Filmmaker Harmony Korine partners with Runway to develop AI-powered cinema projects

Harmony Korine’s experimental film collective EDGLRD has formed a strategic partnership with AI company Runway, signaling another significant integration of artificial intelligence into traditional creative production. This collaboration between an avant-garde filmmaker known for pushing artistic boundaries and a well-funded AI development platform highlights the growing intersection of experimental cinema and generative technology, potentially establishing new creative workflows for visual storytelling.

The big picture: Filmmaker Harmony Korine’s EDGLRD has signed a first-look development deal with AI company Runway to create new projects using generative AI tools.

Key details: The partnership builds on previous collaborations between EDGLRD and Runway, including work on campaigns for fashion brands Marc Jacobs and Balenciaga.

• Korine previously utilized Runway’s AI tools for his experimental project “Baby Invasion,” which premiered at the Venice Film Festival last year.
• The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

What they’re saying: Korine emphasized the partnership’s focus on creative experimentation with emerging technologies.

• “At EDGLRD, we’re always experimenting with new technology and tools as we look for new ways to create images and tell stories,” Korine stated on Runway’s blog.
• Jamie Umpherson, head of Runway Studios, noted that Korine’s boundary-pushing approach aligns with how the company is “building towards this new era of media.”

Behind the numbers: Runway recently secured an additional $308 million in funding, bringing its total investment to $545 million, while also launching its Gen-4 AI models.

Where we go from here: Korine has joined the jury for Runway’s third AI Film Festival, with honored content scheduled to be screened at events in New York on June 5 and Los Angeles on June 12.