Google is putting $75 million into A24, the indie studio behind films like Moonlight and Everything Everywhere All at Once, to develop AI-powered movie production tools. The partnership, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, marks the first time Google has taken a financial stake in a film studio.
The collaboration pairs Google’s DeepMind AI research lab with A24’s creative roster to build new workflows for filmmakers. Google says the tools will focus on bridging cutting-edge technology with next-generation entertainment, though no specific projects have been announced yet.
Scott Belsky, an A24 partner and former Adobe chief strategy officer, said the tools won’t look like the prompt-based AI generation that makes people uncomfortable. Instead, he says they’ll preserve creative control and support risk-taking by artists.
Not everyone in A24’s camp is thrilled about AI, though. Kane Parsons, the YouTube creator who directed the Backrooms film that grossed $38 million, has been openly critical of generative AI. In a recent interview, he said generative AI feels less like innovation and more like a symptom of broader cultural and economic rot, and that he gets no enjoyment from using it.
The deal is non-exclusive and doesn’t give Google access to A24’s film or TV library data. The partnership is expected to span multiple projects over several years.
The move could raise eyebrows across Hollywood, especially given the ongoing legal battles between major studios and AI companies. Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros have all sued AI generators like Midjourney and Minimax for alleged copyright violations.
