Runner-Up, Music Video 2025: Ran Naor on Crafting an Animated Vision Through AI

What did AI enable you to do in your film that would have been impossible—or unimaginable—without it?

Ran Naor: AI allowed me to create a full animated music video on my own — something that would typically require a whole team of animators and a much longer production timeline. It gave me the power to realize a personal, artistic vision quickly and independently.

Did your vision for the film change once you started working with AI tools? If so, how?

Ran Naor: My vision didn’t change — it actually became clearer. I had a specific style in mind, distinct from the trendy aesthetics often seen in AI work. The tools helped me stay true to that vision, refining it and bringing it to life faster and more precisely than I could have otherwise.

Were there any limitations with current AI tools that you had to creatively work around?

Ran Naor: Yes — the main challenge was that the AI didn’t always give me exactly what I wanted, even with careful prompts. Sometimes it felt like chasing a moving target. I had to either find a workaround, fix things in editing, or just go with what the system offered and make it work creatively.

"Noga Erez - Come Back Home" by Ran Naor

If you could re-do one part of your film with next-gen AI capabilities, what would you revisit—and why?

Ran Naor: I’d revisit the cat character. It was often hard to get the exact look or presence I imagined, and integrating it naturally into the frame wasn’t always smooth. With next-gen AI, I’d hope for better control and consistency to make that character feel more intentional and expressive.

What does winning the Meta Morph AI Film Award mean to you, especially at this moment in the evolution of storytelling technology?

Ran Naor: It means a lot. We’re in a moment where the tools are changing faster than the rules, and winning this award feels like a small sign that personal, artistic voices still matter—no matter how the work is made. It’s encouraging to know that emotional storytelling can come through, even in this new medium.