AI-Generated Feature ‘Raphael’ Anchors MBC C&I’s Hong Kong FilMart Slate (EXCLUSIVE)

AI-Generated Feature ‘Raphael’ Anchors MBC C&I’s Hong Kong FilMart Slate (EXCLUSIVE)

Variety
VarietyMar 17, 2026

Why It Matters

The debut of a fully AI‑generated feature signals a shift toward cost‑efficient, scalable filmmaking, potentially redefining content creation economics. Success at FilMart could accelerate global adoption of AI pipelines and open new revenue streams for broadcasters and tech partners.

Key Takeaways

  • ‘Raphael’ is among first fully AI‑generated feature films
  • MBC C&I aims global co‑production via Hong Kong FilMart
  • Lab employs Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, Runway Gen3, ElevenLabs
  • AI drama series explore fantasy, proverbs, post‑human societies
  • Commercial AI spots produced for LG and CU

Pulse Analysis

The rise of generative AI in cinema is moving from experimental shorts to full‑length narratives, and MBC C&I’s recent showcase underscores that momentum. While Hollywood studios have dabbled with AI‑enhanced VFX, an entirely AI‑crafted feature like “Raphael” demonstrates that the technology can now handle scriptwriting, visual design, and voice synthesis end‑to‑end. This evolution reduces traditional bottlenecks—location scouting, casting, post‑production—allowing creators to iterate rapidly and keep budgets lean, a compelling proposition for cost‑conscious broadcasters.

MBC C&I’s slate at FilMart illustrates the breadth of AI’s creative reach. From sci‑fi action in “Raphael” to the proverb‑driven world of “Memory Proverb Chronicles,” the lab blends genre storytelling with algorithmic imagination. Its production pipeline stitches together Midjourney and Stable Diffusion for imagery, Runway Gen3 for motion, and ElevenLabs for synthetic voices, creating a seamless workflow that can be replicated across multiple projects. The inclusion of celebrity talent such as K‑pop artists further blurs the line between human performance and machine generation, hinting at hybrid models where AI handles the heavy lifting while human stars add marketable appeal.

Commercially, the initiative positions MBC C&I as a pioneer in AI‑first content, attracting co‑production deals and distribution interest beyond Korea. By presenting at Hong Kong FilMart—a hub for Asian media financing—the lab signals readiness to license its technology and content to global platforms seeking fresh, scalable assets. If the AI‑generated model proves profitable, it could trigger a wave of similar ventures, reshaping the economics of film and series production and prompting traditional studios to invest heavily in comparable AI pipelines.

AI-Generated Feature ‘Raphael’ Anchors MBC C&I’s Hong Kong FilMart Slate (EXCLUSIVE)

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