Mostly AI-generated Animated Movie, Critterz, to Premiere at Cannes 2026

Critterz, a mostly AI-generated animated movie, is in production and aiming to premiere at Cannes in 2026. Directed by OpenAI creative specialist Chad Nelson, the $30 million project will utilize OpenAI tools, including image models and GPT-5, alongside human contributions such as voice acting and preliminary sketches. The film expands on a 2023 short created by Nelson and Native Foreign co-founder Nik Kleverov, and follows forest creatures whose lives are disrupted by a mysterious stranger. Vertigo Films and Native Foreign are producing the film, with funding from Federation Studios, and some writers from Paddington 3 are involved. With a nine-month production schedule, Critterz highlights the growing controversy around AI in filmmaking, as studios and unions debate its impact on originality, labor, and copyright.

GameRadar+, Molly Edwards – An almost entirely AI-generated animated movie is in the works, and it’s aiming to debut at Cannes next year – 9th September 2025