UPDATE: The Ventana Sur tech strand in Buenos Aires has launched a groundbreaking initiative this week, tackling the pressing question: “What matters more – the job or the work?” This urgent dialogue comes as the film, television, gaming, and vertical shorts industries grapple with the transformative power of AI in content creation.
The event, running from December 4 to December 8, 2023, is packed with panels, keynotes, screenings of AI-generated content, and workshops aimed at shaping the future of the audiovisual sector. It features a core component titled ‘Humans + AI: In Motion’, showcasing 10 unique works that highlight human-AI collaborations, selected from 30 submissions across Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Uruguay.
Juan Marcos Melo, head of VS Tech and co-curator of the showcase alongside Samira Sufan, emphasized, “What we wanted to prioritize wasn’t the typical replacement of actors through AI. It was about amplifying a fully human story through an AI tool.” His vision suggests a future where AI serves as an ally rather than an adversary to human creatives.
As discussions unfold, it becomes clear that the narrative surrounding AI’s role in the workforce is evolving. Melo believes that fears about AI taking over human roles—like actors and animators—will eventually subside, paving the way for a symbiotic relationship between technology and creativity. “We can’t demonize a tool that a tech company develops legally,” he added.
Among the standout presentations is a poignant piece from Argentina, directed by Nicolás Couvin. His five-minute short revisits the tragic 1982 conflict between Argentina and the UK, in which 649 Argentines and 255 Britons lost their lives. The film, crafted entirely from wartime photographs and transformed into moving images using AI tools like Runway ML and Kling, encapsulates a deeply human story. Couvin noted, “AI is already reshaping production. Its upside is democratizing,” allowing anyone with an idea to create compelling content at low cost.
In stark contrast, the existential dark comedy from Uruguay, directed by Yves Fogel, presents a lonely ghost seeking companionship in a barren tundra. Completed in just 48 hours by an eight-person team, this short serves as proof of concept for a potential series, employing AI video, audio, and dubbing generators. Fogel remarked, “The next big impact on traditional storytelling will be in pre-visualization,” predicting that rapid script visualization will lead to improved creative results.
Another compelling entry comes from Brazil’s Cristiano de Oliveira Sousa, who used the Wan video generator to tell a story of personal healing through AI. His short reflects on childhood trauma and the transformative power of technology in storytelling. Sousa expressed, “AI is now emerging as a category of its own in film festivals,” showcasing its vast narrative potential.
As Ventana Sur Tech continues its engaging lineup, Melo confirmed that the section will embrace “any human story produced with artistic ambition and narrative solidity, using AI at some stage of the creative process.” He acknowledges the ongoing heated debate surrounding AI’s role, stating, “It’s something that is here to stay,” with major media groups and streaming platforms set to implement these technologies in 2024.
With AI’s influence surging in the audiovisual landscape, creators and industry leaders are urged to consider the implications for jobs and storytelling. As the festival progresses, audiences and participants alike are left to ponder the fundamental question: in the world of filmmaking, what ultimately matters more—the job or the work?
As these developments unfold, the future of storytelling in the age of AI promises to be both challenging and exciting, compelling stakeholders to engage deeply with the technology shaping their craft.
