OpenAI Drama 'Artificial' Sets Festival Premieres After Studio Switch
Luca Guadagnino's upcoming film 'Artificial' will have its world premiere at the New York Film Festival on October 5, followed by a gala screening at the London Film Festival on October 11. The movie, which stars Andrew Garfield as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, was dropped by Amazon MGM Studios earlier this year but was later acquired by Neon for a release aimed at Oscar qualification. Guadagnino has addressed the industry's handling of the project, emphasizing the human element over AI itself.
The film traces the dramatic November 2023 boardroom upheaval at OpenAI, when Altman was briefly ousted before being reinstated days later. Guadagnino's project faced an unusual setback when Amazon MGM Studios, which had financed development, exited the production in June — shortly after Amazon announced a $50 billion investment partnership with OpenAI. Neon subsequently acquired distribution rights after Netflix, A24, and Focus Features reportedly declined.
Garfield told Esquire he based his portrayal on the script, court transcripts, interviews, and research, never having met Altman personally. The London Film Festival runs October 7–18, with talent expected at both premiere events. The film's release strategy targets Oscar qualification for this year's awards cycle.
This film could shape public perception of AI leadership during a pivotal moment in the technology's integration into daily life. By dramatizing the OpenAI boardroom crisis, it may prompt wider conversation about accountability among tech executives and the concentration of power in a small number of industry figures. Audiences may also reconsider how Hollywood portrays real-world business figures, potentially influencing how the public understands corporate governance and technological ethics.