The first World AI Film Festival (WAIFF) took place in Cannes this week, showcasing bizarre AI-generated films featuring men with fish scales, a heroine with an external heart, and armies of tanned soldiers. The event comes as the main Cannes festival banned AI from its Palme d'Or competition, stating that 'AI imitates very well but it will never feel deep emotions.'
Many entries explored dystopian themes or social anxieties about AI, while one short film featuring characters resembling Wallace and Gromit was disqualified over copyright concerns. Director Mathieu Kassovitz reacted with 'What the fuck?' and organisers acknowledged the resemblance, deciding not to screen it.
Despite the controversy, big tech and Hollywood studios are investing heavily in AI cinema. Stars like Val Kilmer have appeared posthumously via AI, and directors including Ron Howard and James Cameron have backed the technology. Studios see AI as a way to produce multiple lower-budget films instead of one blockbuster.
Critics noted the lack of humour and narrative heart in AI films, with many prioritising technical precision over storytelling. One recurring trend—photorealistic animals behaving like humans, such as bears on sunbeds and pigs on golf carts—drew particular criticism. The festival received 5,000 submissions, up from 1,000 the previous year.
