Gabriele Salvatores Heads Jury for Third Reply AI Film Festival

The Reply AI Film Festival returns for its third edition, focusing exclusively on short films created with artificial‑intelligence tools. Reply, a global group that builds AI‑enabled business models and educates youth on emerging tech, announced the full jury lineup on April 29, 2026.

Leading the panel is Gabriele Salvatores, the Oscar‑winning director of *Mediterraneo*. He said he is delighted to join the festival and believes generative AI can amplify a director’s talent and perspective when aligned with an authentic vision. Salvatores will be joined by a mix of Hollywood veterans and European industry leaders: animator Rob Minkoff, known for *The Lion King*; *Twilight* director Catherine Hardwicke; 30 Ninjas partner Jed Weintrob; former DreamWorks and Netflix executive Christina Lee Storm; AI & robotics lead Guillem Martinez Roura from the UN’s ITU “AI for Good” program; Sky Studios Italy EVP Nils Hartmann; CTO Filippo Rizzante; VFX supervisor Giacomo Mineo; film journalist Denise Negri; and Sky Italia journalist Brian Welk.

The jury will assess entries based on three criteria: creative concept, production quality, and the effective integration of AI. By gathering experts from directing, animation, visual effects, production and AI research, the festival aims to set a benchmark for how generative tools can be harnessed in storytelling.

The event signals a growing acceptance of AI as a legitimate creative partner rather than a novelty. Industry observers note that the presence of high‑profile filmmakers validates the medium and may encourage more studios to experiment with AI‑driven pipelines. For emerging creators, the festival offers a platform to showcase work that blends human vision with machine generation, potentially opening new funding and distribution channels.

What to watch next: the festival’s shortlist, announced in June, will reveal which AI‑enhanced narratives capture the jury’s approval and could shape the next wave of cinematic innovation.