Entertainment · Film · 4 hrs ago
Ava DuVernay defends using AI to animate photos in documentary 14th
Ava DuVernay used AI to animate archival photos in her new documentary, 14th.
The film examines the US Constitution’s 14th Amendment, including birthright citizenship, due process and equal protection under the law.
DuVernay says the AI animated public-domain photographs and was not used to invent people or imitate anyone’s voice.
The use of AI has drawn online criticism, as filmmakers and other creatives debate how the technology should be used.
The documentary grew out of DuVernay’s concerns about efforts to challenge birthright citizenship and other parts of the amendment.
14th opens in select theaters on November 27 and will begin streaming on Netflix on December 4.
Ava DuVernay says she used AI to animate public-domain archival photographs in her documentary 14th.
She says the film did not use AI to fabricate people, create avatars or approximate anyone’s voice.
DuVernay said the animation was intended to bring viewers closer to the period shown in the photographs.
The documentary examines the 14th Amendment and challenges to its principles, including birthright citizenship and equal protection.
14th is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on Nov. 27 and to begin streaming on Netflix on Dec. 4.
- Who
- Director Ava DuVernay used AI in the documentary 14th.
- What
- The film uses AI to animate public-domain archival photographs. DuVernay defended the choice.
- When
- She discussed the decision at AFI Fest on Sunday. The articles were published Oct. 26, 2026.
- Where
- The comments were made at AFI Fest. The film examines the 14th Amendment in the United States.
- Why
- DuVernay said the animation was intended to bring people closer to the time in history shown in the photographs.
Hollywood creatives opposing AI use
Ava DuVernay
Use of AI in filmmaking
Hollywood creatives opposing AI use
Many Hollywood creatives are pushing back against AI and taking steps to prevent it from interfering with their art.
Ava DuVernay
DuVernay said AI was used to animate public-domain photographs, not to fabricate people or approximate voices.
14th premiered at the New York Film Festival ahead of its planned December 4 Netflix release.
DuVernay discussed the film’s use of AI at AFI Fest.
14th is scheduled to begin a limited theatrical run.
14th is scheduled to begin streaming on Netflix.
- Director
- Ava DuVernay
- Documentary
- 14th
- AI use
- Animation of public-domain archival photographs
- Previous documentary
- 13th, released in 2016
- Limited theatrical release
- Nov. 27
- Netflix release
- Dec. 4
3 sources
What people are saying
We didn’t use it to fabricate a person or make an avatar of a person or approximate someone’s voice that said something they didn’t say.
We actually animated some photos that are in the public domain, and from what we’ve been hearing from people it does bring people closer to that time in history, which was our goal.
I think we’ve come to a place in filmmaking where we have to be really sober about the ways in which that technology is [used] across so much of the workflow.
I don’t know much about the 14th Amendment at that point but I know birthright citizenship is in it.