ArtistDirect News
Google DeepMind Invests $75 Million in A24 to Develop AI-Assisted Storyboarding Tools
When Google’s DeepMind unit announced a $75 million investment in New York‑based indie studio A24 on 22 June 2026, the industry’s attention shifted to a new frontier in pre‑production. The deal, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, is not about creating AI‑generated films but about giving directors a tool that turns a script or a visual concept into a detailed storyboard.
A24, celebrated for titles such as Everything Everywhere All at Once and the 2026 hit Backrooms, will partner with DeepMind researchers to build an application that preserves the studio’s hallmark creative control. A24’s internal team, A24 Labs, will collaborate closely with DeepMind’s experts to design workflows that keep the director’s vision at the center. A24’s partner Scott Belsky has stressed that the resulting tool will differ from the “prompted generation” AI models that have raised concerns among filmmakers.
The partnership follows the remarkable commercial success of Backrooms, which opened to $81 million on its first weekend and surpassed $175 million domestically by early July. Produced on a modest $10 million budget, the film became A24’s highest‑grossing release to date, cementing the studio’s reputation for turning low‑budget projects into high‑impact cultural phenomena.
Google’s commitment comes as the company expands its DeepMind research into creative industries. Reuters reports that the partnership will not involve the use of A24’s intellectual property or data for training AI models. Instead, the focus will be on research and development that streamlines pre‑production workflows while safeguarding artistic integrity.
The deal is part of a broader industry caution after high‑profile incidents involving generative AI. In 2025, Coca‑Cola and McDonald’s faced backlash for releasing AI‑generated Christmas commercials, prompting many studios to hesitate. A24’s measured approach—investing in AI tools that enhance efficiency without compromising creative control—signals a deliberate strategy that aligns with the studio’s “unique artistic perspectives.”
A24 Labs, a team of roughly 20 employees, will spearhead the storyboard application. The tool is expected to generate visual representations of scenes rapidly, enabling directors to experiment with camera angles, lighting, and set design before the first take. This capability dovetails with A24’s broader mission to foster risk‑taking and creative experimentation, values that have defined its catalog.
Beyond storyboarding, the collaboration will explore new workflows that could benefit other facets of filmmaking, such as visual effects and sound design. While specific applications remain under development, the partnership aims to generate insights that may eventually be shared across the industry.
At present, A24 Labs and DeepMind are in the early stages of research and development. No public release date has been announced for the storyboard tool, and the partnership does not involve the creation of AI‑generated films or the use of actor likenesses.
In summary, Google’s DeepMind is investing $75 million in A24 to develop AI‑assisted storyboarding tools that enhance pre‑production workflows while preserving creative control. The deal follows the commercial triumph of Backrooms and reflects a cautious but strategic approach to integrating AI into independent filmmaking.
A24, celebrated for titles such as Everything Everywhere All at Once and the 2026 hit Backrooms, will partner with DeepMind researchers to build an application that preserves the studio’s hallmark creative control. A24’s internal team, A24 Labs, will collaborate closely with DeepMind’s experts to design workflows that keep the director’s vision at the center. A24’s partner Scott Belsky has stressed that the resulting tool will differ from the “prompted generation” AI models that have raised concerns among filmmakers.
The partnership follows the remarkable commercial success of Backrooms, which opened to $81 million on its first weekend and surpassed $175 million domestically by early July. Produced on a modest $10 million budget, the film became A24’s highest‑grossing release to date, cementing the studio’s reputation for turning low‑budget projects into high‑impact cultural phenomena.
Google’s commitment comes as the company expands its DeepMind research into creative industries. Reuters reports that the partnership will not involve the use of A24’s intellectual property or data for training AI models. Instead, the focus will be on research and development that streamlines pre‑production workflows while safeguarding artistic integrity.
The deal is part of a broader industry caution after high‑profile incidents involving generative AI. In 2025, Coca‑Cola and McDonald’s faced backlash for releasing AI‑generated Christmas commercials, prompting many studios to hesitate. A24’s measured approach—investing in AI tools that enhance efficiency without compromising creative control—signals a deliberate strategy that aligns with the studio’s “unique artistic perspectives.”
A24 Labs, a team of roughly 20 employees, will spearhead the storyboard application. The tool is expected to generate visual representations of scenes rapidly, enabling directors to experiment with camera angles, lighting, and set design before the first take. This capability dovetails with A24’s broader mission to foster risk‑taking and creative experimentation, values that have defined its catalog.
Beyond storyboarding, the collaboration will explore new workflows that could benefit other facets of filmmaking, such as visual effects and sound design. While specific applications remain under development, the partnership aims to generate insights that may eventually be shared across the industry.
At present, A24 Labs and DeepMind are in the early stages of research and development. No public release date has been announced for the storyboard tool, and the partnership does not involve the creation of AI‑generated films or the use of actor likenesses.
In summary, Google’s DeepMind is investing $75 million in A24 to develop AI‑assisted storyboarding tools that enhance pre‑production workflows while preserving creative control. The deal follows the commercial triumph of Backrooms and reflects a cautious but strategic approach to integrating AI into independent filmmaking.