A 75-minute feature film created entirely with artificial intelligence will make its debut at the Tribeca Festival.
Dreams of Violets dramatizes events from 47 years of Iranian protests, including unrest in January 2026. The docudrama focuses on civilian resistance in Iran.
AI studio Fountain 0 produced the film for a total of $2,000. Brothers Ash and Pooya Koosha directed the project as their first feature. Every image and sequence in the movie was generated using AI tools, with no traditional live-action footage captured.
The world premiere is scheduled for June 10, 2026, at the AMC Flat Iron Theatre in New York City as part of the Tribeca Festival lineup.
Jane Rosenthal, Tribeca Festival co-founder, highlighted the film's approach.
The Tribeca Festival has long championed artists who push the boundaries of storytelling and explore new creative frontiers. Dreams of Violets from first-time filmmakers Ash and Pooya Koosha is a powerful example of how emerging technologies like AI can be used not simply as tools of innovation, but as vehicles for deeply human storytelling.
This screening represents the first instance of a complete live-action narrative feature made with generative AI being selected for a major film festival. The achievement underscores a shift in how stories can reach audiences through accessible technology rather than traditional production pipelines.
The project stands out for its minimal budget compared to conventional feature films, which often require millions of dollars in funding and extensive crews. By relying on generative AI, the filmmakers were able to visualize historical and contemporary scenes of protest without on-location shooting or actors in the traditional sense. This method allowed rapid iteration on visual sequences while maintaining narrative focus on resistance movements spanning decades.
The film offers a new perspective on how technology can convey stories of social and political movements across decades. Audiences at the festival will have the opportunity to see this innovative work on the big screen for the first time. Viewers can expect a distinctive visual style shaped entirely by algorithmic generation yet rooted in real historical events.
