In discussions about the future of AI in Hollywood, few voices are as critical as Justine Bateman. The seasoned actor and filmmaker, who holds a computer science degree from UCLA, raises alarms about the risks of substituting human creativity with machine output.
Bateman has emerged as a leading advocate against AI in filmmaking, especially during the recent strikes when she provided counsel to SAG-AFTRA and served as a prominent figure on the WGA picket line.
As the founder of Credo 23, an organization formed two years ago, she asserts that generative AI could dismantle the traditional framework of the film industry and aims to create “authentic, visceral films and series that honor the art of filmmaking.”
With Hollywood cautiously exploring text-to-video technologies like OpenAI‘s Sora, Bateman is revitalizing her message against AI’s encroachment. She emphasizes the importance of a movement focused on restoring humanity and authenticity to filmmaking, which she believes has waned since algorithms began influencing content decisions in the past decade.
To propagate her vision, Bateman has established the Credo 23 Film Festival, a platform dedicated to showcasing human-created films without AI-generated elements (although visual effects crafted by humans are acceptable). She intends to funnel all profits from the festival back to the filmmakers to support their future projects. Set to occur this weekend at the American Legion Post 43 near the Hollywood Bowl, the festival will highlight around 30 short and feature films.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bateman elaborated on her objectives for the festival, emphasizing its unique no-AI policy and the significance of empowering filmmakers to continue producing genuine, human-centric cinema. She expressed concerns that the increasing reliance on AI could erode the original artistic essence that festivals have historically celebrated, compelling her to create an alternative that champions unique artistic voices.
Bateman envisions a future where audiences tire of automated content and seek out authentic storytelling. She likens the current entertainment landscape to a “conveyor belt” of mediocrity and asserts that true art emerges from human creativity, not AI-generated replication. Through her festival, she aims to cultivate a movement towards a filmmaking industry that prioritizes humanity and artistry over automaton-like content production.
