When will AI movies hit theaters across the country?
The excitement was building for next month. The buzz started when news broke that the winner of an AI short film contest would be shown before main features in AMC Theatres. But then, AMC decided to pull the content.
The drama began with the Frame Forward AI Animated Film Festival. They announced that Igor Alferov’s short film, Thanksgiving Day, won the contest. The prize? A chance for the film to run in theaters nationwide. But as details spread on social media, many voiced their concerns about theaters promoting AI-generated content, especially targeting AMC.
It’s important to note that the film wasn’t just a product of theater chains. It was created by Screenvision Media, a third-party company that manages pre-show content for many theaters, not just AMC. They collaborated with the festival, sparking confusion about whose idea it really was.
After inquiries from The Hollywood Reporter, AMC clarified their stance: “This content is from Screenvision Media. They run in fewer than 30% of AMC locations. We had no part in its creation and have opted out.”
As for other theaters? There’s no word yet on whether they’ll show the short. Screenvision hasn’t commented, but Joel Roodman, president of Modern Uprising Studios, shared his thoughts. He emphasized that while the national run of Thanksgiving Day might be limited, it’s just the beginning. They plan to showcase the film in a new venue format, which will debut later this year in New York. He recognized that traditional theaters are wary of AI, but stressed the need for innovative storytelling.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time AI content has graced cinema. In August, a series of AI shorts from Runway’s 2025 AI Film Festival was shown in 10 Imax theaters. However, Thanksgiving Day would mark a significant milestone if it received nationwide exposure—a step into new territory for AI in Hollywood.
The film presents a whimsical adventure. It follows a bear and his platypus assistant traveling in a space dumpster. They face off against quirky space cops and a strange food delivery system along the way.
Alferov, the Kazakhstani filmmaker, used tools like Gemini 3.1 and Nano Banana Pro to create the short. Roodman praised Thanksgiving Day as a brilliant mix of satire and heartfelt storytelling, showcasing how AI can innovate animated filmmaking.
As the landscape of cinema changes, reactions on social media vary. Some embrace the innovation, while others express skepticism about AI’s role in art. This ongoing debate mirrors broader discussions in tech, art, and society about embracing new tools while preserving creativity and human touch.
For now, audiences will have to wait and see how AI content evolves in theaters. The path is uncertain, but it’s clear that the intersection of technology and storytelling is only just beginning to unfold.
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