An AI-generated short film titled "Thanksgiving Day" won the inaugural Frame Forward AI Animated Film Festival. The prize included a planned national two-week theatrical run before feature presentations, managed by Screenvision Media, a third-party company handling pre-show advertising for multiple cinema chains.
Social Media Criticism Leads to AMC Withdrawal
Upon news of the screening, social media users criticized AMC Theatres, among others, for potentially embracing AI content. AMC Theatres subsequently issued a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, clarifying that the content initiative was from Screenvision Media and ran in fewer than 30% of AMC's U.S. locations.
AMC stated it was not involved in the content's creation and informed Screenvision that AMC locations would not participate in screening the film.
Uncertain Theatrical Future, New Venues Explored
It is currently unknown if other theatrical chains will screen the short. Screenvision Media had no immediate comment.
Joel Roodman, president and studio head of Modern Uprising Studios (MUS) and co-organizer of the festival, stated that the national theatrical run was an initial prize exposure. He added that the film would be adapted for Celeste's Massive Immersive theatrical venues, with the first planned for New York within the year.
Context: AI Films in Theaters
AI content has previously been screened in theaters, such as a collection of AI shorts from Runway’s 2025 AI Film Festival shown in 10 IMAX theaters. However, "Thanksgiving Day" would have been one of the first narrative AI films to receive nationwide exposure in cinemas.
About "Thanksgiving Day"
"Thanksgiving Day" follows a bear and a platypus assistant traveling through the galaxy. Kazakhstani filmmaker Igor Alferov used AI tools including Gemini 3.1 and Nano Banana Pro to create the film.