What Studios Want from AI Filmmaking Tools in 2025

The film industry is no stranger to innovation. From digital editing to the rise of streaming platforms, technology has consistently reshaped how stories are told and sold in film industry. In 2025, artificial intelligence is the next frontier, promising to revolutionize everything from scriptwriting to storyboarding to movie pitching.

But among the growing list of tools and startups promising to transform video production and filmmaking, one question keeps resurfacing: What do studios actually want from AI filmmaking tools?

In a recent conversation with an experienced film producer and consultant Olivier French, we explored what’s missing in today’s tools, what studios are really asking for, and how creators and tech founders can build solutions that truly serve the film industry.

AI tools for filmmaking

The biggest issue with today’s AI filmmaking tools is not ambition. It’s execution. Studios are not looking for the most complex software. They are looking for something that actually works. The value of a solution is not in what it promises, but in what it can consistently deliver within a real production workflow.

As Olivier French said, “You can talk all you want, but if you don’t execute, it doesn’t matter.”

This is especially true in pre-production, where tools like script to shots, storyboard AI, and movie pitch AI platforms can add huge value. However, if a product is unreliable, unclear, or unfinished, it can create more friction than it solves.

Studios and production teams already have complex pipelines. They do not want to experiment with tools that are still finding their identity. The appetite is strong for innovation, but only when it’s supported by flawless delivery and clarity of purpose..

How to find AI solutions for filmmaking

There is a clear and growing demand from studios and creative teams for new tools powered by AI. From major production companies to video agencies, professionals are actively searching for better ways to handle pre-production challenges like storyboarding, casting, and pitching.

And yet, the adoption rate of most AI filmmaking platforms remains low.

This is not because studios are not interested. It’s because many of the tools in the market are not solving the right problems. They might offer impressive demos, but they fail to fit into real-world workflows.

As the Founder and CEO of Drawstory noted, “We actually don’t spend that much to find users. They are trying to find us. But they are overwhelmed by noise.”

There is an opportunity here for any product team that can focus. Build a narrow, targeted solution to a painful problem. Whether it’s a script to storyboard AI tool that simplifies pre-visualization or a movie pitch AI that helps validate ideas, clarity wins. The simpler it is to integrate and use, the more likely it is to gain traction.

Overpromising Is Hurting the Industry

The conversation turned to Largo AI, one of the better-known players in this space. Largo offers script analysis and market forecasting based on narrative and casting variables. It has secured investment and built a reputation. But according to our producer, it still falls short when it comes to real-world usability.

“They’re breaking new ground, sure, but I wouldn’t use them for an independent film. Not yet,” he said. “It feels like they’re overpromising on what they can actually deliver.”

This is a recurring issue with AI filmmaking platforms. Many promise predictive insights, box office forecasts, or deep audience analysis. But for most users, especially in the independent sector, these insights feel vague or disconnected from the reality of their projects.

AI tools need to be honest about their limits. Studios are sophisticated buyers. They do not expect perfection, but they do expect transparency. If a tool is great at turning a script into a visual storyboard, that alone is valuable. There is no need to oversell.

Niche Solutions Beat Generalist Platforms

The most successful platforms in 2025 will not be the ones trying to serve everyone. They will be the ones that serve a specific type of user extremely well.

“If you’re building for everyone, you’re building for no one,” our guest said.

This insight is particularly relevant in filmmaking. A tool that tries to cater to both independent creators and large-scale studios is unlikely to satisfy either. Instead, focus on delivering unmatched value to a specific segment.

For example, a script to storyboard AI that helps indie directors rapidly visualize scenes for crowdfunding campaigns has a clear use case. A movie pitch AI that helps ad agencies turn ideas into visually-driven client presentations solves a different but equally focused problem. Both can succeed, as long as they pick a lane and own it.

The 80/20 Rule Still Applies

In any industry, most people are slow to adopt new technology. Filmmaking is no different. For every creator exploring AI tools, there are four more sticking to old methods.

But that does not mean innovation is a dead end. It just means you need to build for the early adopters.

“Eighty percent of people will do nothing. Twenty percent will try something new. You just have to decide which side you’re on,” our producer explained.

The key is to find the 20 percent. These are the indie producers, studio innovation leads, and content teams already playing with MidJourney, Runway, or Drawstory. Build for them. Learn from them. And let their feedback shape your product roadmap.

The Future Belongs to the Builders

At the end of the day, the companies that will succeed in AI filmmaking are the ones that build with precision, listen to their users, and adapt fast. They will not be the biggest or the most well-funded. They will be the ones who execute.

“There are a lot of apps out there. But it’s still in the hands of the user. You need a team that can execute.”

The opportunity is massive. The old systems are breaking. The traditional models for pre-production and pitching are being questioned. And AI is not a threat to creativity. It is a tool that, if designed properly, can amplify it.

Final Thoughts

Studios want AI filmmaking tools that solve specific problems. They want a script to storyboard AI that helps them move faster. They want movie pitch AI that makes it easier to raise financing. And above all, they want products that do what they say they will do.

The next wave of success stories in this space will come from teams who choose to build narrow, execute relentlessly, and grow alongside their users.

If you are building in this space, the time is now. Focus beats noise. Execution beats hype.

And the studios? They are already looking.