Bollywood’s brightest stars swapped the usual film set for the future at the AI x Filmmaking Festival 2025, held at Mumbai’s iconic Royal Opera House from October 31 to November 2. Among the familiar faces spotted at the event were Riteish Deshmukh, Kunal Kapoor, Mushtaq Shaikh, Karan Anshuman, and several other industry personalities who turned up to witness how artificial intelligence is reshaping the art of storytelling.
Hosted by Localhost, the three-day festival wasn’t just a celebration—it was an experiment. Filmmakers and technologists teamed up to create two-minute short films entirely powered by AI tools. From generating scripts and visual effects to composing soundtracks, every element showcased how technology can amplify creativity. The event carried a prize pool of over 23,000, making it one of the most exciting creative hackathons of the year.
The final screening brought the glitz back to the Royal Opera House, where these AI-driven short films premiered before an audience of Bollywood veterans, producers, and tech innovators. Guests, including the attending celebs, were reportedly fascinated by the potential of AI in filmmaking—some calling it the “next big leap” for cinema. Many also applauded Localhost’s support, which included covering flights, accommodation, and meals for 50 selected artists, ensuring accessibility for creators from across India.
However, the festival didn’t escape controversy. Its timing overlapped with what would have been the MAMI Film Festival, which was cancelled this year. The coincidence sparked a spirited debate in the Mumbai film circuit—some defending traditional cinema’s craftsmanship, others embracing AI as the natural next chapter in storytelling. It was, in many ways, a mirror of the larger global conversation: can machines truly capture human emotion on screen?
Regardless of the debate, one thing was clear—the AI x Filmmaking Festival wasn’t just an event; it was a glimpse into the cinematic future. With stars, storytellers, and software all sharing the same stage, Mumbai witnessed a historic fusion of creativity and code.