Filmmaker Paul Feig has voiced strong concerns over the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the film industry, arguing that it poses a significant threat to the essence of storytelling. Speaking at the Nantucket Film Festival, where he was honoured with the Visionary Storyteller Tribute on June 20, 2026, Feig used his acceptance speech to draw a clear line between human creativity and AI’s capabilities.
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In a heartfelt address delivered inside the Siasconset Casino in Massachusetts, Feig emphasised the importance of storytelling as a fundamental aspect of human experience. “I’ve always loved the term storyteller,” he remarked. “Telling stories is one of humankind’s greatest gifts to the universe.” He lauded the contributions of various creators—including screenwriters, authors, and journalists—who transport audiences to different realms through their narratives.
Feig’s remarks focused on the unifying power of stories, asserting that they foster understanding and connection among people. He said, “Our stories unite us. They bring us closer together by breaking down the idea of ‘the other’ and making us all one.” By acknowledging the shared human condition, Feig underscored the multifaceted nature of individual experiences, from strength and confidence to vulnerability and neuroses.
The director, known for hit films like *Bridesmaids*, *Ghostbusters*, and *A Simple Favor*, underscored that storytelling holds a critical place in society, comparable to essential needs like food and air. However, he lamented that the rise of AI presents unsettling challenges for creative professionals. “Today, a lot of us in the storytelling business are being confronted by a rather terrifying technological development: AI,” he stated. He described this technology as “something literally none of us asked for,” pointing out that it is primarily being developed by billionaires seeking to maximise profits while cutting costs.
Feig’s speech conveyed both alarm and a call to action. He critiqued the notion that AI could replicate genuine creativity, suggesting that it merely regurgitates and rearranges existing material. “All AI can do is take what we’ve done and log it, scrap it, and mix and match it,” he explained. “But it’s not original. It’s our old ideas, our old experiences, things we wrote and lived through already.”
Challenging the audience to consider the implications of AI, Feig maintained that it is a mere reflection of past human endeavours. “Until the day we die, we keep changing, evolving, and having new experiences and thoughts,” he declared. “AI lives in our past. We live in our present, and we will live in our future.” This distinction serves as a critical reminder of the irreplaceable depth and dynamism that human storytellers bring to their craft.
In a motivating conclusion, Feig asserted the unique role that individuals play in shaping narratives. “It’s up to us, the storytellers—whether you’re in the business or not—to keep moving forward,” he encouraged. “Because we are not AI. We are not artificial intelligence. We are H.I. We are human intelligence.” This pivotal affirmation highlighted the necessity of embracing the depth of human experience in storytelling.
As Feig moves ahead with his current project, a sequel titled *The Housemaid’s Secret*, featuring Sydney Sweeney and Kirsten Dunst, the ongoing discourse surrounding AI in the creative industries remains pressing. His remarks at the Nantucket Film Festival resonate deeply in an era rapidly shifting towards technological reliance.
In conjunction with Feig’s accolade, the festival also celebrated other notable contributors to cinema. Writers Rashida Jones and Will McCormack were awarded the Special Achievement in Screenwriting Award for their work on *The Invite*, and actress Chloë Sevigny received the Compass Rose Award for Career Achievement for her role in *The Five Star Weekend*.
As discussions of AI’s integration into various sectors grow increasingly complex, Feig’s passionate advocacy for human storytelling serves as a timely reminder of the vital connection that narratives foster among communities. The challenge ahead lies not just in embracing innovation but also in preserving the rich tapestry of human experience that defines true storytelling.