Runway Launches $5 Million Fund for AI-Generated Films

Runway earmarks $5M to fund up to 100 films using AI-generated video

AI video generators need to believe that filmmakers will use their models in the production process. Otherwise why exist? To jump start the new AI film ecosystem, Runway has set aside $5 million in cash and more in service credits to fund up to 100 original films. If you're an AI-curious director, now's your chance to get a little backing. Runway's Hundred Film Fund is intended to help kick start any video-based project that uses the company's generative video model in some way. "Traditional funding mechanisms often overlook new and emerging visions within the larger industry ecosystem," the company wrote in a blog post. Specifically, Runway is dedicating $5 million of its own money to award as grants to filmmakers creating "features, shorts, documentaries, experimental projects, music videos" or some as-yet-unknown format. The awards would also come with up to $2 million in Runway credits. The announcement post does say that the cash side has "the potential to grow to $10M." I asked what this means, and Runway Head of Creative Jamie Umpherson said they want to be "as flexible as possible in how we're approaching the scope of this fund. We are starting with one hundred films but we hope to do more over time." As for how $5 million can be equitably and effectively divided 100 ways, when up to $1 million grants are being dangled as possibilities, Umpherson evaded, simply saying that "each project will be assessed on its own particular production needs when it comes to grant considerations." (You can read the fine print and apply here.) If you've got some clout, you might want to gun for one of five "director residency" positions. It's unclear what the requirements or benefits are here, but it can't hurt to try. The good news is that Runway will not itself assert any form of ownership or control over the projects, only requiring that awardees send biweekly production updates and that Runway is allowed to showcase the final result as it sees fit. They will have advisors, like Tribeca film festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal, and will.i.am, who will help select the awardees and maybe even offer some extra support. The film fund does have an air of "please use our product," though there's truth to the assertion that newer, experimental tools are sometimes shunned by more traditional production companies. Sometimes it really does just take a little cash infusion to find that one breakthrough use of a technology, by someone who might not have been able to find funding otherwise. There is also a legitimate worry that the results will be very uneven. As industry veteran Michael Black put it recently in a discussion of AI tools in filmmaking: "You can give somebody a powerful car, that doesn't make them a Formula One driver, right? That's a little bit like what we have now. Maybe some new voice will have an opportunity that they wouldn't otherwise. But the number of people making really good films is still going to be small." In light of that, it is perhaps actually the wisest move to cast the net widely and fund as many as possible. "Spray and pray" is an unkind way to put it, but fundamentally accurate: the hope is that among the 100 films, at least one or two will show that AI-generated video is actually useful and perhaps even groundbreaking. No doubt some filmmakers will take the shot just to put a couple bucks in the bank, and find a way to fob off Runway with a dream sequence or the like. But if a few dozen creators take the money and take the tech seriously, that's probably a win in the startup's books.

Runway bets big on AI with $5 million fund for experimental films

AI-powered video tools company Runway has a daring calling for movie makers to integrate the use of AI at the set. 100 original films have been promised funding through the Hundred Film Fund, including $5 million in cash grants and up to $2 million in service credit. This is a clear signal that AI video generators, like Runway, need filmmakers to experiment with their models for the technology to thrive in the industry. Runway's initiative is aimed at filling a gap in traditional film funding, which often overlooks experimental projects. Their new fund is offering support to a wide range of formats, including features, shorts, documentaries, music videos, and more. As noted in the company's announcement, they're particularly interested in backing directors who are curious about AI but might not otherwise receive traditional financial support. With the promise of up to $1 million per project, the fund offers significant backing. However, Runway's Head of Creative, Jamie Umpherson, clarified that each project's financial needs will be assessed individually. The company is keeping flexibility at the forefront, allowing the fund to grow to $10 million if necessary, depending on the level of interest and quality of projects. For directors intrigued by AI but hesitant due to the novelty of the tools, this fund represents an unprecedented opportunity. It offers them the chance to experiment with generative video models and create something groundbreaking. In a field where traditional production houses are often slow to adopt new technologies, Runway's support could provide the necessary push for AI to find its place in filmmaking. Beyond just funding, Runway is offering five special "director residency" positions, though details on these roles remain vague. The residency is likely an effort to spotlight directors who show promise in using AI to enhance storytelling, potentially offering more than just financial backing but creative mentorship as well. Best AI movies to watch for the weekend Runway's move feels partly like a plea for filmmakers to adopt their product, but there's logic in backing experimental ideas. Having access to powerful AI tools doesn't automatically make someone a great filmmaker. However, giving creators the resources to experiment might bring unexpected breakthroughs. Out of the 100 funded projects, Runway hopes a few will prove the real value of AI-generated video, potentially demonstrating how the technology can enhance storytelling in ways previously unimagined. With giant partners like Lionsgate, Runway is pulling out all the stops to make sure these projects have support from experienced voices. The real test, however, will be whether filmmakers can use AI effectively enough to create meaningful work. Some may see it as an easy way to secure funding, but for others, this fund might be the key to pioneering a new era in filmmaking. In the end, the Hundred Film Fund is a bold experiment. While it's uncertain how many filmmakers will truly embrace AI, it only takes one or two breakthrough projects to shift the perception of AI in the film industry.

Runway Announces $5 Million Fund For Filmmakers That Use Its AI Video Generator

Runway has allocated $5 million in cash to help fund up to 100 original films that use the company's AI video generator in some way. According to a report by TechCrunch, Runway has set aside $5 million of its own money to award as grants to filmmakers in a bit to jump-start the AI film. In a blog post on Thursday, Runway announced the "The Hundred Film Fund" which is designed to support the launch of any video-based project that incorporates the company's AI generative video model in some capacity. Runway is dedicating the $5 million fund to filmmakers creating "features, shorts, documentaries, experimental projects, music videos," or some as-yet-unknown format. The awards could also come with Runway credits. At present, Runway says that the fund sits at $5 million with the potential to grow to $10 million. Applications are now open and grants range from $5,000 to $1 million with an additional $2 million in Runway credits to be awarded. Runway describes "The Hundred Film Fund" as an effort to help filmmakers who make use of AI to tell their stories. "We believe that the best stories are yet to be told, but that traditional funding mechanisms often overlook new and emerging visions within the larger industry ecosystem," the company writes in the blog post. Runway Head of Creative Jamie Umpherson tells TechCrunch that the company wants to be "as flexible as possible in how we're approaching the scope of this fund" and that "each project will be assessed on its own particular production needs when it comes to grant considerations." The publication reports that Runway will itself assert any form of ownership or control over the projects, only requiring that awardees send biweekly production updates and that the AI video company is allowed to showcase the final result as it sees fit. Runway's announcement of the fund comes as the AI video company tries to make inroads with the film industry. Earlier this month, Runwway announced a partnership with Lionsgate that will see a custom video model trained on the Hollywood studio's extensive catalog. Nonetheless, AI technology is still considered highly controversial by many filmmakers and movie fans alike. Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom signing two bills into law that will protect actors and performers from unauthorized AI clones. The laws aim to protect actors from AI replicas of their likeness or voice being used without their consent.

After Inking Studio Deal, Tech Firm Says It Will Fund Moviemakers If They Use Its AI Tools

The artificial intelligence company that inked a notable partnership with Lionsgate to train its AI model on the studio's massive 18,000-title movie and TV library is now looking to encourage the use of the emerging tech with a fund for indie filmmakers. Runway, led by CEO Cristóbal Valenzuela, unveiled The Hundred Film Fund, which it says will provide grants ranging from $5,000 up to $1 million in order to hasten the production of movies powered by artificial intelligence. The fund will have an advisory panel that includes Tribeca Festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal, Television Academy emerging media exec Lee Storm, Company 3 founder Stefan Sonnenfeld, NVIDIA exec Richard Kerris and artist will.i.am. In order to be considered for a grant, "You must use the grant to work on AI-powered films (leveraging Runway prominently within the project)," the fund's FAQ page reads. Runway, which counts Google, NVIDIA and Salesforce Ventures among investors, unveiled its deal with Lionsgate on Sept. 18, in which the studio will grant the company access to its library (home to the John Wick, Hunger Games, Twilight and Saw franchises). The pact marks the first publicly announced such deal with a major studio and a large AI firm, as a heated debate plays out in court and in boardrooms over the mining of film, TV, writing and art for AI models. While major media brands (Condé Nast, News Corp, Vox Media, The Atlantic and more) have made deals with AI companies that allows the publisher's writing to be used in training data, there hasn't been similar pacts by Hollywood studios announced. "The history of art is the history of technology and these new models are part of our continuous efforts to build transformative mediums for artistic and creative expression," Valenzuela stated in announcing the Lionsgate deal. "The best stories are yet to be told."