The Shanghai AI Short Film Festival (SAISFF) is a global platform at the intersection of storytelling and technology, uniting emerging and established filmmakers with leaders in AI and digital media. Through bold short film premieres, hands-on workshops, keynote talks, and industry panels, SAISFF champions innovation, collaboration, and creative exploration. University students and faculty play a key role, joining as filmmakers, panelists, volunteers, and engaged attendees. Year-round Meetups and events further connect and inspire a growing global community. SAISFF invites partnerships to co-create local experiences that blend traditional storytelling with the power of emerging technologies.
TEAM
At the Hybrid AI FilmFest, our success is driven by a passionate and dynamic group of individuals working together to redefine storytelling through technology and art. Meet the people behind the scenes who bring this unique event to life:
Cofounders: Visionaries at the forefront of blending art and technology, our cofounders are the architects of the Hybrid AI FilmFest. With diverse backgrounds in filmmaking, AI development, and creative industries, they are united by a shared mission to inspire the next generation of filmmakers. Their leadership and innovative vision have shaped the festival into a platform that bridges the gap between creativity and cutting-edge technology, fostering global collaboration and redefining cinematic possibilities.
Team Members: Our dedicated team members are the backbone of the Hybrid AI FilmFest. From festival programming and film curation to technology integration and event management, these talented professionals bring their expertise and passion to every aspect of the festival. Their commitment to creating a seamless and inspiring experience for filmmakers, technologists, and audiences ensures the success of the event year after year.
FILM COORDINATOR: The Film Coordinator is responsible for managing film submissions, screenings, and filmmaker relations. They ensure a seamless experience for participating filmmakers and oversee programming logistics. Responsibilities include managing the film submission process, coordinating film screenings, organizing the jury process, curating film lineups, facilitating filmmaker Q&A sessions, and addressing film-related concerns. Qualifications include experience in film festival coordination, strong organizational and communication skills, and familiarity with AI-generated content in filmmaking.
TECH COORDINATOR: The Tech Coordinator manages the technical aspects of the festival, ensuring all AI-related demonstrations, screenings, and discussions run smoothly. Responsibilities include overseeing AI-related technology integrations, coordinating with screening venues, providing technical support for panel discussions, collaborating with filmmakers to meet technical requirements, and troubleshooting technical issues. Qualifications include experience with film technology, knowledge of screening formats and audiovisual equipment, and strong troubleshooting skills.
EVENTS COORDINATOR: The Events Coordinator ensures the smooth operation of all festival activities, from venue setup to attendee experience. Responsibilities include managing logistics for festival venues, coordinating with vendors and catering services, overseeing festival flow, ensuring accessibility for attendees, and working with volunteers and security teams. Qualifications include experience in event planning, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage multiple moving parts efficiently.
AWARDS COORDINATOR: The Awards Coordinator manages the nomination and selection process for festival awards, ensuring fairness and transparency. Responsibilities include overseeing the awards selection process, managing communication with judges, organizing the awards ceremony, coordinating with award recipients and media, and maintaining records of past winners. Qualifications include experience in awards programming, strong organizational and communication skills, and familiarity with the AI and film industry.
FINANCIAL COORDINATOR: The Financial Coordinator handles budgeting, financial tracking, and funding distribution for the festival. Responsibilities include developing and managing the festival’s budget, working with sponsorship teams to secure funding, tracking expenses, processing payments, ensuring compliance with financial regulations, and preparing financial reports. Qualifications include experience in finance or budgeting, strong attention to detail, and familiarity with funding models for film festivals.
MARKETING COORDINATOR: The Marketing Coordinator is responsible for promoting the festival, driving audience engagement, and maximizing outreach. Responsibilities include developing marketing campaigns, creating promotional materials, coordinating with media partners, managing the festival’s online presence, and collaborating with sponsors for promotional efforts. Qualifications include experience in marketing or PR, strong knowledge of digital marketing strategies, and the ability to work creatively under pressure.
SPONSORSHIP COORDINATOR: The Sponsorship Coordinator secures partnerships and funding to support the festival. Responsibilities include identifying and approaching potential sponsors, developing sponsorship packages, maintaining relationships with sponsors, coordinating sponsorship activations, and tracking sponsorship performance. Qualifications include experience in fundraising or business development, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to craft compelling sponsorship proposals.
VOLUNTEERS COORDINATOR: The Volunteers Coordinator recruits, trains, and manages volunteers for the festival. Responsibilities include developing a volunteer recruitment plan, organizing training sessions, managing volunteer schedules, acting as the main point of contact, and recognizing volunteers’ contributions. Qualifications include experience in volunteer management, strong leadership skills, and the ability to handle scheduling challenges.
SPEAKERS COORDINATOR: The Speakers Coordinator manages guest speakers, ensuring their participation is well-organized and impactful. Responsibilities include identifying and inviting industry experts, coordinating speaker schedules and accommodations, organizing panel discussions and workshops, ensuring speakers have necessary materials, and maintaining relationships for future collaborations. Qualifications include experience in event programming, strong communication skills, and familiarity with AI and filmmaking.
SPEAKERS / PANELISTS: Speakers and panelists will be key figures in AI, filmmaking, and technology, providing insights into the evolving landscape of AI-enhanced cinema. Roles include industry leaders sharing expertise on AI in filmmaking, filmmakers showcasing AI-driven works, tech innovators demonstrating AI applications in storytelling, and researchers exploring ethical and creative implications. Speakers and panelists will contribute to discussions, workshops, and keynote presentations, shaping the festival’s educational and inspirational impact.
Volunteers: The heart and soul of the festival, our volunteers are enthusiastic individuals who believe in the power of storytelling and the potential of AI. Whether assisting with event logistics, guiding participants, or creating a welcoming environment for attendees, their invaluable contributions help make the Hybrid AI FilmFest a vibrant and inclusive celebration of creativity and innovation.
Together, our cofounders, team members, and volunteers form a community dedicated to pushing the boundaries of cinematic storytelling and inspiring creativity at the intersection of art and technology.
Patrick Kelly
A Mandarin speaker, Patrick Kelly has over 25 years of business and film experience in China. Patrick has been involved in Shanghai film and TV production since 1991, with credits including “Shanghai 1920” starring John Lone, Rudy Morgan’s “Flatland”, Merchant Ivory’s “White Countess”, and Daying Ye’s “Hong Se Lian Ren” starring Leslie Cheung.
Patrick has recently been involved with several short films including “Shen Qu,” which won Best Directing at Filmapaloza 2023, Best Cinematography at the Chelsea Film Festival, and was screened at the Canada China International Film Festival. In 2023 he produced “Detaching,” a Mandarin-language sci-fi short film that won multiple awards and was included in the Cannes Short Film Corner 2024. In 2024 he produced M.A.D | Mutual Assured Destruction for the AI Global Marathon Short Film Competition that won the Audience Choice Award from Bilibili. He is the managing director for Shanghai Fengying Media Development Co Ltd and a producer with Willmountain films.
Mike Rosenthal
Michael has managed organizations for more than 25 years. He is the founder of Rosenthal Business Consulting, International Vice-President for LehmanBush, and President of AmChamUS. Michael was a law clerk for two U.S. federal judges and served eight years as a Federal Prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice, receiving an Outstanding Trial Attorney Award in 1993 and 1996. Michael served as the Special Prosecutor and Minister of Justice for the Republic of Palau, taught law at the Palau Community College, and served two years as the Palau Bar President. Starting in 2005 he served as the Asia Pacific CEO for Day Light Inc., USA, and subsequently worked in various industries including environmental, education, human resources, fashion, retail, health/beauty, and media. Michael has provided consulting, training, and coaching services to Fortune 500 companies including Baxter, Bayer, Cisco, Continental, Danone, Johnson Controls, Prudential, SAP, SAIC, Shanghai GM, Volvo, and others. He has worked in various sectors of media and entertainment, in front of and behind the camera, and has appeared in numerous commercials/movies/television shows with well know Chinese actors including Louis Koo, Hu Ge, Sun Li, Yang Mi, Ren Da Hua, and others. He has also produced/directed various promotional videos and has been a host/emcee/panel facilitator/auctioneer for many events including the President’s Roundtable on Cancer, the Fur Free Fashion, SIAS, AmCham Charity Galas, the International Solid Waste Management Summit, Book Launch of Americans in Shanghai, and the 50th Year Anniversary of US-China Ping Pong Diplomacy. Michael also regularly organizes business events and has served for four years as Chairman of the AmCham-Shanghai Environmental Committee and on the AmCham-Shanghai Board of Governors. He graduated with honors from the University of Massachusetts with a B.S. degree in Psychology and the American University Washington College of Law with a Juris Doctorate Degree.
Ai WAN 爱万
Shanghai-born, Los Angeles-raised, Ai is a Sundance Grand Jury Prize-nominated creative force. A bilingual actress, conceptual designer, producer, writer, and emerging director, she boasts over 40 IMDb credits and 30+ international awards/nominations.
Her work has premiered and screened at prestigious festivals including Toronto, Sundance, Berlin, Cannes, Busan, and Cairo. Acclaimed for her acting, she recently received “Best Actress” awards at the Berlin Int’l Art Film Festival and Busan New Wave International Film Festival. Her debut was in “Rush Hour 1” with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker.
As a director/writer/producer, her sci-fi short “Built for Sin” earned a “Best New Female Director” nomination (Indie Short Fest, LA). Her screenwriting garnered a Top Ten Best Screenplay award (Beijing Int’l Film Festival). In 2024, her AI short film “M.A.D” (Executive Producer/Voice) won the Bilibili Audience Choice Award in Shanghai Film Group’s AI film global competition (800+ entries). That same year, she secured seven nominations, including Best Actress and Best Director, for her team “Plan C” (48HFP).
Ai Wan founded Aiwan Entertainment, runs PLAN C Productions, and spearheads the Shanghai International Filmmakers Alliance and Indie Meetups. She has been the MC/host for the Shanghai 48HFP Awards (2021-2024) and served as China’s first global main panel judge for the competition, whose winners screen at Cannes Short Film Corner.
A key industry facilitator, she orchestrated the exclusive release of the Oscar-winning “Her” in China a decade ago. In 2024, she represented “Her” again during the Shanghai Int’l Film Festival’s AI-focused segment.
Dubbed a “Renaissance Woman” by China Daily and The Beijinger, Ai Wan was recognized by Outlook Design as a leading figure in China’s creative class and received the Beijing CREATIVE WOW Award for Outstanding Woman of the Year.
Leon Krykhtin
Ukraine born British architect and designer, educator, new media artist sometimes, with about 20 years experience in architecture and design related fields. Lived for many years in London before moving to Shanghai about 3 years ago. Worked in a handful of leading architecture offices including Zaha Hadid’s office and UNStudio Ben van Berkel office. My projects in China you can visit in Shanghai Linkong Soho (CTrip headquarters), Nanjing Youth Cultural Center in Nanjing . Did projects ranging from presidential palaces and parliaments headquarters to space and furniture design, jewelery design, multiple fashion design collaborations leading to my involvement in multiple fashion weeks exhibiting in 3 continents. Founder and Creative Director of multidisciplinary creative innovation studio LKDN (London , Shanghai) focusing on generative AI applications in architecture and design projects. Was part of the ZHVR group in London focusing on Virtual Reality applications in architectural and space design. From last year also a Founder of LKDN AI school where I co-teach with others AI to creative professionals of many disciplines individually and as corporate training. Teach from time to time creative application of AI to design students at China Academy of Art, Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts, University of North Texas, and other universities. Worked with brands like Lamborghini, BMW, Huawei, Nike and other known brands. Exhibiting my generative art and AI art around the world. Sometimes do live visual audio art shows involving interactive art, video, and more. I am also running a community of 160 + AI Film making enthusiasts. And run monthly AI Film making meetups in Shanghai. Also i am an AI film maker from time to time awarded several times at AI international film festivals.
JUDGES
Leon Loukeris is a Greek-German creative director and VFX supervisor based in Shanghai, with 25+ years across film, TV commercials, and design. Credits include Hugo (Best VFX Oscar), Star Trek, Game of Thrones, and Snow White and the Huntsman. He teaches cinematography and VFX at Raffles Design Institute and Shanghai Vancouver Film School, and conducts storytelling workshops using AI as a creative tool in universities and film schools.
Timothy Giovanni is the founder of China Animation Group, China indie film community member, animation training supervisor, Shanghai-China city producer of the global 48 Hour Film Project competition(2021-2024).With over 20 years of experience in the animation industry, Tim has worked on a diverse range of projects including films, TV series, commercials and games. His extensive career has seen him contribute to major studios such as Fox Animation Studio and Warner Bros, among others.Tim has also made significant contributions to short films and commercials and has been instrumental in developing training programs for animators at various institutions. His consulting expertise has been sought by renowned studios worldwide, including Mercury Filmworks, Toonz Entertainment, Bluezoo, and Disney+ through Toon Boom Animation.
Jim Wang is the Co-Founder & CTO of CreativeFitting in Shanghai.Former Co-Founder & CTO of CooTek. A Serial entrepreneur with a focus on AI technology and its real-world applications. Passionate about integrating AI with content creation and global markets. Recipient of the GSMA Global Mobile Innovation Award (Barcelona), Google Play Best App of 2015, and the 2024 Shanghai Global AI Film Marathon Award.
Nicholas Z. Scott is a Shanghai-based writer, director, producer, and film educator. He’s taught film and screenwriting at NYU Shanghai, the Shanghai Vancouver Film School, the University of Michigan – Shanghai Jiao Tong Joint Institute, and Tulane Global. His short films have won awards at the Shanghai 48 Hour Film Project, the Shanghai International Short Film Competition, and the Shanghai International Film Festival. His films Requiem for a Martyr and Detaching were both screened at the Cannes Film Festival as part of the 48 Hour Film Project’s ‘Best from Around the World’ showcase. His latest film, Black Fog, recently won ‘Best Foreign Language Horror’ at the Chicago Horror Film Festival and ‘Most Exciting’ at the Tokyo Horror Film Festival.
Alice Ma
Amy Jia
Shanawar Butt
TEAM MEMBERS
Eddie Lopez
Zoe Wu
Jack Liu
Tyren Scott Thomas
Mary Lynn
Joyce Zhu
Howard Chen
Mier Tang
Linday Zhu
Jacky Lin
Tino Dimitropoulos
Yvonne Ye
Maxito Navas
GET INVOLVED
The SAISFF is not just an event; it’s a collaborative and inclusive platform that thrives on active participation and community involvement. Whether you’re a filmmaker, a technology enthusiast, a creative professional, or someone passionate about storytelling, there are numerous ways to contribute to and benefit from this groundbreaking festival. By getting involved, you can become an integral part of an event that celebrates the fusion of human creativity and artificial intelligence, while connecting with a network of forward-thinking individuals and organizations.
One of the most rewarding ways to participate is by volunteering. The festival offers a variety of volunteer roles that are essential to its success. These roles may include assisting with event setup and logistics, coordinating with filmmakers and speakers, managing registration desks, guiding attendees, or supporting technical teams with film screenings and presentations. Volunteers not only gain valuable experience in event management and filmmaking but also enjoy unique behind-the-scenes access to the festival. Additionally, they receive perks such as complimentary festival passes, official merchandise, and certificates of appreciation, making their contribution both fulfilling and recognized. To apply, simply visit the “Volunteer Opportunities” section on the festival website, review the available roles, and submit your application through the online form.
For those with expertise in artificial intelligence, filmmaking, or related fields, the festival invites you to share your knowledge by becoming a speaker or panelist. This is an incredible opportunity to contribute to thought leadership by participating in discussions on the future of AI in storytelling, the challenges and opportunities in AI-driven creativity, or the evolving dynamics of the film industry. To nominate yourself or someone else, submit an application detailing your experience and proposed topic through the “Become a Speaker” section of the website. Our team carefully reviews each submission to ensure a diverse and engaging lineup of speakers who can inspire and educate the audience.
Community engagement is another cornerstone of the festival’s mission. By fostering connections among participants, the festival aims to create a vibrant network of individuals who are passionate about innovation in storytelling. To facilitate this, the festival offers dedicated online forums and discussion groups where attendees, participants, and industry professionals can exchange ideas, share insights, and collaborate on projects. These forums serve as a space for ongoing dialogue, enabling connections that extend beyond the event itself. Links to these communities are available on the festival’s website under the “Community Engagement” section, and participation is open to everyone interested in the intersection of creativity and technology.
Getting involved in the Hybrid AI Short FilmFest means more than just attending—it’s about actively contributing to a movement that is reshaping the future of cinema. Whether you choose to volunteer, speak, or engage with the community, your participation will leave a lasting impact and connect you with a global network of visionaries and innovators. Visit the “Get Involved” page on the festival website to explore these opportunities in detail and take the first step toward being part of this extraordinary event. Together, let’s celebrate the transformative power of AI and human creativity in storytelling.
SPONSORS
The SAISFF provides sponsors with an unparalleled opportunity to connect with a dynamic audience of filmmakers, AI enthusiasts, technologists, and industry leaders. Sponsorship goes beyond traditional branding—it positions your organization as a leader in innovation and creativity while engaging directly with a forward-thinking community. Sponsors benefit from high visibility, with logos prominently displayed on promotional materials, event banners, and digital campaigns, as well as on-screen advertisements during the event and livestream. Audience engagement is maximized through booth spaces in high-traffic areas, opportunities to distribute branded giveaways, and interactions with attendees. Additionally, sponsors can showcase thought leadership by participating in panel discussions, presenting awards in key categories, and sharing insights about their contributions to AI and the creative industry.
Networking opportunities are abundant, with access to exclusive sessions to connect with filmmakers, technologists, and industry leaders, fostering valuable partnerships. Social media and digital campaigns amplify your brand’s presence, ensuring recognition across multiple platforms. Flexible sponsorship packages—Platinum, Gold, and Silver—offer options tailored to align with your goals, with additional customization available for exclusive partnerships.
Becoming a sponsor is simple. Visit the sponsorship page on the festival website, select your preferred package, and submit your details through the online form. Our team will work with you to finalize the details and tailor the package to meet your needs. By sponsoring the Hybrid AI Short FilmFest, your organization gains visibility, strengthens its reputation as an innovation leader, and supports the future of storytelling. For inquiries or tailored sponsorship options, contact our team at [email protected]