May 19-21, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Los Angeles, CA – May 20, 2025 – The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today that it is presenting “Framing the Future,” an exclusive three-day seminar series from May 19–21, 2025, that will explore storytelling and AI. The series is designed for AFI Conservatory Fellows, Faculty, and Staff, and will take place on the AFI Campus.

“Framing the Future” will feature visionary leaders at the forefront of storytelling and technology, including Prem Akkaraju (CEO, Stability AI), Rebecca Barkin (Co-Founder & CEO of Lamina1), Rob Bredow (SVP, Creative Innovation, Digital Production & Technology at Lucasfilm Ltd.), Moran Cerf (Neuroscientist and Professor, Columbia Business School), and Yelena Rachitsky (Head of Emerging Formats, Meta).

Through hands-on tools, emerging technologies and vital conversations, this in-depth workshop will explore the evolving role of technology in cinema – and how storytellers can preserve artistic integrity in an age of AI.

At the crossroads of storytelling and technology, the inaugural “Framing the Future” will empower AFI Fellows and Faculty—first and foremost, storytellers—with a deep understanding of the ethical responsibilities and creative potential of using AI,” said Susan Ruskin, Dean of the AFI Conservatory and Executive Vice President of the American Film Institute. “Our purpose is to introduce the next generation to AI literacy in order to empower them to navigate uncertainty and to be a part of the conversation.  We are excited to bring together these trailblazers who are shaping the future of storytelling and production through innovation.”

“Framing the Future” seminars will include:

May 19, 2025
The Storyteller Behind the Tech
Yelena Rachitsky, Head of Emerging Formats at Meta in conversation with AFI Dean Susan Ruskin

AI Tools for Film
Moran Cerf & Colleagues from Columbia Business School

May 20, 2025
The Future of Story
Rebecca Barkin, Co-Founder & CEO of Lamina1, in conversation with AFI Dean Susan Ruskin

Artist-Driven Innovation
Rob Bredow, SVP, Creative Innovation, Digital Production & Technology at Lucasfilm Ltd,. in conversation with AFI Dean Susan Ruskin

May 21, 2025
AI & Film: What’s Changing and What’s Not
Prem Akkaraju, CEO of Stability AI, in conversation with AFI Dean Susan Ruskin

About the American Film Institute (AFI)
The American Film Institute (AFI) is a nonprofit organization with a mandate to champion the moving image as an art form. Established in 1967, AFI launched the first comprehensive history of American film and sparked the movement for film preservation in the United States. In 1969, AFI opened the doors of the AFI Conservatory, a graduate-level program to train narrative filmmakers. The Conservatory, which counts Deniese Davis, Affonso Gonçalves, Susannah Grant, Matthew Libatique, David Lynch, Melina Matsoukas and Rachel Morrison as Alumni, is ranked as one of the top film schools in America. AFI’s enduring traditions include the AFI Life Achievement Award, which honors the masters for work that has stood the test of time; AFI AWARDS, which celebrates the creative ensembles of the most outstanding screen stories of the year; and scholarly efforts such as the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and the AFI Archive that preserve film history for future generations. AFI exhibition programs include AFI FEST Presented by Canva and year-round exhibition at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Maryland. AFI Movie Club is a destination for movie lovers from around the world to celebrate and engage with the art form every day. Other pioneering programs include workshops aimed at elevating emerging storytellers and technology, including AFI DWW+ and the AFI Cinematography Intensive Workshop. Read about all of these programs and more at AFI.com and follow us on social media at Facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute, YouTube.com/AFI, X.com/AmericanFilm, TikTok.com/@americanfilminstitute and Instagram.com/AmericanFilmInstitute.

Press contact:
American Film Institute
Shari Mesulam, [email protected]