and Digital Services. View source version on Contacts Reply Fabio Tel. +390117711594 Irene Tel. +39 02 535761
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Promise Acquires Curious Refuge to Empower and Discover Generative AI Storytellers Worldwide
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Promise, the pioneering film and TV studio built for the Generative AI era, announced its acquisition of Curious Refuge, the premier AI film school dedicated to empowering the next generation of storytellers. This acquisition marks a major milestone in Promise's mission to foster global innovation in the Generative AI space, creating an environment where learning, creativity, and imagination can thrive. Since its launch in 2020, Curious Refuge has become a vital resource for mentoring and educating emerging and established artists, equipping them with the knowledge to explore the vast creative potential of Generative AI. Through workshops, courses, and partnerships with Hollywood organizations and guilds, Curious Refuge has cultivated a uniquely supportive ecosystem, elevating the skills of over 4,000 people from 171 countries and helping talent across the entertainment industry lean into this new era of storytelling. As Gen AI ushers in a new movement of creativity and filmmaking, Curious Refuge has established itself as a home base for learning, experimentation, and artistic growth. "Curious Refuge has demonstrated that Generative AI is more than just a tool—it's an artform that sparks new forms of collaboration, unlocks creativity, and brings extraordinary visions to life," said George Strompolos, Co-Founder and CEO of Promise. "By joining forces, Promise and Curious Refuge will lead the creation of a vibrant creative community, connecting artists, filmmakers, and industry leaders who are inspired to harness the power of Generative AI." This acquisition underscores Promise's commitment to producing cutting-edge films and series while cultivating a creative talent pipeline that also benefits the broader entertainment industry. It also opens the door for Curious Refuge creators to be considered for roles on future Promise film and TV projects, bridging the gap between emerging talent and compelling storytelling. "We've always been inspired by new ways to express creativity, and through Curious Refuge, we've had the privilege of witnessing the unbridled imagination that flourishes when bold ideas meet the right tools," said Caleb & Shelby Ward, who serve as co-founders of Curious Refuge. "Curious Refuge has always been a safe space for creators to explore and embrace these advanced tools without fear of the unknown. This acquisition allows us to deepen our investment in the global community of storytellers while leveraging Promise's industry connections to link our creators to exciting film and TV opportunities." With investment backing from Peter Chernin's The North Road and Andrew Chen at Andreessen Horowitz, Promise is actively collaborating with leading Gen AI artists, Hollywood talent, and rights-holders to produce a multi-year slate of films, series, and innovative formats. Founded in late 2024 by Fullscreen CEO George Strompolos, former YouTube content executive Jamie Byrne, and acclaimed Gen AI innovator Dave Clark, Promise is committed to creating a creative environment that champions original stories for global audiences. Together, Promise and Curious Refuge aim to shape a future where technology and human ingenuity work in harmony to push the boundaries of creativity, empower bold voices, and reimagine what's possible in storytelling. About Promise Promise Advanced Imagination, Inc. is a studio built from the ground up in the era of Generative AI to produce films, series, and explore new forms of entertainment for a variety of distribution platforms. Founded in 2024, the company collaborates with Gen AI artists, Hollywood talent, and third-party rights-holders to deliver a diverse slate of innovative storytelling to global audiences. Learn more at About Curious Refuge Curious Refuge is the premier online school and creative community for AI-powered storytelling, helping artists, studios, brands, and creators worldwide learn how to bring their boldest ideas to life with this transformative technology. Through interactive courses and a vibrant community, Curious Refuge is championing a new era of creativity. SOCIAL MEDIA:URL: @Promise_AI, @gstrompolos, @CuriousRefugeLinked In:Promise, George Strompolos, Curious Refuge View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Promise Sign in to access your portfolio
