The film industry is at a critical juncture as discussions around artificial intelligence intensify. At Cannes Next, a key event within the Marché du Film – Festival de Cannes, Eros Innovation gathered over 200 leaders from studios, sovereign funds, and technology firms to explore the future of film financing through the lens of sovereign AI and AI-native storytelling. The event, held on 14 May 2026, served as both a platform for dialogue and a showcase for innovative ideas in film production.
Kishore Lulla, Founder of Eros Innovation, led the discussions and highlighted the need to integrate AI with cultural identity. “We came to Cannes not to talk about what AI is doing to the entertainment industry, but to show what happens when AI is built from inside culture rather than on top of it,” he stated. This perspective emphasizes that AI can enhance creativity rather than diminish it, a belief that resonates in a field driven by innovation.
A focal point of the event was the introduction of Large Cultural Models (LCMs), a sovereign AI initiative launched by Eros Innovation at the IndiaAI Summit. These models, trained on 1.5 trillion rights-cleared cultural tokens, aim to establish a new AI-native culture, with the global launch of Eros Universe set for June 2026. This initiative seeks to foster ethical AI development that prioritizes creator rights and cultural integrity.
Sovereign AI vs. Platform AI
The first panel, titled "Sovereign AI vs Platform AI – Who Owns Culture?", examined the implications of developing sovereign AI systems independent of existing US and Chinese platform ecosystems. Moderated by Anssi Komulainen of the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, the panel included industry leaders such as Paul Trillo from Asteria Films, Alex Serdiuk of Respeecher, and Ridhima Lulla of Eros Innovation. Key topics included AI-native filmmaking, governance frameworks, and the protection of creator identities in an increasingly digital landscape.
The Shift to AI-Native Storytelling
The second segment focused on the evolution of storytelling. In the panel titled "AI-Native Storytelling – Not Assisted, Not Enhanced, Native," participants explored the transition from traditional filmmaking processes to those intrinsically linked to AI. Moderated by Mikael Windelin, this session featured insights from Christina Caspers-Röhmer of Trixter and Shin Chul of BIFAN, who discussed the emergence of AI-native character systems and new visual effects workflows that leverage AI’s capabilities.
Rethinking Film Financing
The concluding panel, "The Future of Film Financing in the AI Era," addressed how AI is reshaping financing models within the film industry. Moderated by Piyush Bhatia of Eros Innovation, the discussion featured Marc Iserlis of Republic and filmmaker Miguel Faus, known for his blockchain-crowdfunded film, Calladita. The conversation focused on how AI can drive cost efficiencies and create innovative funding structures, transforming traditional ownership models in filmmaking.
As the event concluded, it became evident that Eros Innovation's gathering at Cannes Next was more than just a discussion about AI's impact on the entertainment sector. It represented a significant step toward establishing a new paradigm for film production and financing, rooted in cultural intelligence and ethical considerations. The industry appears poised for a transformation that could redefine storytelling and the financial frameworks that support it.
In the months leading up to the launch of Eros Universe, the integration of AI within the creative process is expected to create opportunities for filmmakers and investors alike, potentially leading to a more inclusive and diverse cinematic landscape.
