🧠 AI in Cinema Discussed at the Venice Film Festival

The panel brought together experts from Alibaba Token Hub, Sonilo, and PROMPTR, along with representatives from the film education sector.

The core focus of the panel shifted from the technical capabilities of generative networks to their economic efficiency and creative potential for the industry.

Tianshu Zhu, Head of Global AI Solutions at Alibaba Token Hub, emphasized that AI tools are designed to overcome resource and budget constraints rather than replace screenwriters. The company announced the upcoming release of its HappyHorse 2.0 video generation model and the HappyHorse Control tool, which features real-time interactive engagement.

Barry Dignam, Vice Dean of the European university alliance FilmEU, noted that given the rapid pace of software updates, it is futile for film schools to chase every new service. Instead, film education must pivot toward critical thinking and fundamental craftsmanship, stressing that “AI is not a shortcut into the profession, but a working tool.”

Shawn Sun, CEO of the audio platform Sonilo, detailed licensing agreements with Universal Music Group and Sony Music. The revenue-sharing model between rights holders, labels, and creators enables commercial users to deploy generated tracks without the risk of legal disputes.