Hi, this is Izumitani from the Ehime Film Commission (Ehime FC).
During BIFFCOM, various seminars occurred from morning to evening at different venues. The event schedule provides a good sense of current and emerging film and content industry trends.
Curious about the latest trends, I scanned the schedule and noticed that one venue was hosting back-to-back sessions all day on “AI’s Impact on the Content Industry”—focusing on the technological innovations AI is bringing to film production.
The Role of AI in Film Production
I decided to attend sessions that mainly featured case studies. It was fascinating to see how companies integrating AI into film production had been experimenting for years before achieving accurate results. Their presentations were filled with confidence, showing that success didn’t happen overnight—they kept refining their approach through trial and error.
One key takeaway is that persistence is everything. Even when things don’t work immediately, those who keep going steadily build experience and expertise.
A Future Where AI Produces Films?
Then, an interesting conversation broke out among attendees:
“It might sound like a joke, but in a few years, movies might be made entirely by a director, a producer, and an engineer.”
“You think so?”
“Of course! AI can handle filming (or rendering), editing, and even music composition.”
“Not to mention, AI actors (synthetic actors) are already emerging.”
“If a director also has production skills, they could create an entire movie solo.”
“Short films and indie productions will probably go that way first.”
“So then… what about film commissions?”
“Exactly! FCs will need a strategy—like being skilled in production and project coordination.”
“And we’ll need to focus on human resource development too.”
Beyond Technology-The Core Skills That Matter
This discussion made me realize something: Chasing technology alone is a never-ending race.
No matter how advanced tools become, technology alone won’t make up for it if you lack core creative skills—like storytelling, writing, and communication.
And conversations like this just don’t happen in online meetings.
When talking with film commission representatives from other countries, they often bring up perspectives and ideas that we wouldn’t naturally consider in Japan. These kinds of in-person exchanges are invaluable for gaining new insights.
As the industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that film commissions, too, need to adapt and redefine their roles.