Electric Dreaming: Lab

Electric Dreaming Lab:
AI For Film & Moving Image

Apply to join the cohort
(Places limited)
Screen South Digital Hub
Glassworks, Mill Bay, Folkestone CT20 1JG
10:00 – 17:00
Wed 11, Thu 12 March & Thu 30 April 2026

The Electric Dreaming Lab is a two-day, hands-on intensive workshop for filmmakers and creatives working with moving image who want to explore how emerging generative AI tools can be used to develop high-quality video work.

Building on our open introductory session, this lab moves from discussion to practice. Working in a small cohort with artists and technologists BRiGHTBLACK, participants will test workflows, experiment with tools, and develop a short prototype or proof-of-concept that extends their existing practice.

The lab is designed for practitioners who already work with film or video and are curious about how AI might support editing, post-production, sound, narrative development and visual experimentation. No prior AI experience is required.

Over two days you will:
• Explore how generative AI can enhance and transform moving-image work
• Test practical workflows for video, sound and post-production
• Experiment with tools under close supervision in a small group setting
• Develop a short prototype based on your own project idea
We encourage participants to bring an existing piece of footage, project, or concept that they want to work on during the lab.

The lab will introduce a curated selection of current tools and methods. These may include:

  • – Generative video workflows (image-to-video, video-to-video, first-frame techniques)
  • – Creating alternate shots and visual effects using AI
  • – AI-generated music and sound design
  • – Voice cloning and AI narration
  • – Audio repair and enhancement
  • – Automated transcription and subtitling
  • – Using large language models to support screenwriting, treatments and pitch materials
  • – Discussion of emerging forms such as real-time and “infinitely explorable” video

This is an experimental field and tools are evolving rapidly; the lab will focus on repeatable, practical workflows rather than attempting to cover everything.

This lab is for:

  • – Filmmakers, video artists and moving-image practitioners
  • – Creatives from other disciplines with an established interest in video
  • – Practitioners comfortable working with digital video files and timelines

You do not need prior AI experience.

This lab is not suitable for beginners to filmmaking or those looking for a purely theoretical introduction.

Participants should:

  • – Bring a project idea or existing footage to work on
  • – Bring their own laptop if it meets the technical requirements (Processor: Core i5 (10th Gen) | RAM: 16GB | GPU: RTX 3070)
  • – Studio workstations will also be available.

Participants will receive:

  • – Access to Screen South’s Digital Hub Studio workstations to continue developing their work over a month*
  • – A show and share event with BRiGHTBLACK on 30 April

*Machines and workspace availability is limited

This lab offers:

  • – Practical, hands-on experience with emerging AI tools for film
  • – Time and support to experiment in a focused environment
  • – A chance to develop new workflows that can be integrated into your practice
  • – A small peer cohort and ongoing access to facilities

Places are limited to ensure a high level of support.

Simon Wilkinson, BRiGHTBLACK
Myra Appanah, BRiGHTBLACK

About BRiGHTBLACK

BRiGHTBLACK create immersive playable exhibitions, music, fashion, VR, video games and printed media. Their work has featured at Tate Modern and toured to 36 nations.

Their research and expertise centres around the use of immersive technologies, real time engines, artificial intelligence, electronic music, digital video and software development for story making, live performance and interactive artworks

ELECTRIC DREAMING is the name given to BRiGHTBLACK’s new artificial intelligence lab and residency programme, created in partnership with Cambridge University’s Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence and Liverpool John Moores University. The programme helps artists to understand the theory and practice of using AI in their practice both creatively and to make their careers more sustainable.

Myra Appannah is an immersive artist and BAFTA nominated writer whose large scale immersive work SOMANI was described by UKRI as “one of the most influential British immersive productions of the past 20 years”. She has co-run BRiGHTBLACK’s Electric Dreaming Artist Residency program at Cambridge University and LJMU since 2024 with use of AI since 2023 being an intrinsic part of her daily production work. She is co-director of BRiGHTBLACK Productions

Simon Wilkinson is an artist who has been described as”one of the most notable names in Europe to be dealing with VR and it’s application in cinema” [CINEUROPA].

His work has featured at Tate Modern and toured to 36 nations in the past 15 years. He has been working with AI in a creative context since being artist in residence at Cambridge University’s Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence in 2017. He is co-director of BRiGHTBLACK Productions.