Filmmakers Criticize Tropfest Selecting AI Film Finalist

Filmmakers and former winners criticized Tropfest's selection of an AI-generated animated noir, SYD CONFIDENTIAL, as one of 16 finalists at the Feb. 22 festival in Sydney. Critics said the choice, legal under rules allowing AI introduced in November, undervalues human-made films and harms emerging filmmakers; founder John Polson defended the selection process while acknowledging concerns. The festival's $50,000 prize winner was Lianne Mackessy's Crescendo.