Two entertainment companies are betting that artificial intelligence could help independent filmmakers compete with big studios in building expansive story worlds.
Goldfinch and The Squad have announced enGEN3, a co-owned platform that uses AI to help creators develop cinematic worlds while managing intellectual property rights and revenue sharing with fans. The venture aims to democratize tools typically available only to large studios, allowing filmmakers to expand their stories across multiple media formats.
“enGEN3 gives filmmakers studio-level tools to build their cinematic worlds with fan participation and seamlessly extend their stories to film, games, print and more,” said Jordan Bain, founder of The Squad and enGEN3.
The platform’s first project is “By Blood & By Bone,” a sci-fi animated feature pilot from author Dave Keebo. The film combines two Web3 anime collections (Ordinauts on Bitcoin and Oni Force on Ethereum) into what the company describes as a new model of community-driven storytelling.
“With By Blood & By Bone, we are creating an IP ownership and monetization model that benefits both creators and fans, while incorporating community storytelling into an epic animated series,” said Kebo.
Henry Finn, CEO of Oni Force, added, “This is the next chapter in storytelling: ownership and imagination shared by everyone.”
This venture leverages experienced technical and creative talent. CTO Doug Thompson previously held positions at gaming and AI companies such as Remedy and Sojen. Creative director HaZ Dulull oversaw Disney+ and contributed to video game projects such as Dune: Awakening and Fortnite. He runs the transmedia studio Beyond The Pixels.
enGEN3 is scheduled for full release in Q1 2026, with beta access starting sooner. Over the next year, the companies plan to leverage Goldfinch’s catalog of hundreds of funded works to roll out even more projects and tools.
“At Goldfinch, we support a bold vision for the future of entertainment,” said Phil McKenzie, co-founder of Goldfinch. “Jordan pioneered the Film3 model, and enGEN3 represents the next evolution in how creators and fans connect through both production and distribution.”
Goldfinch has supported over 300 projects since its founding in 2014 and has won Academy Awards and BAFTAs. The team focuses on projects that blend film with generative AI and Web3 technologies under something called the Film3 framework, which emphasizes creator ownership and audience participation in storytelling.
