AI-generated film at Tropfest 2026 sparks filmmaker backlash

Filmmakers have slammed the selection of an AI-generated movie as a finalist at the Tropfest short film festival, with a former winner describing it as a "slap in the face".

Among the 16 finalists was a film called SYD CONFIDENTIAL, an animated noir which was completely made with generative AI.

Director Greta Nash, who won the festival's top prize in 2018 said she found the film's selection insulting to the other 700 entries.

"Tropfest has effectively told them that their work and their passion is valued less to them than what, I guess, an algorithm can put together," Ms Nash said.

"The only reason that [generative AI] is possible is because it is scraping and harvesting from real human made art."

Melbourne-based director Finnian Williamson, whose film was shortlisted at this year's event, says completely AI generated films should be in their own category.

"It's not like you're competing with an animated film which someone has animated themselves," Mr Williamson said.

"I would've been much more upset if I was an animator."

Tropfest a rare opportunity for budding filmmakers

Tropfest recently returned after a seven year absence, with the event taking place on February 22 at Centennial Park in Sydney's east.

Ms Nash said the festival, which has a winning prize of $50,000, is one of a few opportunities aspiring filmmakers get in Australian to have their breakout moment.

"There's a lot of publicity attached to it and also the prizes are really life-changing," Ms Nash said.

"Not only did it connect me with people who were able to give me work in the industry but it also provided me financially with enough money to pursue filmmaking full-time."

AI films permitted

Tropfest founder and director John Polson said the film SYD CONFIDENTIAL complied with the rules, which allows for AI to be used in entries.

Mr Polson said there was no notable concern from the community when the rules permitting AI were made public in November last year.

"Tropfest has a 30-year history of supporting artists, and we take the current feedback — indeed any feedback — from the filmmaking community seriously as we look toward the future."

AI a 'steam train' coming at the film industry

Film scholar Adam Daniel at Western Sydney University says he expected a negative reaction to the presence of a generative AI film at the festival. 

"I feel like a lot of people are seeing AI as a shortcut to creativity," Dr Daniel said.

Dr Daniel also says the industry has been avoiding questions about compensating the work that AI models have been using to learn how to generate content. 

However, he says it would be short-sighted for creatives to dismiss the future of AI in film.

"It's a steam train that's coming down the train line towards us and we're all going to have to get on board in some sort of capacity," Dr Daniel said.

"If we want to have any control we have to embrace and take advantage of what the tools can offer, but without giving up that human perspective that's so important." 

Winner demonstrates value of human quality, director says

The competition was taken out by Sydney mother Lianne Mackessy with her film Crescendo, a film about a mum whose babysitting plans fall through on the morning of the audition of a career-defining role inspired by the return of Tropfest.

Ms Nash describes the winning film as "wonderfully human".

"That human quality is just what makes filmmaking so important and so powerful," Ms Nash said.

"When you take that away it leaves you wondering what the point is.

"I worry about what such a pro-AI stand says to young filmmakers who are trying to break into the industry."