Sean Baker, director of the acclaimed 2012 drama Starlet and recent Oscar contender Anora, is lending his voice to the No-AI Credo 23 Film Festival, which begins March 27 at the American Legion, Post 43 in Hollywood. With the increasing adoption of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) in filmmaking, Baker’s involvement spotlights the festival’s mission to promote creativity rooted in human experience and skill.
At the event, Baker will showcase Starlet, highlighting not only the film’s narrative but also the tangible, handcrafted methods behind its production, emphasizing the irreplaceable role of human creativity in modern cinema.
Festival Lineup Features Renowned Directors Opposed to AI in Filmmaking
Joining Sean Baker in the festival’s program are celebrated figures such as Gus Van Sant and Matthew Weiner, who will engage in discussions about their past works and the evolving challenges AI poses to the entertainment industry. These filmmakers represent a growing grassroots movement actively questioning the unchecked integration of AI, rather than merely issuing public statements.
Justine Bateman, the festival’s founder, explained the intent is to provide filmmakers with alternatives, offering guidance on creating impactful work without reliance on AI technology. As she told The Hollywood Reporter,
“I love when people who are really intelligent about something love to talk about it,”
she said.
“This way, it’s like ‘you have no reason [as a filmmaker] to use AI. We’ll tell you how to do it.’”
Sponsors Support Human-Focused Filmmaking and Craftsmanship
This second edition of Credo 23 has attracted various sponsors dedicated to preserving human-led creative processes, including Kodak, theatrical distributor Fathom, Tablet Magazine, The Teamsters, and Custom Sync Slates, which advocates for physical production practices. The festival’s program will highlight films characterized by significant handmade craftsmanship, reinforcing its core philosophy.
All profits generated will be pooled and distributed to filmmakers, underscoring the festival’s community-driven approach.
Festival Originates From Concern Over AI’s Influence On Emerging Talent
Bateman conceived Credo 23 after noticing a troubling industry trend where many new filmmakers’ work seemed more like auditions for content direction rather than innovative storytelling. She expressed concern about AI’s emerging footprint in the creative process, referencing deals such as Google’s $2 million funding for AI education at Sundance Institute. She remarked,
“I just went ‘where are the new filmmakers going to come from who have new ideas that aren’t just making films that are auditions to direct content?’
and added,
“My programmers and I will look at a submission sometimes and say ‘check this out, this is such a fresh way to look at something’ and then we realize it’s a world premiere! Other festivals wouldn’t take it. And it’s like, ‘are we being punked?’ I just wanted to give a place to filmmakers like that.”
Festival Aligns With Industry-Wide Struggles Against AI Expansion
The launch of Credo 23 coincided with ongoing writers and actors strikes, both of which prominently addressed concerns about AI’s role in entertainment labor. Bateman’s organization certifies films that avoid using Generative AI with the Credo 23 seal. The festival is viewed as a precursor to Daniel Kwan’s Creators Coalition on AI, focusing on protecting artist-driven creativity as AI tools permeate Hollywood.
Amid a surge in AI-driven content, from Seedance videos featuring celebrities to partnerships like Disney’s deal with OpenAI for the Sora platform, the festival arrives at a critical moment in Hollywood’s technological evolution.
Diverse Council Members Advocate for Preserving Artistic Integrity
Credo 23’s advisory council now counts notable members such as director-director of photography Reed Morano, actress Juliette Lewis, costume designer Arianne Phillips, alongside Bateman and Weiner. Bateman emphasized the importance of scrutinizing how technology should be balanced in creative fields. She stated,
“Technology is a component. The problem is it overruns everything,”
adding,
“I like salt but I don’t put it on everything I eat. And on my car. And on my furniture.”
She concluded,
“We can’t allow ourselves to jump the shark like this.”
The Festival’s Role in Shaping Hollywood’s Future Creative Landscape
As the entertainment industry grapples with the rapid integration of generative AI, Sean Baker’s participation in the No-AI Credo 23 Film Festival underlines a growing desire among filmmakers to preserve human artistry and labor in cinema. The event not only creates a platform for anti-AI filmmakers but also encourages dialogue on how to sustain originality and craftsmanship in storytelling.
With increasing public attention and industry pressure, initiatives like this festival may influence how Hollywood balances the benefits of technology with maintaining genuine human creativity in its productions.
