AIFJ Creative Foundry #01 | Exploring AI Video Production with WonderClip

From knowing generative AI to actual production. AI video production is transitioning from generating images and videos to changing the entire flow of production, including planning, scripting, storyboarding, material generation, and editing. On September 30, the AI Film Festival Japan (AIFJ) will hold a hands-on program called "AIFJ Creative Foundry #01" for around 50 participants. The focus of the first session will be on the AI video production platform "WonderClip" provided by Alibaba Cloud. This event is not a general AI introduction but is aimed at individuals who are already engaged in video, advertising, and creative fields, as well as those utilizing generative AI in their actual creative productions, requiring pre-registration and approval. Participants will not only learn about the features and potentials of WonderClip but also open their laptops to try out production using WonderClip. Along with participants from the video, advertising, and AI creative sectors, we will practice video production using generative AI. Credits for WonderClip used in the workshop will be provided by Alibaba Cloud to participants, allowing hands-on production and verification. We are also pleased to welcome Akihiko Shirai, CEO of AICU Inc. and visiting professor at Digital Hollywood University Graduate School, as a guest. During the talk with Mr. Shirai and the WonderClip team, we will not just introduce features but delve into: “As a creator, how can this be used?” “What changes from existing production methods?” “If incorporating it into actual work, where is it interesting and where needs ingenuity?” Based on this content, the latter half will focus on a practical workshop using WonderClip. Learn. Try. Create. And connect. This is a Creative Foundry to take home for your own production, not just to look at new technology. What is WonderClip WonderClip is an AI video production platform provided by Alibaba Cloud. By utilizing generative AI, you can advance production by connecting multiple processes of video production, including planning, scripting, storyboarding, image and video generation, and editing. In this Creative Foundry, participants will directly verify how AI can change the flow of video production by using WonderClip. *Details of the functions and production content to be used on the day will be provided to confirmed participants in advance. Guest Akihiko Shirai, CEO of AICU Inc. / Representative Director of AICU Japan Co., Ltd. / Professor at Kaishi University of Technology, Faculty of Information Design / Visiting Professor at Digital Hollywood University Graduate School Ph.D. in Engineering from Tokyo Institute of Technology. After working at NHK Broadcasting Technology Research Institute, ENSAM (France National School of Arts and Crafts), Miraikan (National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation), and GREE VR Studio Laboratory, he founded AICU Inc. in 2023 with the vision of "creating people who create in the AI era." X: @o_ob This time, as a researcher and educator, he will analyze WonderClip and future AI video production from the perspective of someone who actually creates. Program for the Day 18:30–19:00 | Advance reception & Creator networking (First 30 attendees on the day) A time for advance check-in and free networking will be provided for the first 30 individuals who arrive after 18:30 and have been approved to participate in the main program. No additional applications or selections will be made. Attendees will be guided in the order of their arrival. Those arriving after the first 30 will need to use the regular reception starting at 19:00. Additionally, a networking session for all participants will be held after 20:45. 19:00 | Reception opens 19:15–19:25 | Opening Introduction about AIFJ Creative Foundry / Today's objectives 19:25–19:35 | Introduction to WonderClip The WonderClip team will introduce its features and applications in AI video production 19:35–20:00 | Considering the Current State of AI Video Production from a Creator's Perspective Mr. Akihiko Shirai and the WonderClip team will explore the possibilities of WonderClip, how to use it in actual production, and the future of AI video production. 20:00–20:45 | Practical Workshop with WonderClip Participants will experience actual production using WonderClip on their own laptops. *Credits for WonderClip used during the workshop will be provided by Alibaba Cloud to participants. Participants do not need to purchase credits in advance to attend the workshop. 20:45–21:45 | Creator networking A networking time will be arranged for all participants to interact with fellow creators, Mr. Shirai, the WonderClip team, AIFJ members, etc. 21:45 | Expected end *The program content and schedule may change in some parts. Participation Criteria This Creative Foundry is a pre-registration and approval-based program for individuals who are actively engaged in creative production or planning. It mainly targets those who fall into one of the following categories: 1 | Creators/Producers of Video/Short Content Those who continuously engage in the planning and production of video content, such as filmmakers, directors, producers, editors, VFX artists, animators, etc. 2 | Planning/Production staff in the Advertising and Creative fields Those involved in planning, creative direction, production, producing, design, etc., at advertising agencies, production companies, creative agencies, etc. 3 | AI Artists/AI Creators Those who continuously engage in the production of video, images, art, etc., using generative AI Experience in using generative AI is not the sole criterion for participation. Those with practical production experience in video production, advertising, or the creative field who want to incorporate AI into their work seriously are also eligible. On the other hand, this is not a general introductory course aimed at those who are learning about AI or video production for the first time. About AIFJ Creative Foundry AIFJ Creative Foundry is a hands-on program for creators to actually "know, try, and create" new expressions and production techniques in the AI era. It is not simply a product introduction or seminar. Creators and companies or experts developing AI and creative technology gather directly to try out how new technologies can be used in actual production, share insights, and explore new possibilities in creation. Each session will focus on changing themes and technologies, expanding from film and video as a starting point into various creative fields such as animation, music, advertising, games, and intellectual property (IP). This first session will focus on the AI video production platform "WonderClip." About AI Film Festival Japan (AIFJ) The AI Film Festival Japan (AIFJ) is a platform that connects creators, production companies, IP holders, technology companies, businesses and industries, and communities from Japan and abroad, starting with film and video expressions in the AI era. It is not just limited to a film festival but works to create an environment where new creations arise and connect to actual industries and the world through initiatives such as the Creative Foundry, Industry Forum, and Main Festival (October 31 - November 2, 2026 @TiB). Application & Participation Approval Capacity: About 50 participants Participation: Free / Pre-application and approval-based Language: Mainly Japanese This event is not on a first-come, first-served basis, and applications do not guarantee participation. Based on the application details, compatibility with the target participants, current production and activity content, utilization of generative AI, and what participants want to try with WonderClip will be checked, and participation will be guided considering the composition of participants in each field. To improve the participant composition and practical workshop for about 50 attendees, a few questions regarding current production activities and AI utilization will be asked during application. Whether or not you can participate will be notified sequentially after application, in principle by September 25. For applications after September 25, guides will be provided based on vacancy and cancellation status. Due to capacity and participant composition, there may be cases where we are unable to guide you even if you fall under the participation criteria. In case of cancellations, we may sequentially guide those on the waitlist. For the practical workshop, please bring your own laptop and power adapter. If there are account creation or pre-settings required for using WonderClip, this will be communicated to confirmed participants in advance. About Produced Works and Personal Information The works, materials, prompts, etc., produced by participants in this event do not grant AIFJ or Alibaba Cloud comprehensive rights to AI learning or commercial secondary use solely by virtue of participation in this event. If introducing works or case studies, separate confirmation and consent will be conducted as necessary. Regarding personal information shared with Alibaba Cloud, this will only be done for those who explicitly wished so on the application form and according to the scope and purpose described in that form. Responses to other questions in the application form will not be shared with Alibaba Cloud in a way that identifies individuals. Please check the AIFJ Privacy Policy for how AIFJ handles personal information. https://aifilm.jp/privacy.html