The films that OMNI showcases represent real filmmakers applying craft, editing, skill and time into exploring new generative tools and their ability to convey stories - including talented known and unknown filmmakers from around the world.

There is a common misconception that these films are made fully by a computer, that a button is pressed and a finished film emerges. It’s wonderful that Human taste, composition and editorial skill are still fully in the hands of filmmakers. Many of our award winners come from VFX, film and particularly video editing backgrounds.

Over the past decades, traditional film celluloid has transitioned- from a chemical analogue into a fully digital process; practical, physical effects have evolved into modern VFX and mocap.  The craft and tools change to tell new stories. While all of these mediums still exist - filmmaking has always evolved, and we are curious at OMNI. We are looking to discover how this could be another chapter in ways moving image is being shared. Studios and creators in Australia, Bollywood and LA are already using AI tools, from independents through to industry legends like Alex Proyas, Darren Aronofsky, James Cameron and George Miller.

George Miller who led the judging panel for the most recent edition of OMNI was interviewed by the Guardian in October and in his words, described the accessible nature of this technology: "It will make screen storytelling available to anyone who has a calling to it”.

The team at OMNI, judges, panelists and volunteers - love the cinema and we know the cinema industry is challenged by audiences increasingly choosing to view on smaller screens. Our program is not online. The OMNI Film Festival insists on viewings only in-person, in-cinema spaces. Screenings in order for us all: filmmakers, technologists, artists, creators and especially the Audiences - the film going public to come together and collectively witness and discuss. The coming together to socially process what we are seeing both in media and on the screen - and what this rapid shift in technology means. For us, questions around the filmmaking process and the interests of viewing audiences, questions of value, authenticity, craft and humanity are core to our programming. We actively program in expert discourse at the end of each screening to help contextualize and process what has been shown on the screen and what it may mean.

We are champions of cinema and artistic voices - Australian and International creators and makers that are using emerging tools to surface and share new stories from new voices on the edge. The wave of Generative AI technology is changing the nature of truth and the moving image and we seek to engage with the dialogue.

Thank you for being curious with us-
OMNI TEAM,