Tribeca and OpenAI Launch Groundbreaking AI Filmmaking Program Ahead of 2026 Festival
Tribeca Studios
By Jonathan P. Moustakas | The Cinema Group
In an unprecedented collaboration that merges emerging technology with cinematic storytelling, Tribeca Studios has officially partnered with OpenAI to launch a year-long program that will fund and support filmmakers creating live-action short films using AI tools. The resulting projects are slated to premiere at the 2026 Tribeca Festival, accompanied by a high-profile discussion on the evolving role of AI in filmmaking.
This new initiative marks a significant step forward in how mainstream institutions are embracing artificial intelligence not as a disruptor, but as a co-pilot in the creative process. Two filmmakers will be selected for the inaugural cohort, receiving access to OpenAI’s suite of tools, including those powered by Sora, along with financial backing, technical training, and mentorship from Tribeca Studios.
“At Tribeca, storytelling is at the heart of everything we do — and innovation is key to its future,” said Jane Rosenthal, co-founder and CEO of Tribeca Enterprises. “Partnering with OpenAI allows us to be at the forefront of a new creative frontier, where AI is not a replacement, but another powerful tool in a filmmaker’s toolkit.”
This isn’t Tribeca’s first foray into AI-assisted filmmaking. Last year, the festival introduced Sora Shorts, a bold program that invited five creators to experiment with OpenAI’s text-to-video model Sora. Notably, those projects were developed in compliance with existing industry standards, including guidelines from the Screen Actors Guild, Writers Guild, and Directors Guild, setting a clear precedent for ethical and union-aligned use of generative AI in film.
Now, with this expanded partnership, Tribeca is formalizing a pipeline for AI-native creators who want to innovate within the live-action space — offering them the rare opportunity to develop, produce, and premiere their work on one of the world’s most respected festival platforms.
“Filmmakers have always pushed the boundaries of storytelling, and this program is about supporting that spirit with tools to enhance traditional filmmaking pipelines,” said Brad Lightcap, Chief Operating Officer of OpenAI. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with Tribeca to help bring new ideas to life using OpenAI tools.”
Although submission guidelines and dates have yet to be released, the announcement signals a larger shift in how major festivals are preparing for a future in which generative tools like Sora, ChatGPT, and DALL·E are seamlessly integrated into production workflows. Rather than view AI as a threat to creativity, Tribeca is positioning itself as a sandbox for innovation — one that welcomes forward-thinking filmmakers with open arms.
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The program also raises key questions about authorship, originality, and how stories are shaped in a post-generative world. But if Tribeca’s track record is any indication, those questions will be explored with the rigor, nuance, and cinematic vision the festival is known for.
As AI continues to evolve at lightning speed, this move signals Tribeca’s intent to remain at the bleeding edge of not just the conversation — but the creation.
