Mumbai, June 16: During the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF), the Indian Documentary Producers Association hosted an open forum titled “Is AI the Future of Creativity?”
The session featured prominent speakers, including Sanat PC, co-founder of Firefly Creative Studio, Ujjwal Nirgudkar, president of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), attorney Hetal Desai Solia, and filmmaker Subodh Menon. They explored the opportunities, challenges, and impacts of artificial intelligence in film production and content creation.
The discussion focused on AI’s growing role in the creative ecosystem. Participants analyzed its effects on storytelling, film production processes, and the future of the film industry. They acknowledged AI’s transformative potential but emphasized that human creativity and emotional intelligence remain central to the art of storytelling.
Ujjwal Nirgudkar highlighted AI as the next natural phase in filmmaking, discussing its increasing role in post-production. This includes enhancements in sound quality, color correction, visual quality improvement, and film restoration. He noted that while AI tools are rapidly evolving, the industry will take time to standardize and widely adopt them.
Filmmaker Subodh Menon stressed that while AI can generate content and assist in brainstorming, the essence of storytelling remains fundamentally human. He described AI as a valuable tool for generating and validating new ideas. As this technology becomes more widely adopted, understanding AI will become crucial for filmmakers.
Sanat PC from Firefly Creative Studio remarked that AI can enhance the storytelling process by improving image quality, sound, and audience experience. He described the current era as experimental, encouraging creators to explore AI’s possibilities while using it as a supportive tool rather than relying solely on it.
Discussing the legal aspects of AI-generated content, attorney Hetal Desai Solia emphasized the importance of using licensed data and ensuring significant human involvement in creative works. She advised filmmakers to use AI to enhance rather than replace original content.
All panelists agreed that AI should be viewed not as a substitute for human creativity but as a complement and a powerful ally. They noted that AI can simplify production processes, increase efficiency, and expand creative possibilities, but the true essence of storytelling lies in human imagination, emotions, and artistic vision.
Following the discussion, an engaging dialogue session with the audience addressed various questions related to adopting AI, ethical concerns, copyright protection, and the future of creative industries.
The session concluded with a consensus that filmmakers should embrace technological changes while ensuring that human creativity remains at the heart of the storytelling process.
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