Netflix has acquired InterPositive, the AI filmmaking startup founded by actor and director Ben Affleck, the company confirmed from Washington. The deal, finalized this month, secures advanced AI tools designed to assist filmmakers during production and postproduction processes, with the InterPositive team now integrating into Netflix’s workforce.
Details of the Acquisition and Technology Integration
Based in Los Angeles, InterPositive developed artificial intelligence software aimed at supporting filmmakers by using footage from their own projects to build AI models. This technology helps optimize various aspects of film production, such as adjusting lighting or refining shots without needing to reshoot scenes. The entire 16-member team will join Netflix, and Affleck will take on a senior adviser role within the streaming service. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
In a video shared alongside the announcement, Affleck explained how the AI tools operate.
“You can use your own model to remove the wires on stunts, reframe a shot, get a shot you missed, shape the lighting, enhance the backgrounds,”
he said. He emphasized that the technology is designed to aid creators rather than replace traditional filmmaking methods.
“It’s not about text-prompting or generating something from nothing,”
Affleck added.
“AI, people mostly think of it as making something from nothing: ‘I’m gonna type something into a computer and it’s gonna give me a movie.’ That’s not what this is.”
Netflix’s Approach to AI and Creative Collaboration
Netflix executives underlined that the acquisition matches the company’s philosophy of employing AI to support, not supplant, creative professionals. Elizabeth Stone, Netflix’s chief product and technology officer, highlighted this alignment:
“Our approach to AI has always been focused on meaningfully serving the needs of the creative community and our members.”
She continued,
“The InterPositive team is joining Netflix because of our shared belief that innovation should empower storytellers, not replace them.”
The streaming service indicated that while it plans to deploy these tools for its creative partners, it does not intend to commercialize the technology beyond its ecosystem. Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, reinforced the company’s stance on innovation expanding creative freedom, stating,
“We believe new tools should expand creative freedom, not constrain it or replace the work of writers, directors, actors and crews.”
Bajaria also acknowledged Affleck’s role in advancing creative innovation:
“Ben and his team at InterPositive are part of a long tradition in our industry of artists leading the way in how innovation is used in storytelling. Their work is about giving filmmakers more choices, more control and more protection for their vision.”
Current and Future Partnerships Involving Ben Affleck
This acquisition follows recent collaborative efforts between Netflix and Ben Affleck. Earlier this week, Affleck and Matt Damon’s production company, Artists Equity, signed a multi-year deal with Netflix to develop and distribute forthcoming streaming projects. This partnership signals ongoing cooperation aimed at strengthening Netflix’s creative offerings through both innovative technology and established filmmaking talent.
