OpenAI has backed the production of Critterz, an animated film created almost entirely using generative AI and set to debut at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2026, The Wall Street Journal reports. The story follows forest creatures whose peace is disturbed by an unexpected guest, after which they set off on an adventure.
The idea was conceived by Chad Nelson, a creative at OpenAI who began developing the characters three years ago, experimenting with an early version of DALL·E. He is now working with London-based Vertigo Films and California-based studio Native Foreign, which specializes in combining traditional production methods with AI tools.
Critterz has a budget of less than $30 million, significantly less than typical animated film costs. The team plans to complete production in nine months instead of the planned three years. Artists will create sketches that will be processed by OpenAI models, including GPT-5, and image generation tools. The characters will be voiced by actors.
The script was written by the authors of "Paddington in Peru". The project is financed by Vertigo's parent company, Federation Studios. About 30 participants in the production will receive a share of the profits.
OpenAI sees Critterz as a demonstration that AI can create content suitable for the big screen, lowering costs and opening up filmmaking to a wider range of creators. However, the companies have not yet decided on a distributor and are unsure about a wide release of the cartoon.