AMC Theaters Will Refuse to Screen AI Short Film After Online Uproar

The arrival of artificial intelligence in mainstream cinema faced an unexpected hurdle this week. A short film created using AI tools, poised to receive a national theatrical run, has been pulled from exhibition by AMC Theatres following online backlash.

A Prize Screening Put on Hold

The film, titled Thanksgiving Day, won the inaugural Frame Forward AI Animated Film Festival. The prize included a two-week screening before feature films in theaters nationwide. However, when news of the planned screenings surfaced on social media, criticism quickly mounted, particularly directed at AMC Theatres.

Did You Know? The Thanksgiving Day film features a bear and his platypus assistant traveling through space in a spacecraft resembling a dumpster.

It’s important to note that AMC Theatres doesn’t directly program the pre-show content. That responsibility lies with Screenvision Media, a company that manages the 20-minute advertising segment before movies begin. Screenvision co-organized the Frame Forward festival alongside Modern Uprising Studios and provides content to multiple theater chains.

AMC’s Response

After inquiries from The Hollywood Reporter, AMC issued a statement clarifying its position. The company stated that the initiative was solely from Screenvision Media, running in fewer than 30 percent of its U.S. Locations, and that AMC was not involved in the content’s creation or the initiative itself. AMC has informed Screenvision it will not participate in the screenings.

Whether other theatrical chains will screen the short remains unclear. Screenvision Media has not yet commented. However, Joel Roodman, president and studio head of Modern Uprising Studios, released a statement emphasizing that the theatrical run was just the first step in exposing the film to audiences.

Expert Insight: The swift reaction from AMC highlights the cautious approach traditional Hollywood is taking toward integrating AI-generated content. While acknowledging the evolving media landscape, established players are clearly weighing the potential impact on their brand and audience perception.

Roodman indicated plans to adapt the film for Celeste’s Massive Immersive theatrical venues, with the first location planned for New York City. He stressed the importance of shared theatrical experiences and a commitment to developing new cinematic spaces.

A First, But Not the Only, Step

While this situation represents a setback for a nationwide rollout, it isn’t the first instance of AI content appearing on the big screen. A collection of AI shorts from Runway’s 2025 AI Film Festival played in 10 Imax theaters in August. However, Thanksgiving Day would have been the first narrative AI film to receive such broad exposure in cinemas.

The film was created by Kazakhstani filmmaker Igor Alferov, utilizing AI tools including Gemini 3.1 and Nano Banana Pro. Roodman described the film as “a masterclass in original storytelling” and a demonstration of how AI can complement the future of animated filmmaking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Thanksgiving Day about?

Thanksgiving Day follows a bear and his platypus assistant as they travel through the galaxy in a spacecraft that looks like a dumpster, encountering corrupt space-cops, hygiene officials, and an unusual food delivery service.

Who is responsible for the film being shown in theaters?

Screenvision Media, a company that manages pre-show advertising for several movie theater chains, was responsible for the planned theatrical run as part of the prize package for winning the Frame Forward AI Animated Film Festival.

What is Modern Uprising Studios’ plan for the film now?

Modern Uprising Studios plans to adapt the film for Celeste’s Massive Immersive theatrical venues, starting with a location in New York City.

As AI technology continues to advance, will audiences become more receptive to films created with its assistance, or will traditional methods continue to dominate the cinematic landscape?