Carl Roberts 
The human-led AI-Native world-class animation, Critterz, is to redefine the filmmaking process. The feature-length animation is now in production.
Critterz, the first globally commercial family feature film created with artificial intelligence integrated throughout the production pipeline, is now in production. Critterz marks a significant moment in filmmaking, showcasing the synergy between human creativity and AI assistance. It offers world-class animation from industry veteran writers, animators, and artists. With its studio-level scale and ambition, Critterz revolutionises storytelling, production, and audience experience. Additionally, it ensures that artists receive fair compensation for their work. It has independent-level speed and budget.
The animated feature is a full-length adaptation of the 2023 viral short Critterz. Using OpenAI’s advanced creative tools, the team developed this project. James Lamont and Jon Foster, known for Paddington in Peru, wrote the script. Nik Kleverov, Co-Founder of Native Foreign, directed and produced it. Chad Nelson, Creative Strategist at OpenAI, serves as a Consulting Producer. Additionally, Allan Niblo and James Richardson from Vertigo Films (A Federation Studios Company) are Producers. The story follows the peaceful, joyful village of the Critterz. An unexpected stranger upsets it. This prompts two Critterz friends to leave their home and embark on an adventure. This adventure will change their community forever.
A CULTURAL AND GENERATIONAL SHIFT
Critterz represents a cultural and generational shift in cinema. It affects both how films are made and how they are experienced and shared. On the production side, it introduces an AI-accelerated workflow. This empowers streamlined, more agile teams and unlocks new creative possibilities. From a viewing perspective, the film is designed from the outset to extend across multiple formats. This allows the story to evolve into interactive, participatory experiences beyond the screen. Culturally, Critterz is built to live where audiences already are – in social spaces, games, and digital platforms. Consequently, it transforms a traditional film into a dynamic and interactive story world.
At the heart of this production is the Critterz team, who drew on OpenAI’s DALL•E in developing the original short. Since then, they have continued to experiment with AI, incorporating tools like GPT-5, Codex, and Sora to support the creative process. This production shows how filmmakers can use AI tools to empower their creativity, enhancing their work without replacing their artistic vision.
NICK KLEVEROV AND CHAD NELSON
Director and Producer Nik Kleverov and Consulting Producer Chad Nelson said:
“With Critterz, we’re not just making a film — we’re pioneering a new creative frontier and unlocking an entirely new way to tell stories. AI gives us the ability to iterate, imagine, and collaborate at a scale and speed that simply wasn’t possible before. Our ambition is to redefine what cinema can be: not just something you watch, but something you experience, shape, and share across formats, platforms, and communities. We’re incredibly excited about what’s ahead — the production process is already opening doors to ideas and innovations we couldn’t have imagined just a few years ago”
ALLAN NIBLO AND JAMES RICHARDSON
Allan Niblo and James Richardson, Producers and Co-Founders of Vertigo Films, added:
“We’re at a pivotal moment in animation – where technology is once again transforming how stories are told and brought to life. Just as computer animation revolutionized filmmaking with Toy Story, AI is now opening new creative frontiers with Critterz. If we can show the model works, this allows us to greenlight many more great movies taking bigger creative bets with the very best talent.”
A NEW FINANCIAL MODEL
The film also introduces a new financial model, one that directly benefits the artists behind it. Critterz ensures that its artists and creatives share in the upside. It’s a model that aligns commercial performance with creative ownership and offers a blueprint for a more equitable creative economy.
Critterz combines advanced technology with exceptional storytelling to establish a new standard for AI-driven cinema. It reimagines how creators produce animated features, allowing for faster timelines and greater creative flexibility. By using AI tools that enhance human creativity instead of replacing it, Critterz empowers artists to push the boundaries of their craft. The result is a visually stunning, artist-led film produced with unprecedented speed and efficiency, all without sacrificing storytelling or human creative endeavour.
Instagram: @critterzmovie
TikTok: @critterzmovie
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YouTube: @critterzmovie
The film is produced by Allan Niblo and James Richardson for Vertigo Films and Nik Kleverov for Native Foreign alongside Chad Nelson, serving as Consulting Producer. Jane Moore is Executive Producer for Vertigo Films.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
