Big movie studios still run the show but AI may have found its spot in smaller scenes. Not in theaters but in fast clips and short ideas. Think quick love stories or strange sci-fi dreams. Just a few lines of text and you’re off.
Nobody’s saying AI’s the next Spielberg. It’s just letting curious people mess around with film ideas without needing gear or a crew. You don’t need a million bucks—just a wild idea and a minute of screen time.
ReelShort is getting big with mobile-focused love stories
ReelShort launched in China and is making waves with mobile-first videos. The app comes from Crazy Maple Studio and leans into the trend of micro-dramas—short romantic episodes around 60 to 90 seconds long. They’re built to be scrolled through on phones and are mostly aimed at a female audience. So far the app has pulled in over 150 million users and made more than $200 million. The first few episodes are free then users pay to unlock more.
Short mobile content isn’t a new thing. Quibi tried it back in 2020 with a huge budget and big Hollywood names behind it. But it didn’t last more than six months. They charged upfront in a market full of free apps and didn’t let people share clips. They also missed how people actually use their phones. In the end it didn’t connect.
AI is helping them move fast and stay cheap
What really powers ReelShort is how they use AI to create scenes and speed up production. It keeps costs low and lets them adjust stories fast. Some teams have managed to make up to 100 episodes in just 15 days. Each one costs around 5,000 yuan ($700). That kind of pace helps them keep up with what viewers like and tweak things on the fly.
Noteworthy AI-Generated Short Films
It’s not just platforms like ReelShort making moves. Individual creators are using AI to make full short films on their own. Here are a few standout projects:
Battalion – My First Ever 5 Minute Gen AI Short Film. A solo creator used image-to-video and text-to-video tools to tell a sci-fi story. It’s a solid example of how AI can help make complete films without a big team.
Robort (A.I. Short Film). This experimental project used AI to make all the visuals and audio. It’s a strong look at what AI can do in filmmaking.
Begin Again – Hyper Realistic AI Short Film. This one combines scriptwriting AI with tools for voice music and editing. The result is a full story made completely through AI.
Sunspring. One of the earlier ones from 2016 written entirely by an AI named Benjamin. It’s a good reminder of how far AI storytelling has come.
These projects show what’s possible even without a big crew or budget.
AI tools are helping more creators build projects
Platforms like AI Creators Tools are making it easier for anyone to create. It lists tons of tools for video, audio, writing and editing. You can filter by category, compare prices and pick the right ones for your project. You don’t need a full studio anymore, just the knowledge of the powerful AI products.
Vertical video is working because people watch on phones now
Vertical SVOD—subscription video built for smartphones—is on the rise. Instead of turning their phone sideways people now expect content to fit upright screens. ReelShort proves this format works. Viewers can knock out an episode in a quick break. It’s easy to watch and easy to get into.
Where this is heading
AI storytelling is growing fast. ReelShort shows that quick stories made with AI can reach millions. There are still things to figure out like keeping quality high but the path forward is clear. AI is becoming a major part of entertainment.
