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Filmmakers without big budgets are turning to artificial intelligence to realize scenes they could never afford to shoot, and a two-day festival in Ayvalik showcased the results this weekend.
The Ayvalik National Artificial Intelligence Film Festival screened 65 AI-assisted works by Turkish creators on Oct. 16-17 at the Aren Art Workshop. The event was held in Ayvalik, a historic town in Türkiye’s western Balikesir province.
Festival Director Tarkan Kaynar said the technology is beginning to reshape traditional film production, with the greatest benefit going to independent directors with limited funds. Scenes that once required large crews and high budgets can now be created digitally, he said.
"People without a budget will also be able to make the film of their dreams," Kaynar said ahead of the event.
Kaynar acknowledged the technology is raising questions about the future of work in the industry. Directors with original ideas will remain essential, he said, but AI is increasingly used in cinematography, lighting design, production and art direction. It can also handle editing and other parts of the filmmaking process, which raises new questions about the role of the director.
He cautioned against viewing AI as merely a shortcut for churning out content. The technology is mostly used for short films today, he said, but he expects it to play a bigger role in feature-length movies soon.
The lineup was chosen through a review process led by Erkan Ceylan of the Izmir Artificial Intelligence Film Platform. Organizers said they weighed artistic merit and the effort behind each work, not just the use of the technology. The program included award-winning productions and a selection of music videos.
Kaynar said content made mainly to gain views on social media, without artistic depth, was left out.
Kaynar described this year’s event as a kind of "film days" preview. He said organizers plan to expand it into a weeklong festival in 2027.
He added that Ayvalik is well suited to hosting such events in the fall, when the summer tourist crowds have thinned and the weather is mild. He cited the town’s transport links and tourism infrastructure as further advantages, and noted that many AI-focused events are being held across Türkiye this month.
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