Mumbai, 20 June 2026

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the way films are made, but it is unlikely to replace filmmaking professionals completely, said Anand Pandey during a workshop titled “Exploring Cinema in a Compact Future” at the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF).

Anand Pandey is an animation producer, creative technologist and founder of Screenyug Creations and MergeXR. He has played an important role in developing India's animation industry and has worked on projects such as Little Krishna, Shaktimaan and Krishna Aur Kans.

Speaking to participants, Pandey explained how AI powered video tools are becoming more advanced and accessible. He said filmmakers can use APIs and open-source platforms to explore these technologies at a relatively low cost, even when some advanced AI models are not directly available in India.

Replying to a question on whether AI could replace jobs such as assistant directors, line producers and production managers, Pandey said that AI and traditional filmmaking will continue to work together. Comparing it with the shift from film cameras to digital technology, he said that every technological change creates new opportunities while changing the way work is done.

He stressed that human creativity will always remain important in cinema. According to him, audiences connect with human stories and performances, and that is something technology cannot replace. At the same time, AI can help filmmakers save time and money, fix production errors and make post-production work easier.

The workshop also discussed how AI can help writers, creators and independent filmmakers develop ideas, visualize scenes and communicate their creative vision more effectively.

Participants actively interacted with the speaker and sought guidance on AI tools, API access and future career opportunities in the creative industry. The session ended on an optimistic note, highlighting the potential of AI to support storytellers and expand opportunities in filmmaking.

The workshop also marked the conclusion of the workshop series at the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival.

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PIB Team MIFF | Mahesh Kumar/Robin Singh/Darshana Rane