AI-animated film poised to stir debate over tech

OpenAI provides the tools for 'Critterz,' a project with relatively small staff and budget.

- BY SAMANTHA MASUNAGA

NATIVE FOREIGN, a production company in Culver City, and Britain-based Vertigo Films plan to release the feature "Critterz" in May.

An animated feature film that uses artificial intelligence tools from OpenAI is expected to debut next year, likely fueling the debate in Hollywood about the role of the technology in filmmaking.

"Critterz" is based on the 2023 AI-animated short of the same name that satirized nature documentaries. In the film, the fantastical woodland creatures rebel against their passive onscreen depictions.

The film is a partnership between Britain-based Vertigo Films and Culver City creative agency and production company Native Foreign, which specializes in AI storytelling.