Four AI-Enabled Films Unveiled Under IICT-YouTube Initiative
IICT and YouTube launch four groundbreaking AI-enabled short films, marking a new era for Indian filmmaking and generative AI technology.
In a landmark moment for the Indian film industry, the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) and YouTube have officially unveiled the first four AI-enabled short films produced under their collaborative ‘Create with AI’ programme. This debut marks a significant leap toward establishing India as a global powerhouse in AI-driven storytelling and creative technology.
The four films, developed by Eleventh Door Studio, Avium Studios, Karthik Kult Kreations, and Kalpanik Films LLP, were showcased at the IICT Theatre in Mumbai. Following the premiere, the filmmakers released the projects on their respective YouTube channels and the official IICT platform.
Bridging Technology and Creative Craft
The ‘Create with AI’ initiative, which was first announced in November 2025, is designed to provide filmmakers with a unique blend of institutional support and cutting-edge digital tools. The programme integrates IICT’s specialized infrastructure and faculty mentorship with YouTube’s advanced AI software, tools, and credits.
This synergy allows participating studios to experiment with Artificial Intelligence across every stage of the filmmaking lifecycle, including:
- Concept Development: Using AI to brainstorm and refine narrative ideas.
- Visualisation: Speeding up the process of storyboarding and visual planning.
- Production: Implementing AI-driven workflows during the shoot.
- Post-Production: Enhancing visual effects and editing through generative tools.
To provide a deeper look into this technological shift, audiences can also access exclusive behind-the-scenes content that explores the specific tools, techniques, and creative methodologies employed by the production teams.
Boosting Productivity for Indian Creators
The integration of AI is not just about spectacle; it is about efficiency. According to a recent Gen Media India report by Public First and Google, generative media tools offer a 20% productivity boost for creative workers in India. This efficiency gain translates to saving approximately 390 hours every year—effectively granting creators nearly ten full weeks to focus purely on writing, world-building, and refining their craft.
Gunjan Soni, Managing Director – India at YouTube, highlighted the transformative nature of this technology, stating that generative AI fundamentally removes production bottlenecks. She noted that the partnership demonstrates what happens when "fearless Indian storytelling meets frontier technology to produce world-class cinema on an independent scale."
The Human Element at the Centre
Despite the heavy reliance on advanced algorithms, the programme emphasizes that technology serves the artist, not the other way around. Ninad Raikar, COO of IICT, addressed the common fear of automation, noting that the goal was never to replace creativity but to expand what is possible. He asserted that AI is most powerful when the filmmaker remains "firmly at the centre of the storytelling process."
Dr. Vishwas Deoskar, CEO of IICT, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that India is perfectly positioned to lead the next chapter of filmmaking. "The scope is very big," he remarked. "Technology is evolving at a very rapid pace, and creativity has to evolve alongside it. That merger between technology and creativity is extremely important."
About IICT
The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) serves as India’s National Centre of Excellence for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR). It was established through a collaboration involving the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, the Government of India, the Government of Maharashtra, FICCI, and CII.