AI in Filmmaking Symposium at Cal State LA
Presented by the Department of Television, Film, and Media Studies and the Film Productions Club
The AI in Filmmaking Symposium at Cal State LA is a full-day, in-person event designed to prepare students for the rapidly evolving landscape of visual storytelling. Through industry-led talks, hands-on workshops, and live demonstrations of Assistive and generative AI tools, participants will explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping every stage of production, from concept development to post-production.
Featuring guest speakers from the field and interactive sessions on practical, creative, and professional applications of AI, the symposium offers real-world insight and training with current tools used in today’s filmmaking workflows. Whether you’re interested in directing, editing, screenwriting, or production, this event provides an opportunity to build foundational AI skills, understand emerging industry practices, and engage directly with new technologies shaping the future of media.
Date: February 20, 2026
Time: 9:00 am–6:15 pm
Location: Cal State LA Main Campus
Organizer: Prof. Nidhin Patel ([email protected])
Register
SYMPOSIUM Schedule of Events
Welcome remarks
Location: Music Hall
with AJ Bleyer, DGA Director, Founder/EP of Advent Films
Generative AI is revolutionizing storytelling, giving creatives powerful new ways to bring their ideas to life. Join DGA director AJ Bleyer as he shows just how easy it is to elevate your filmmaking to a Hollywood-level production using the tools you already have at your fingertips.
Location: Music Hall
with Prof. Jessica Santos Director of Sustainability at Sound of Earth
In this Zoom session, Prof. Jessica Santos, a multidisciplinary educator and co-founder of Sound of Earth, explains how to be mindful and responsible creative practitioners in the age of generative AI. Learn how GenAI works, impacts of GenAI in the TV & film industry, how to approach its use ethically, and how creatives can protect their work online.
Location: Zoom Link
Workshop 1: Introduction to Top GenAI App: Runway
Instructor: Everett Swain II, Founder of UXD Academy and Hour Table
This hands-on workshop introduces students to Runway, one of the most powerful GenAI tools for video ideation, editing, and post-production. Participants will get a free access to Runway, and they will follow a real-world prompt to generate, edit, and refine creative content in real time using AI.
Location: TBD
Workshop 2: Transform Your Preproduction and VFX Workflows with AI
Instructor: Areg Noya , Filmmakers and Founders of Pressplay Collective
Instructor: Konstantin Frolov, Filmmakers and Founders of Pressplay Collective
A two-part workshop on how to use GenAI tools to transform your preproduction and VFX workflows. The first hour focuses on how to instantly convert your script into a detailed breakdown, making your pre-production faster and more cost-effective. Followed by a session on VFX on a budget, so you can add stunning effects to your scenes without breaking the bank!
Location: TBD
Workshop 3: Growing Your Personal Brand with AI
Instructor: Dilan Garcia Lopez, Digital Media Professional
Dilan Garcia Lopez, a multimedia creator with over 2,000 short-form video credits, shows you how creators can leverage technology to grow their personal brand on social media platforms through video. The session introduces you to Adobe Firefly, an effective GenAI tool accessible to all creators.
Location: TBD
Workshop 4: Build a Professional Portfolio with Affordable AI
Instructor: Mas Moriya, Founder and CEO of Filmclusive
This hands-on workshop breaks down you how to build a free professional portfolio website using AI faster than traditional tools and how that same workflow can grow into a freelance studio serving real clients. Learn how to think and work with AI as a daily tool to design and turn creative skills into sustainable income.
Location: TBD
Lunch will be provided for registered participants
with Everett Swain II, Founder of UXD Academy and Hour Table
This keynote breaks down how AI is actively enhancing the filmmaking pipeline. From concept to distribution, you will explore the tools studios and indie creators are using to save hours, stretch budgets, and unlock new creative workflows.
Concluding Remarks
Location: Music Hall
Sponsored by
The CSU Entertainment Alliance
Associated Students Inc.
Programming Partners
Pressplay
Sound of Earth
Filmclusive
Cinematography for Actors
Runway AI