Editor’s Notes:
It is with great excitement that we present the world premiere of ‘Infinite Dreams’, a stunning short film crafted by Amsterdam-based studio AIdeal™. This marks another milestone for the studio, whose previous work, ‘Prince of Nigeria’, earned accolades at Cannes as part of the Saatchi & Saatchi New Directors’ Showcase.
Known for their exceptional artistry, Aideal™ continues to push creative boundaries, blending live-action with AI to weave a profound narrative set in a visually striking ‘Latin Futurist’ world, as the creators describe it.
‘Infinite Dreams’ is a fresh, poetic vision, offering a meticulously crafted aesthetic and a deeply inspiring story. We invite the creative community to immerse themselves in this extraordinary film and celebrate the artistry behind it.
What inspired you to use dreams as the central theme of Infinite Dreamers, and how do they reflect the story you wanted to tell?
Dreams felt like the perfect metaphor for the resilience and creativity of the Latino workforce. These workers often spend hours commuting, juggling life and work, and in those quiet moments of rest, dreams become their escape. We wanted to capture that, how their aspirations, memories, and even fantasies take shape. By focusing on their dreams, we could visually explore their inner worlds while celebrating their contributions, turning something as routine as a commute into a visually rich and deeply emotional experience.
Why did you choose AI as the creative tool for visualizing the dream sequences, and what made it feel like the right choice for this project?
AI was the perfect match for creating dreamlike visuals. Its slightly imperfect, surreal quality captures the fragmented and colourful nature of dreams, making it feel otherworldly. Traditional production methods wouldn’t have allowed us to explore this level of visual imagination within the budget and time constraints. At AIdeal™, we always give AI a clear role in our projects, and for Infinite Dreamers, it became a vital part of the storytelling process – helping us craft a visual language that brings dreams to life while adding deeper meaning to the narrative.
How did you approach blending live-action footage with AI-generated visuals to create a cohesive narrative?
It was all about balance. The live-action footage grounds the story in reality – the bus scenes, the faces of the characters – while the AI-generated visuals bring the dream sequences to life. We spent a lot of time ensuring the transitions between the two felt seamless, like a natural shift from reality to imagination. Colour grading and lighting were key to keeping everything cohesive, and we worked with Raúl Lavado to make sure the film didn’t feel like two separate worlds but one continuous, flowing experience.
What tools and techniques did you use to create the visuals, and how did they influence the final look of the film?
We used MidJourney for imaginative visuals, Luma for transitions, and Runway for video generation. These tools allowed us to experiment with textures, lighting, and styles to create a surreal and cohesive look. The process was intensive: we generated thousands of images and videos, refining them to find the best matches for the story. Each tool had a specific role – MidJourney set the visual tone, Luma ensured smooth transitions, and Runway added motion and dynamism. Together, they gave the film its distinct dreamlike aesthetic.
How did working with collaborators like the writer, composer, and colourist shape the creative process and bring the story to life?
Collaboration was at the heart of this project. The film in itself sends a message to the industry: many humans were involved in the making of this short film. Isaac Gomez, the writer, helped shape the narrative structure and give the characters a voice, grounding the story in authentic experiences. Shiloh Rodriguez, the composer, added a cinematic and emotional layer: the music works almost like another character, guiding the audience through the dreams. Each collaborator brought a unique perspective, and together, we created something that felt human and emotionally resonant, even with all the technology involved.
What were the biggest challenges in using AI for this film, especially when dealing with experimental or emerging tools?
The biggest challenge was consistency. AI tools are unpredictable – one image might be perfect, while the next feels off. We often had to generate hundreds of variations to get the right result. Another hurdle was integrating AI visuals with live-action footage so they felt seamless. It took patience, manual adjustments, and plenty of trial and error. Despite these challenges, AI allowed us to create visuals that traditional methods couldn’t match, making the extra effort worthwhile.
How did you ensure the film’s visuals captured the emotional depth and cultural significance of the story?
We started with moodboarding and extensive cultural research, drawing on real Latino references like architecture, textiles, and landscapes, to define a tone that was warm, vibrant, and dreamlike, but also deeply personal. Brunei’s Brazilian-Peruvian background was essential in shaping the dream sequences, ensuring they felt authentic and culturally resonant. Her sensitivity brought depth to the visuals, making them speak to the heart of the story. Giulia, who is Venezuelan, worked on the last chapter, bringing her energy and unique perspective as both an editor and director. Her Latina roots added another layer of authenticity to the film. It wasn’t just about how it looked – it was about making the visuals truly connect with the characters’ inner worlds.
How did you go about finding the right people to represent the characters in the story, and what guided your casting choices?
We started by imagining the characters with AI, experimenting with their “faces.” Then, we searched for real people who matched these imagined profiles. We like to call this “reverse casting”. Beyond looks, we focused on authenticity: real people (not actors) who could embody the spirit of the characters and connect with their stories. We wanted the audience to feel a genuine connection, so casting wasn’t just about appearances but also about capturing the subtle emotions and humanity of these roles.
How does the dreamlike aesthetic of AI-generated content connect to the film’s themes and the portrayal of the Latino workforce?
The dreamlike aesthetic mirrors the duality of their lives: the harsh realities of work and the limitless possibilities of imagination. AI’s surreal, fragmented visuals reflect the way dreams feel: shifting, unpredictable, and often deeply personal. This allowed us to visually celebrate the creativity and resilience of the Latino workforce. By showing their dreams in such a fantastical way, we could highlight their inner worlds (their hopes, fears, and aspirations) turning what might seem like ordinary lives into something extraordinary.
What impact do you hope the dream sequences will have on the audience, both emotionally and intellectually?
We hope the dream sequences feel like a journey; one that’s both visually stunning and emotionally moving. They’re meant to invite the audience into the characters’ inner worlds, showing not just their struggles but their aspirations and creativity. Intellectually, we want people to think about the often-overlooked contributions of the Latino workforce and the universality of dreaming as a form of resilience. Emotionally, we hope the visuals inspire awe and empathy, making these stories feel deeply relatable despite their surreal presentation.
How does this film demonstrate the possibilities of AI in storytelling, especially when working on a deeply human narrative?
AI allowed us to visualize dreams in ways traditional techniques couldn’t, giving us a new way to express abstract ideas. Its ability to create vivid, unexpected imagery added a layer of magic to the story, making the characters’ inner worlds feel tangible. But the key was balance – using AI as a partner rather than a replacement for human creativity. It expanded our creative toolkit and showed how technology and storytelling can work together to create richer, more compelling narratives.
Why was it important for you to use real actors for the voiceovers, and how did their performances enhance the storytelling?
Using real actors for the voiceovers brought an authentic, emotional depth to the film. Also, AI visuals can feel distant, so the voices of Davi Santos, Chris Rivas and Karen Rodriguez helped ground the story in humanity. Their performances added nuance: subtle pauses, inflections, and emotions that AI simply can’t replicate. These voices became the bridge between the audience and the characters, making the story relatable and personal. It reminded us that while AI can create stunning visuals, it’s the human element that truly connects with the audience.
What did you learn about AI’s capabilities and limitations through this project, and how did that inform your creative decisions?
AI is fantastic for exploration and generating unique ideas, but it can be unpredictable and inconsistent. This taught us the importance of patience and precision when working with the technology. Our editor, Rob Rafalat, played a crucial role in refining AI outputs and blending them seamlessly with live-action footage. Ultimately, we learned that AI works best as a collaborator. It generates raw material, but human guidance is what turns that material into meaningful storytelling.
How do you balance the use of cutting-edge technology with traditional storytelling elements to ensure the film feels grounded and personal?
The key is to always prioritise the story. Technology, no matter how advanced, is just a tool to help tell it. We made sure that the characters, emotions, and themes were at the heart of the film, using AI to enhance rather than overshadow them. Traditional elements like live-action scenes, real voices, and a carefully written script helped ground the narrative. By blending these familiar elements with AI’s creative possibilities, we created something innovative yet deeply relatable.
How is Infinite Dreamers different from other projects you’ve worked on, both in its creative process and final outcome?
Our first AI-driven short, ‘The Nigerian Prince’, was fully created with AI because the story called for it – it used fake technology to reflect the idea of a scam. With Infinite Dreamers, we wanted to focus more on the human side of storytelling. That’s why we included live-action and used AI to support the story instead of driving it completely. This gave the film a more personal and emotional feel, blending technology with human connection.
What role does cultural identity play in the story, and how does the film connect that identity to a futuristic vision?
Cultural identity is at the core of this film. It’s a celebration of the Latino workforce and their resilience, creativity, and dreams. By using AI to visualise these dreams, we connected their lived experiences to a futuristic vision, showing how their aspirations shape the future. It was about blending the richness of their culture with the possibilities of technology, creating a story that felt both deeply rooted in reality and forward-looking.
How do you see AI evolving in the filmmaking process, and what role do you think it will play in the future of the industry?
AI will become a standard tool in filmmaking, streamlining processes and enabling creative possibilities that were previously unthinkable. It won’t replace human creativity but will amplify it, pushing filmmakers to think differently and experiment more. However, the key will be knowing when to use it and when it’s not necessary. AI is a powerful collaborator, but at its core, filmmaking will always rely on human connection, storytelling, and intuition. The future will be about blending these strengths thoughtfully.
How does ‘Infinite Dreamers’ reflect the concept of Latin Futurism, and why was this theme important to explore in this project?
Latin Futurism is about imagining a future that’s shaped by Latino culture, creativity, and resilience. In ‘Infinite Dreamers’, we took this idea and visualised it through dreams, blending the traditional with the futuristic. It was important to explore this theme because it’s often overlooked in mainstream media. By combining cultural identity with advanced technology, we wanted to show that Latinos are not just part of the present but integral to shaping the future.
What message about the relationship between humans and AI do you hope audiences will take away from the film?
We hope people see AI as a way to simplify the process of making films, not as a replacement for any discipline. It’s a tool that makes storytelling faster and more accessible, opening doors for more people to create. But the heart of any film still comes from human ideas, emotions, and stories. AI doesn’t replace that, it supports it, making the creative process more open, not less.
CREDITS:
Directed by AIDEAL™
Written by Isaac Gómez
Music Composer: Shiloh Rodriguez
Production Company: Ntertain Studios
Executive Producers: Lex Borrero, Santiago Zapata, Jairo Alvarado
AI Production /
Production Company: Studio Aideal
Executive Producers: Víctor Morón, Jose Hernández
AI Concept Creator (Healer): Brunei Deneumostier
Master Editor: Rob Rafalat
Editor: Giulia Jiménez
Live-Action Production /
Production Company: Future Frank
Executive Producer: Miguel Teixeira
Head of Production: Alex Heringa
Producer: Hana Grasse
Production Manager: Merijn Swinkels
Cast /
Construction Worker: Welington Morla
Scrub Nurse: Manuel Costa Fortes
Soccer Player: Yismeiry Nairerny Bueno
Tlachihualtepetl: Davi Santos
Ticitl: Christopher Rivas
Ollamalitztin: Karen Rodríguez
Crew /
Director of Photography: Tarzan Rutgers
1st Assistant Director: Andrej Kraus
1st Assistant Camera: Jelle Bokelmann
Gaffer: Stern Nordsiek
Best Boy / Grip: Mees Roozen
Makeup Artist: Danny Jansen
Bus Driver: Jack Joosse
Rental House: Camera Rentals
Sound /
Sound Company: Hasan Estudio
Sound Designer / Re-recording Mixer: Jesús Arteaga
SFX Editors: Andres Gil, Saul Ramos
Color /
Post-Production Company :Misterio Color Lab
Colour Grader: Raul Lavado
Colour Production Director: Francisco Monje
Graphic Design /
Designers: Tiger Killers, Jose Hernández
Lettering: Gabriel Nazoa