IICT and YouTube Debut First Four AI Short Films
- What: Four AI short films premiered
- Partners: IICT and YouTube India
- Sector: AVGC-XR and digital creators
- Impact: Up to 20% creative time saved
Independent Indian studios are turning generative artificial intelligence from a speculative concept into finished cinema. Under a collaborative mentorship initiative launched in late 2025, the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies and YouTube debuted four AI-assisted short films in Mumbai, releasing them simultaneously across creator channels on the video platform.
The initial slate spans diverse genres and technical pipelines: Avium Studios dramatized the 1741 Battle of Colachel in Chekavar, Eleventh Door Studio explored the Mauryan strategist in Chanakya, Kalpanik Films staged mythological battles in Devi, and Karthik Kult Kreations tracked space travel in Laika. Backed by Google and YouTube model access and IICT faculty support, the initiative was built to embed generative AI into production pipelines without displacing filmmaker direction.
For India's visual arts and AVGC-XR sectors, the economic stakes behind these workflows are substantial. Industry data highlighted at the launch shows generative media tools can boost creative worker productivity in India by 20%, saving creators roughly 390 hours each year. As IICT prepares to move from its interim NFDC base to a permanent 10-acre campus in Mumbai Film City, policymakers hope these pilot productions demonstrate practical templates for commercial studios.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IICT-YouTube Create with AI programme?
Announced in November 2025, the programme connects Indian creators with Google and YouTube AI tools alongside IICT mentorship to develop practical workflows for AI-assisted cinema.
Which short films were unveiled under the initiative?
The initial four short films are Chekavar, CHANAKYA – The Mind of an Empire, DEVI: The Nine Astras, and Laika, streaming directly on the filmmakers' YouTube channels.
What is the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies?
IICT is India's National Centre of Excellence for AVGC-XR, established jointly by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, the Maharashtra government, FICCI, and CII.
Source
Press Release ID 2320332, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting · 2026-10-07
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