CANNES: The Cannes Film Festival opened Tuesday in France with global filmmakers gathering under growing industry concerns over artificial intelligence and the limited participation of major Hollywood studios.
A total of 22 films entered the main competition for the prestigious Palme dโOr award. Last year, Iranian director Jafar Panahi won the prize for โIt Was Just an Accident,โ a politically charged production that drew international attention.
However, discussions surrounding artificial intelligence dominated early festival conversations. Cannes director Thierry Fremaux strongly criticized the rapid expansion of AI technologies within filmmaking, warning that writers, actors, translators, and dubbing artists increasingly fear job losses and declining creative protections.
Speaking during a news conference, Fremaux emphasized support for artists and creative professionals. He also suggested that future films could carry labels identifying productions made without artificial intelligence, similar to certifications used for organic products.
Meanwhile, the festival announced a multi-year sponsorship agreement with Meta, despite ongoing industry concerns about AI involvement in entertainment projects. The issue gained further attention after director Steven Soderbergh used AI-generated footage of John Lennon and Yoko Ono in an upcoming documentary.
Industry debate over artificial intelligence intensified following the 2023 Hollywood strikes, when actors and writers warned that unchecked AI technology threatened livelihoods across the sector.
At the same time, Cannes organizers acknowledged the absence of major Hollywood studios including Disney, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros. from this yearโs festival lineup.
Nevertheless, several high-profile stars will attend screenings and red-carpet events, including Vin Diesel and John Travolta.
