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The Open Forum, titled “Is AI the Future of Creativity?”, sparked lively debate and valuable insights from a distinguished panel that included Sanath P.C., Co-founder of Firefly Creative Studio Pvt. Ltd.; Ujwal Nirgudkar, Chairman of SMPTE; lawyer Hetal Desai Soliya; and filmmaker Subodh Menon, Director of Fanboy Pictures. Far from fearing AI as a threat, the experts positioned it as a powerful collaborator that can elevate storytelling when guided by human vision and emotion.

Technology Meets Human Imagination

Ujwal Nirgudkar described AI as the next natural evolution in filmmaking, comparing it to past technological leaps. “AI is already making significant contributions in post-production — from sound enhancement and colour correction to visual improvements and film restoration,” he noted. While acknowledging the rapid pace of development, he cautioned that the industry still needs time to standardise tools and workflows for widespread adoption.

Filmmaker Subodh Menon reinforced that core storytelling remains deeply human. “AI can generate content and assist in brainstorming, but the emotional core of a narrative comes from human experience,” he said. He encouraged filmmakers to view AI as a creative partner for idea generation and validation, predicting that fluency with AI tools will soon become essential in the industry.

Sanath P.C. echoed this balanced optimism, calling the current phase “experimental.” He highlighted AI’s ability to enhance image quality, sound design, and overall audience experience, urging creators to explore its potential without becoming overly dependent on it.

Legal and Ethical Guardrails

Lawyer Hetal Desai Soliya brought critical clarity to the copyright and ethical dimensions. She stressed the need to use licensed data and maintain sufficient human creative input in AI-assisted works. “Copyright ownership ultimately rests with human creators,” she reminded the audience, advising filmmakers to treat AI as an enhancer rather than a replacement for original content.

Consensus: Human Creativity at the Core

The panel unanimously agreed that AI should be embraced as an enabler — one that streamlines production, boosts efficiency, and opens new creative doors — while keeping human imagination, emotion, and artistic vision at the heart of cinema.

The session concluded with an interactive audience Q&A covering AI adoption strategies, ethical concerns, copyright protection, and the future of creative professions.

As the 19th MIFF continues to celebrate documentary excellence, this forum sent a clear message to the Indian film community: the future belongs to those who master technology without losing their human touch.