The World AI Film Festival was held last week in Nice. The event brought together professionals, creators, and the curious to explore the uses of AI in the world of image.
Over two days, the Pathé Gare du Sud cinema in Nice hosted the first edition of the World AI Film Festival (WAiFF). The event, organized by the Alpes-Maritimes Department, the House of Artificial Intelligence, and the EuropIA Institute, gathered more than 1,000 people over two days. Its goal was to confront technological challenges with audiovisual creation.
The program included screenings, panel discussions, award ceremonies, and opportunities for exchanges between artists, researchers, and industry players. More than 1,000 spectators attended the opening night, highlighted by the presentation of 12 awards in various categories: films, synopses, series, or even smartphone productions.
“Artificial intelligence, digital media, and new formats do not diminish cinema; they expand and enrich it,” stated Charles Ange Ginésy, president of the Alpes-Maritimes Department.
The festival also announced the launch of Genario Studio, a video creation hub assisted by AI. This new tool aims to support professionals in developing scenes, pitches, or hybrid sequences.
Legal issues, training, and the role of women
Beyond the projects showcased, several debates focused on the disruptions caused by AI: copyright, business models, and new writing forms. The jury, composed of film and audiovisual professionals, praised films that address these transformations.
Marco Landi, president of the EuropIA Institute, reminded us, “AI marks a turning point for cinema, but it remains a tool: it is up to us to use it wisely.”
The importance of training was also highlighted, particularly for technicians, students, and women, who are still underrepresented in this field.
At the end of these two days, the WAiFF team confirmed a second edition in 2026. The appointment is made to continue the already well-established reflection on the transformations of creation in the era of artificial intelligence.