A statement signed by ARP, SRF, SCA, SACD, Guilde des Scénaristes, U2R, AGRAF, and other organizations representing French animation authors expressed concern about OpenAI’s plans to create, produce, and distribute an animated film entirely generated by artificial intelligence.
The statement mentions that graphic designers, screenwriters, and animation directors were among the first to adopt technological innovations in their creative process. However, it emphasizes that no technology can replace the sensitivity, vision, and commitment of human creators. Creation is described as a profoundly human endeavor, shaped by lived experiences, cultures, and genuine emotions.
Furthermore, the letter highlights that OpenAI’s project comes at a time when the animation industry is facing an unprecedented crisis. The company’s past disregard for copyright protections, including unauthorized use of works by Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki, is noted as particularly concerning.
In addition, the statement stresses that French animated cinema relies on the talents of human creators and technicians, which must be preserved to maintain cultural diversity, quality, and balance within the broader cultural ecosystem. The planned premiere at the Cannes Film Festival is criticized, with the letter arguing that the event should not be co-opted for commercial promotion or used to legitimize the replacement of human creators.
The organizations call on public authorities, film festivals, and citizens to defend creative freedom, which they describe as responsible, ethical, and fundamentally human. Every creative work, the statement concludes, should continue to be led by human authors in key artistic roles.
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