SINCE 2023CULVER CITY

Photos

Paul Schrader speaks about AI filmmaking at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

Gareth Edwards smiles and Zoey Zhao listens, both holding mics, as they take a question from the dark audience. — Director Gareth Edwards and Zoey Zhao (Dreamina) listen to a question from an audience member.Photo: Kseniia

From high above, a sea of seated attendees fills the vast Stage 15 under its lighting grid, screens glowing. — Stage 15 fills up before the beginning of AI on the Lot.Photo: Irina Logra

Todd Terrazas, in a white suit, runs down the center aisle to the stage, shown on big screens on both sides. — AI on the Lot co-founder Todd Terrazas sprints towards stage.Photo: Irina Logra

A huge LED screen reading "We simulated this conference already" glows over a crowd in a dark soundstage. — An LED-screen installation showcasing a simulated version of the conference.Photo: Kseniia

Gareth Edwards smiles mid-story, mic in hand and palm open, framed by audience members' heads. — Gareth Edwards jokes about AI filmmaking on stage at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

A long line of attendees waits behind stanchions under leafy trees, blue registration tents along the street. — Attendees line up at registration at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Irina Logra

Adi Sideman pitches his company Popcorn.co during the Startup Showcase at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

Rows of attendees at long tables work on matching laptops, one in front typing intently, in a dark stage. — Workshop attendees follow along with conference-provided laptops.Photo: Kseniia

The center aisle of a full Stage 15 between camera rigs, Paul Schrader on the stage and on twin screens. — Screenwriter Paul Schrader gives his keynote address at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

Tommy Wu, in glasses and black, stands inside a dome of projected Hieronymus Bosch paintings, visitors behind him. — Tommy Wu stands in front of an immersive Hieronymus Bosch installation he designed for AI on the Lot 2026.

Verena Puhm, in a red leather jacket, raises her hand to the crowd as Maxwell Kangkolo looks on, mic in hand. — Hosts Verena Puhm and Maxwell Kangkolo poll the audience.Photo: Amy Opoka

Seen from high up, a full Stage 15 watches five panelists on the blue main stage, shown on two giant screens. — A panel about animation at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Kseniia

Kavan 'the Kid' Cardoza, in sunglasses and a baseball jersey, talks into a mic beside a screen showing Suno. — Kavan 'the Kid' Cardoza explains how to score films using Suno.Photo: Amy Opoka

Crowds fill the sunny lot outside the open doors of Stage 15, its giant "15" painted on the soundstage wall. — Attendees mill outside of Stage 15 on the Amazon MGM Studios lot during AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Irina Logra

Cameron Kostopoulos throws both arms in the air at the lectern as a stagehand with a headset adjusts the mic. — Founder Cameron Kostopoulos (Fermata) celebrates on stage during the Startup Showcase.Photo: Amy Opoka

Seen from above, a happy hour crowd mills around giant "Made in Ozora" screens of surreal painted art. — An immersive art installation during the Stage 15 happy hour at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Kseniia

Justin Wilkes gestures as he speaks into a mic, a fellow panelist beside him looking down at his own. — President of Imagine Entertainment Justin Wilkes speaks on stage at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Oliver Young

AI on the Lot Co-Founder Todd Terrazas gives Day 1 opening remarks.Photo: Irina Logra

Close-up of a rapt audience in the dark, one attendee with a laptop open, all looking up toward the stage. — Attendees watch a presentation during the AI Studio Spotlight.Photo: Kseniia

Parag Mital, Ian Eck and Oscar Sharp in director's chairs before a glowing blue AI on the Lot backdrop. — Parag Mital, Ian Eck, & Oscar Sharp on the main stage of AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

Seen from above, a crowd gathers at white and blue registration tents in front of the brick Culver Hotel. — Registration opens up on Day 1 outside the Culver Hotel.Photo: Kseniia

Nathaniel Mahowald gestures at a mic in a black T-shirt, a big screen of chat messages glowing behind him. — Pickaxe CEO Nathaniel Mahowald teaches AI tools during a workshop at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

A full, raked theater watches a panel beneath a giant screen reading "The New Animation Pipeline." — A standing-room-only panel about AI and animation at the Culver Theater.Photo: Oliver Young

Matt Nix speaks at a mic in front of screens showing his photo and posters for Burn Notice, True Lies and The Good Guys. — Showrunner Matt Nix teaches attendees how to pitch projects to studios and networks.Photo: Kseniia

A wide view of a soundstage audience in rows facing a small stage where Gareth Edwards sits beside a big screen. — Attendees watch director Gareth Edwards on stage at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

A shaggy brown dog sits calmly on a concrete floor among attendees' legs and sneakers. — A dog at AI on the Lot.Photo: Kseniia

CEO Savannah Niles (Wide Worlds) on stage during the Startup Showcase at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

Five panelists sit before a big screen showing their headshots and logos, including ElevenLabs and Stan Lee's. — ElevenLabs announces their partnership with the Stan Lee estate at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Irina Logra

Dave Clark, in sunglasses and a light jacket, looks out over a busy line of attendees outdoors. — Filmmaker Dave Clark surveys the situation at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Oliver Young

A dark, packed Stage 15 seen from the side, Paul Schrader at a lectern far off and on a big screen above. — Attendees on Stage 15 watch Paul Schrader's Day 2 keynote address.Photo: Amy Opoka

An attendee sits still before a tall rig of dozens of cameras as a technician runs the 3-D scan. — An attendee gets 3-D scanned at AI on the Lot.Photo: Kseniia

Mike Gioia speaks into a handheld mic in front of a shimmering blue and silver wall projection. — AI on the Lot co-founder Mike Gioia gives opening remarks for Day 2 of AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

Close-up of seated audience members, one in a wide-brimmed hat, listening intently in a crowded hall. — Crowd members during AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Irina Logra

Jon Erwin, mic in hand and thumb up, fills two big screens flanking the blue stage before a full audience. — Director Jon Erwin speaks on stage about hybrid AI filmmaking.Photo: Kseniia

Clanker Magazine's art display: framed screens and placards hung on a blue-lit steel truss in a dark stage. — An art display curated by Clanker Magazine at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

Ames O'Connor hugs a laughing Ian Eck from behind outside a white soundstage, both in patterned shirts. — Producer Ames O'Connor hugs co-founder and creative director Ian Eck in joy after a successful Day 1.

A long line of attendees snakes across a sunny, tree-shaded plaza toward a domed tower under a cloudy sky. — Attendees lining up before registration opens for Day 1 of AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Irina Logra

CEO/Founder Sophia Xing (Plotparty) pitches during the Startup Showcase.Photo: Amy Opoka

A front row of attendees in bright jackets leans in and smiles, watching the stage from their seats. — Audience members smile during a product announcement at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Kseniia

Gaz Alazraki gestures as he asks a question into a mic, Maxwell Kangkolo holding it for him and watching. — Director Gaz Alazraki asks a question. Host Maxwell Kangkolo watches with interest.Photo: Amy Opoka

Albert Cheng talks with a fellow speaker in director's chairs on stage, seen past a packed, out-of-focus crowd. — Albert Cheng (Head of AI Studios) speaks on stage during AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Irina Logra

A dark theater full of attendees watches a big screen showing a fighter plane diving through smoke. — Attendees watch a clip during a session at the Culver Theater.Photo: Oliver Young

Ian Eck speaks at a lectern on a blue curved stage while a giant screen beside him shows a simulated attendee app. — AI on the Lot co-founder and creative director Ian Eck presents a simulated version of the conference on Stage 15.Photo: Amy Opoka

Seen from above, a seated crowd fills every chair while more attendees stand along the back wall. — Attendees during a standing-room-only session at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Kseniia

Rows of attendees with laptops face presenter screens in a dark soundstage set up for a workshop. — Attendees learn about OpenClaw agents during a workshop at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

Soleio Cuervo, in a tan suede jacket, speaks into a mic beside a fellow panelist on a dark stage. — Designer & Investor Soleio Cuervo speaks on stage at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Oliver Young

Paul Schrader predicts AI's impact on Hollywood at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

An attendee in sunglasses and a black leather jacket checks her phone at the registration tent amid a crowd. — An attendee at the registration desk.Photo: Kseniia

Audience members raise their hands toward the stage under a "Dreamina AI: Storytelling and World Building" slide. — Director Gareth Edwards queries the crowd of filmmakers at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

Squid speaks at a mic beside two big screens of code and video tools, a packed workshop facing him. — Entrepreneur Squid teaches attendees how to vibe code during a workshop.Photo: Irina Logra

Attendees in jackets stand close together and listen in a dim, plant-filled room during a private happy hour. — Attendees listen to remarks during a closed happy hour.Photo: Kseniia

Verena Puhm, in a red leather jacket, listens as a seated attendee answers into her handheld mic. — An attendee explains their goals for the conference to host Verena Puhm.Photo: Amy Opoka

Five panelists in director's chairs on a blue stage, one in an orange hoodie speaking, one in a straw hat. — Jorge R. Gutierrez, Richard Reid, Albie Hecht, Jessica Fan, & Rebecca Keegan at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Kseniia

A smiling attendee in a green floral blouse walks along a roped-off path on the lot beside a friend. — An attendee walks onto the Culver Studios lot for Day 1 of AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Irina Logra

Mike Gioia on stage beside a row of empty director's chairs, seen from behind the front rows of the audience. — AI on the Lot co-founder Mike Gioia on stage introducing keynote speaker Paul Schrader.Photo: Amy Opoka

Panelists sit beneath a huge screen of a painted gallery hall with the word "Flora," the theater audience below. — A session about film criticism and AI in the Culver Theater.Photo: Oliver Young

A presenter at a mic beside a giant screen of a node-based AI workflow building a character model sheet. — A workshop about node-based workflows at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

Ted Tremper laughs into a mic in a checked shirt, leaning back in his chair on a dark stage. — Producer Ted Tremper on stage at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Kseniia

Empty director's chairs on stage face a huge crowd, the lighting grid and bright lights hanging overhead. — Audience members waiting for a session to begin at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Irina Logra

Savannah Niles at a lectern on the blue stage beside a big screen showing her team, partners and investors. — CEO Savannah Niles (Wide Worlds) pitching on stage during the Startup Showcase.Photo: Amy Opoka

A dense crowd gathers outside a row of white registration tents and a VIP sign under leafy plaza trees. — A large crowd outside the registration tents on the Culver City town plaza.Photo: Oliver Young

Jon Erwin gestures mid-answer between two fellow panelists in director's chairs against a deep blue backdrop. — Director Jon Erwin speaks on stage at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Kseniia

Attendees with laptops at draped tables watch CG Pro's virtual production slides on large screens in a dark stage. — Attendees during a workshop about virtual production from CG Pro.Photo: Amy Opoka

Todd Terrazas, Dan O'Brien and Albert Cheng chat, arms crossed and smiling, in a bright green room. — Todd Terrazas, Dan O'Brien, and Albert Cheng talk in the green room.Photo: Irina Logra

Attendees sit before a giant screen mapping a dense network of dots and asking which people and topics connect it. — Attendees mingle beside a simulation showcase at AI on the Lot.Photo: Kseniia

Parag Mital, Ian Eck, Oscar Sharp and Maxwell Kangkolo laugh together in front of the blue stage wall. — Parag Mital, Ian Eck, Oscar Sharp, & host Maxwell Kangkolo share a laugh between sessions.Photo: Amy Opoka

Attendees stroll and queue along stanchions on a tree-lined plaza beside a historic building and blue tents. — Attendees in the Culver City town plaza during AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Irina Logra

Dan O'Brien, in a denim shirt, talks into a mic in a director's chair, a panelist in white seated beside him. — Culver City councilmember Dan O'Brien talks on stage at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

A packed audience fills rows under warm spotlights in a cavernous stage, faces turned toward the front. — Attendees wait with anticipation for a session to begin on Stage 15.Photo: Kseniia

Dave Clark speaks at a clear lectern with a laptop, a cluster of microphones in front of him. — Filmmaker Dave Clark gives a master's seminar in the Culver Theater.Photo: Oliver Young

A packed audience faces the curved blue main stage, its twin side screens showing a red-lit film still. — Filmmaker PJ Ace presents on stage during the AI Studio Spotlight at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

Speakers on a small stage under a big screen reading "Dreamina Seedance 2.0," facing a full audience. — Dreamina announces their new Octo product line at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Irina Logra

Gareth Edwards, notes in hand, listens as Noah Wagner raises a hand to make a point in a small huddle of filmmakers. — Gareth Edwards and filmmaker Noah Wagner exchange ideas after a session.Photo: Amy Opoka

Attendees line up across a sunny plaza past pink roses, a gold-domed tower behind them. — Attendees wait for registration to open at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Kseniia

Maxwell Kangkolo, in an olive jacket, speaks into a mic in the middle of the seated audience. — Host Maxwell Kangkolo queries the audience before a session.Photo: Amy Opoka

Albert Cheng speaks into a mic from a tall director's chair beside a second speaker, the projected wall above. — Albert Cheng on stage during AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Irina Logra

A presenter in a wide-brimmed hat demos on a mic before a huge white "Product Demo" screen, attendees seated below. — A creative gives a product demo in the workshop stage.Photo: Kseniia

A young man in a backwards cap rests his chin on his hand, deep in thought, in a dark theater audience. — An audience member strokes his chin in thought during a session.Photo: Oliver Young

Paul Schrader reads at a lectern, inset in close-up beside a wide shot of him before a seated audience. — Filmmaker Paul Schrader speaks on stage at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

A full Stage 15 crowd settles in under screens reading "Day 1 Opening Remarks," the shimmering wall behind. — Attendees prepare for Day 1 of AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Irina Logra

Ian Eck answers reporter Julia Harris's questions into her handheld mic, a man in an orange jacket beside them. — AI on the Lot co-founder and creative director Ian Eck gives a rare interview to reporter Julia Harris.Photo: Kseniia

Nathaniel Mahowald points to a big screen as he speaks at a mic, an attendee in a floral dress listening nearby. — Founder Nathaniel Mahowald emphatically encourages attendees to start a business using AI agents.Photo: Amy Opoka

Five panelists in a row on a dark theater stage under a blue screen naming them, the audience in shadow. — A panel about microdramas and AI production pipelines in the Culver Theater.Photo: Oliver Young

A dark Stage 15 audience faces a distant lit stage and screen, where Cameron Kostopoulos stands at a lectern. — Attendees at Stage 15 watch Cameron Kostopoulos during the Startup Showcase at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

An attendee holds out his phone at a laptop-lined registration table as volunteers check in the line. — An attendee picks up his badge from the registration desk.Photo: Irina Logra

Todd Terrazas, in a cream suit, gestures with a mic on stage and on the giant screen beside him. — Todd Terrazas gives opening remarks on Stage 15.Photo: Kseniia

Verena Puhm and Maxwell Kangkolo talk into mics on stage, he with a hand on his hip, in front of a shimmering wall. — Hosts Verena Puhm and Maxwell Kangkolo on stage at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

Jessica Fan smiles at the panelist in an orange hoodie as he talks, the five seated across a blue stage. — Jessica Fan (Amazon MGM Studios) leads a panel about animation and AI.Photo: Kseniia

A packed workshop of attendees at long black-draped tables with laptops under a steel stairway on Stage 8. — Attendees during a workshop on Stage 8 at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

A man in a cap and glasses asks Bryn Mooser a question as Mooser listens, hand on his chin, in a dark crowd. — An audience member asks Bryn Mooser a question after his panel at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Oliver Young

A packed, dark Stage 15 audience watches Albert Cheng and a fellow speaker, shown on a big side screen. — A full house watches Albert Cheng on stage.Photo: Irina Logra

AI on the Lot co-founder Mike Gioia welcomes attendees to day 2 of AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

A big audience in rows faces a Google presentation in a high, beamed stage, sunlight pouring through a door. — Attendees during a Google presentation at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Kseniia

Attendees mingle and queue by stanchions and white and blue tents on a tree-lined town plaza. — Attendees mingle on the Culver City town plaza during the conference.Photo: Oliver Young

Gareth Edwards gestures with a mic while Zoey Zhao, in black, sits beside him on a dark stage before the crowd. — Director Gareth Edwards talking on stage with Zoey Zhao at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

Todd Terrazas on a distant stage and on twin screens, facing a vast, dark crowd that fills Stage 15. — Todd Terrazas gives opening remarks for Day 1 of AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Irina Logra

AI on the Lot co-founder and creative director Ian Eck speaks on stage about a simulation project.Photo: Kseniia

A dark, crowded Stage 15 audience watches a speaker at a lectern on the far blue stage beside a big screen. — Attendees watch the Startup Showcase at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

Attendees with bags queue across a paved plaza under trees, a gold-domed tower rising behind them. — Attendees lining up before registration opens for Day 1 of AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Irina Logra

Maxwell Kangkolo and Verena Puhm with mics on the stage, seen past rows of audience heads. — Hosts Maxwell Kangkolo and Verena Puhm on stage.Photo: Amy Opoka

A huge, dark Stage 15 crowd faces the far stage, its twin screens showing a glowing AI-made fantasy world. — A Stage 15 session at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Kseniia

Mike Gioia gestures as he speaks, empty director's chairs beside him on the shimmering projected backdrop. — Mike Gioia gives opening remarks at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka

A full, sunlit workshop stage audience faces a small dais where presenters stand by a product slide. — Attendees watch a product announcement at AI on the Lot.Photo: Irina Logra

Gareth Edwards, in a navy jacket, gestures with a microphone, seen over the heads of the audience. — Film Director Gareth Edwards talking on stage at AI on the Lot 2026.Photo: Amy Opoka