AMC Theaters has canceled its screening of “Thanksgiving Day,” an AI-generated short that won a film festival contest whose prize included showing the winning film in theaters across the United States.
Earlier this week, the inaugural Frame Forward AI Animation Film Festival announced that winning projects will be screened in theaters nationwide for two weeks. The festival was hosted by Screenvision Media, an advertising company that offers 20-minute pre-screening engagements that take place before feature screenings at major theater chains including select AMC locations, Classic Cinemas and TCL Chinese Theaters. However, the exhibitor does not appear to be involved in the terms and conditions of the Frame Forward contest.
“This content is an initiative of ScreenVision Media, which manages pre-show advertising for multiple U.S. movie theater chains and is implemented in less than 30% of AMC’s U.S. locations,” an AMC spokesperson said in a statement. “AMC is not involved in the creation or effort of the content, and AMC locations have notified Screen Vision that they will not be participating.”
Created by Igor Alferov, “Thanksgiving Day” used AI software such as Gemini 3.1 and Nano Banana Pro to create an intergalactic story about a bear and his platypus assistant who encounter all kinds of characters on their journey through the galaxy.
AI has been a widely researched topic as Hollywood grapples with the opportunities and consequences of using AI tools in film and television production. In Variety and CNN’s recent town hall conversation with Matthew McConaughey and Timothée Chalamet, the two biggest stars talked about the need for the entertainment industry to prepare for the rise of AI.
“It’s coming. It’s already there. Don’t deny it,” McConaughey said. “It’s not enough to just stand by and morally say, ‘No, this is wrong.’ That won’t last. There’s too much money to be made, too much productivity. So I say, ‘Be yourself.’ voice, appearance, etc. Please trademark it. Whatever you have to do, do it and no one can steal you. ”
Chalamet said that although he is bracing for potential damage, he believes businesses will find a healthy way to embrace rapidly evolving technology.
“I will fiercely protect the actors and artists in this industry,” Chalamet said. “And likewise, whatever the tide is, it will come.”
