Jack Song, Vice President of the San Francisco Film Commission, attended a unique gala focused on AI-generated films, hosted in the San Francisco office of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, which has invested in companies like OpenAI. Dressed in a black blazer and green shirt, he observed the enthusiastic crowd of over 100 people respond to various short films, including an indie pop music video titled "Get to You" by Caleb Hurst, directed by Dylan Varella. The video showcased a blend of real and AI-generated worlds, culminating in an animated farewell scene, prompting applause from the audience. The event, named the Project Odyssey AI Film Gala, combined elements of a film premiere and tech startup conference, organized by Civitai, a platform for sharing AI-generated art. Unlike traditional film festivals, this gathering featured awards, casual attire, and a focus on AI's role in filmmaking, amidst ongoing concerns in Hollywood about AI's threat to jobs. Coco Nitta, CEO of AI studio iKHOR Labs, addressed fears about AI replacing jobs, echoing the anxieties felt during last year’s Hollywood strikes. Conversely, many tech enthusiasts expressed excitement over AI's potential, aiming to legitimize AI filmmaking.

The competition featured short films under four minutes made by creators worldwide, with more than 1, 300 entries highlighting diverse genres. Nitta emphasized that AI could streamline the creative process, reducing burnout by facilitating quicker animation, as evidenced by a collaborative video project with the music group ROHKI that took about six weeks, whereas it could have taken much longer without AI. He believes AI will empower indie filmmakers to share their stories more broadly. Varella, initially skeptical about AI’s impact on the art form, found the process more complex and creatively demanding than he anticipated, while also expressing concern over AI’s rapid advancement. Panels at the gala discussed the limitations of AI technology, while also acknowledging improvements. As interest in AI filmmaking grows, future competitions like the second Project Odyssey contest and Amazon's Culver Cup are planned. Participants expressed a desire to shift the conversation from the tools of creation to the quality of the films themselves, emphasizing the importance of storytelling above all.