Introducing Andre Surya, the Runner-Up in the Horror/Thriller Category, 2026.

What was the original creative spark behind your film, and why did you choose to tell this story using AI?

Andre Surya: DINDA was actually my first serious AI short film, created around nine months ago. I chose horror because Indonesian audiences really love horror stories, and I personally love the genre too. At the same time, I felt horror was a good and “easy enough” starting point for me to practice AI filmmaking seriously.

My main goal was not only to make a scary short film, but also to learn consistency, camera angles, and continuity from frame to frame. For me, DINDA became an important exercise in understanding how far AI could support visual storytelling.

How did working with AI change your role as a filmmaker, artist or storyteller during the process?

Andre Surya: AI changed my role in a huge way because it allowed me to do almost everything by myself. I have been in the creative industry for more than 20 years, and I worked at Lucasfilm for five years as a digital artist, so I understand very well how much effort it normally takes to make even an independent short film.

I also studied VFX and animation, and I have experience with real shoots, green screen, and traditional production workflows. With AI, the process became much more direct. I could act as the filmmaker, visual artist, editor, and storyteller at the same time, which gave me a new kind of creative freedom.

Where did you feel most in control of the work, and where did the technology surprise you?

Andre Surya: I felt most in control in the visual direction, because that is my main expertise. I could guide the mood, framing, atmosphere, character look, and overall cinematic feeling of the film. What surprised me most was the speed and cost. Honestly, it felt like magic. What is possible now with AI would have been almost unthinkable just two years ago.

What part of the film feels most personal to you?

Andre Surya: The most personal part is when the ghost attacks the camera. I used my own voice for that moment, with many sound effects added, because I could not find the right sound or voice-over that matched what I imagined.

It became a small but personal detail in the film, because my own voice is hidden inside that scary moment.

What does being part of MetaMorph 2026 mean to you at this moment in the evolution of AI storytelling?

Andre Surya: It means a lot to me. It is truly an honor to be part of MetaMorph 2026, especially at this moment when AI storytelling is still evolving so quickly.