In-Person Event: Sora Shorts in the OpenAI Forum

About the Talk:

Join us for an exclusive film screening at Georgia Tech’s Academy of Medicine Theatre on Tuesday, March 25 from 6:00–7:00 PM ET. This OpenAI Forum event will showcase four short films (2–3 minutes each) from independent filmmakers, exploring creativity, technology, and storytelling in the AI era.

Following the screening, engage in a live audience Q&A with the filmmakers, offering insights into their creative process and perspectives on AI’s role in media.

This event welcomes academics, faculty, thought leaders, policymakers, staff, and creative technologists. It follows an AI literacy workshop hosted by the OpenAI Academy, where OpenAI engineers and staff will facilitate hands-on exercises, discussions, and a presentation with 100–150 Georgia Tech students.

We are honored to feature a distinguished lineup of filmmakers. Minne Atairu, an AI artist and researcher, uses generative AI to examine Black historical archives, with her work exhibited at major institutions such as The Harvard Art Museums and Frieze London. Michaela Ternasky-Holland, an Emmy-winning and Peabody-nominated director, pioneers immersive storytelling, with projects showcased at Tribeca Festival and covered by TIME and Forbes. Nik Kleverov, an Emmy-recognized storyteller and Chief Creative Officer of Native Foreign, is known for his AI-powered film for Toys"R"Us and the iconic Narcos title sequence for Netflix. Ellie Foumbi, an award-winning Cameroonian American filmmaker, premiered her debut feature, Our Father, the Devil, at the Venice Film Festival, earning accolades at Tribeca and recognition as a BAFTA Breakthrough USA Fellow.

Don't miss this opportunity to discuss, learn, and shape AI with us in the OpenAI Forum.

About the Speakers:

Mark Riedl, Professor @ Georgia Tech School of Interactive Computing and Associate Director of the Georgia Tech Machine Learning Center

Dr. Mark Riedl is a professor in the Georgia Tech School of Interactive Computing and Associate Director of the Georgia Tech Machine Learning Center. Dr. Riedl’s research focuses on human-centered artificial intelligence—the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies that understand and interact with human users in more natural ways. Dr. Riedl’s recent work has focused on story understanding and generation, computational creativity, explainable AI, and teaching virtual agents to behave safely.

Minne Atairu, AI Artist and Researcher 

Minne Atairu is a researcher and interdisciplinary artist interested in generative artificial intelligence. Utilizing AI-mediated processes and materials, Atairu's work critically examines and illuminates understudied gaps in Black historical archives. Minne’s academic research focuses on Generative AI, Art and Educational policy in urban K-12 Art classrooms. Minne has exhibited at The Shed, New York (2023), Frieze, London (2023), The Harvard Art Museums, Boston (2022); Markk Museum, Hamburg (2021); SOAS Brunei Gallery University of London, London (2022); Fleming Museum of Art, Vermont (2021). Minne is the recipient of S+T+ARTS Prize Africa (2024), The Graham Foundation Grant for Research (2023), Community Engagement Grant from Columbia University's Center for Science and Society (2023), Columbia University's Artistic Dialogue Across Disciplines Grant (2022), the Lumen Prize for Art and Technology (2021). Instagram @minneatairu. https://minneatairu.com/ 

Michaela Ternasky-Holland, Emmy Award-Winning & Peabody-Nominated Director, Speaker & Consultant 

Michaela A. Ternasky-Holland is a Peabody-nominated and Emmy award-winning director who specializes in creating impactful stories using immersive and interactive technology. She is one of the first directors to create and premiere a short film utilizing OpenAI’s SORA platform, which screened at Tribeca Festival. Her prolific work in virtual reality animation has been recognized as Best Directing in XR by The Collision Awards, VR Film of Year Finalist by the International VR Awards, and Grand Prize Winner at The Philippine Animation Festival. As a nominee for the Producers Guild of America’s Innovation Award, she is also a consultant, speaker, and thought leader, who has been recognized as one of the 100 Original Voices of XR and listed as one of Blooloop’s 50 Immersive Influencers. Michaela’s past work has been curated by top institutions and festivals, such as the New York Public Library, Museum of the Moving Image, Venice International Film Festival, SXSW, and Tribeca Festival. Her projects have also been featured in renowned press outlets, such as TIME, Forbes, The Guardian, Variety, and Hollywood Reporter. She is lauded as an eloquent and moving speaker and has spoken at numerous international conferences, public institutions, and podcasts.Michaela was integral in publishing one of the first LGBTQIA+ virtual reality experiences to the Meta Quest store and co-authored a white paper highlighting virtual reality as a tool for learning, impact, and engagement. Her impact-driven focus has led her to work with companies and institutions such as The Alaska Native Heritage Center, Games for Change, The Human Rights Campaign, The Nobel Peace Center, and The United Nations.

Nik Kleverov, Creative Director, Entrepreneur, AI Specialist

Nik Kleverov is an Emmy-recognized storyteller and Chief Creative Officer of Native Foreign, an acclaimed agency known for its innovative approach to brand storytelling and distinctive design sensibility. His groundbreaking work, ranging from the viral AI-powered film for Toys"R"Us to the iconic Narcos title sequence for Netflix, showcases his talent for merging creativity with cutting-edge technology. As a leading voice on the transformative impact of AI in storytelling, Nik draws deeply from his personal history as an immigrant and the son of a nonconformist artist who faced persecution by the Soviet government. This unique background enriches his versatile creative approach, evident in his exploration of AI-driven narratives, visually compelling title sequences, and polished live-action commercials. Throughout his career, Nik has earned numerous awards within the advertising and creative industries, reflecting his excellence as both a creative director and an innovative entrepreneur.

Elli Foumbi, Filmmaker at Directors Guild of America

Ellie Foumbi is an award-winning Cameroonian American filmmaker whose debut film, Our Father, the Devil, premiered at the Venice Film Festival. It went on to screen at over 50 international film festivals where it won several prizes, including the audience award at the Tribeca Film Festival. It received universal critical acclaim, including Independent Spirit Award and Gotham Award Nominations. She's an alumna of Berlinale Talents and a BAFTA Breakthrough USA Fellow. Ellie was also named one of 25 New Faces of Independent Film by Filmmaker Magazine. Ellie holds an MFA in Directing from Columbia University’s School of the Arts.