Dave Clark, left, a director, discusses improvements while reviewing videos created by participants at the BIFAN+AI Filmmaking Workshop on July 3. Courtesy of Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival

On July 3, at the Webtoon Convergence Center in Wonmi District, Bucheon City, Ahn Young-jin, CEO of Movie Photo, was creating a film. “I didn't know AI could produce this level of video quality. I was initially skeptical about AI films, but now I see a lot of potential,” Ahn said.

“I joined to criticize, but my perspective completely changed," he added.

It was part of the BIFAN+AI Filmmaking Workshop at the 28th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, which began on July 2, where Ahn was working with three colleagues.

The team, named Last Train, created a film about giant insects attacking humans due to global warming, with the survivors attempting to board the last train to colder regions.

Titled "Snowpiercer: Last Train," the scenario and casting were completed the day before, and they spent the third day "filming" at a desk using the newly released AI video production program Runway G3.

The workshop attracted around 600 applicants, thereby doubling the original 30 slots to 60.

Participants included many in their 20s and 30s, such as students from the Korea National University of Arts, as well as mid-career filmmakers like An.

Director Jung Ji-young, 78, known for "Broken Arrow" (2012) and "Boys" (2023), also participated.

The 60 participants were divided into 16 teams, each creating a short film in 48 hours using AI technology. These 16 films will be screened at Bucheon Art Bunker B39 until July 14.

A scene from the AI film "Snowpiercer: Last Train," created at the BIFAN+AI Filmmaking Workshop / Courtesy of Ahn Young-jin

Significant transformation in film industry within just 5 years

AI films have the potential to revolutionize the film industry. The creation of a 2-minute sci-fi film, "Snowpiercer: Last Train," without extensive manpower or lengthy CGI work, highlights the efficiency AI brings, potentially reducing costs and production times.

American AI film director Dave Clark, a workshop instructor, said that the young Tom Hanks in Robert Zemeckis's new film "Here" is entirely created with AI, marking the beginning of a transformation in Hollywood. Clark is the only AI film director in the Directors Guild of America.

Director Kang Je-gyu also predicted significant changes in the film industry within five years, saying, “AI presents tremendous opportunities and risks.”

However, AI films still face challenges. Generated scenes have limitations, and the "uncanny valley" effect (the eerie sensation when a humanoid object appears almost, but not quite, human) remains a significant hurdle.

Director Jung Ji-young said, “AI still produces errors, so it cannot be fully relied upon yet. It can serve as a supplementary tool, generating scenes to replace additional filming.”

A scene from director Kwon Han-sel's AI film "One More Pumpkin," which won the grand prize at the inaugural Dubai International AI Film Festival this year. Courtesy of Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival

Real challenge lies with humans, not AI

AI films not only alter the structure of the film industry but also raise legal and ethical issues.

The BIFAN+AI International Conference, held from July 5-7 at the Bucheon Art Center, addressed these concerns with 22 lectures and discussions, each attracting full attendance.

A notable session on July 6, titled "How AI Will Change the Film Industry," focused on the legal and ethical issues of AI films.

Anna Bulakh, an ethics officer from the Ukrainian AI voice synthesis software company Respeecher, emphasized the importance of three words when dealing with AI: trust, control and creativity.

"It is crucial to create an environment where AI can be controlled to protect portrait rights and intellectual property rights while still producing creative content," she said.

Oh Sang-joon, CEO of AI webtoon production platform Dreamers, also said, “AI can help us imagine a more diverse and rich world. The misuse of data or unauthorized use of voices is a human error, not an AI one.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times.