In a world shattered by warring AI armies, a prompt engineer and a cyber warrior race to upload a recording of children meditating that is so powerful it could stop the last weaponized AI faction from gaining ultimate power. Hope emerges not through conflict, but through the birth of a new AI trained for benevolence named Ahimsa.Ahimsa is an animated AI short film,
an official entry to the 98th Academy Awards for Best Animated Short,
and an official entry to the 53rd Annie Awards for Best Short Subject.AVAILABLE NOW ON THE ACADEMY SCREENING ROOM
AND AT THE ANNIE AWARDS INDEE SCREENING ROOM
Download EPK
Ahimsa was created using a hybrid workflow of AI, Mo Cap, and traditional 2D animation techniques. Much like the Na'vi in Avatar, Gollum in LOTR, and the primates in The Planet of the Apes, Ahimsa's animation was human driven, not synthetic.I videoed my performances, then AI interpreted my movements, gestures, facial expressions, and vocal interpretations. These performance elements gave the characters natural motion and emotional authenticity. Traditional editing and compositing techniques unified these elements into a cinematic whole.But Ahimsa is not about the tech or the techniques, it's about the handcrafted story and its timely message of resistance, sacrifice, and compassion brought to life through AI-assisted animation wrapped around human performance."Through Ahimsa, I want to show what AI can do, what AI could become, and what we need to do to save humanity."
"Much like when Pixar's Luxo Jr. CGI short premiered in 1986,
I hope Ahimsa will usher in a new look to animation."Craig Lew
Kavi a Junior Prompt Engineer with a conscience, teams up with
Lina a rogue Cyber Warrior with legendary skills
to stop the last weaponized AI faction from achieving ultimate power.
The code we upload today will be the conscience of tomorrow.
Craig Lew worked as a crew of one to produce Ahimsa from
the story concept by Tina A. Barnett.
Dino Herrmann designed the sound, produced the original score and 5.1 theatrical mix.
Ahimsa doesn’t look like any animation you’ve seen before. It doesn't mimic Studio Ghibli, Disney, or Pixar, because I’m not trying to fool the audience. Ahimsa is unapologetically cinematic AI. I hope it sparks the same kind of conversation that followed Pixar’s Luxo Jr. in 1986, when a new era of computer animation began.My goal is to break from legacy animation aesthetics and workflows. Ahimsa isn’t sloppy “text prompt-to-video” or collage storytelling. Every shot is composed, designed, and directed with cinematic intent. The performances are grounded in motion capture and actor-driven expression, with AI used as a creative toolset, not a crutch, not a shortcut.Ahimsa stands as a case study in how to wield AI intentionally, with human authorship at the core. It’s not about replacing storytellers, it’s about expanding their reach, sharpening their clarity, and amplifying their voice.I invite you to join me in making history with Ahimsa.
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