Singapore studios HIP Studios and FizzDragon have partnered with Philippine indie publisher 8Letters in a memorandum of understanding to co-produce “AI: Love & Hate,” an animated anthology feature exploring humanity’s relationship with artificial intelligence.
The MOU was inked at the Cebu Entertainment Business Forum, formalizing what the companies describe as a first-of-its-kind partnership between leaders in intellectual property, generative AI and independent publishing in Southeast Asia.
The 90-minute sci-fi anthology will comprise six 15-minute stories adapted from novels by independent authors, examining the conflicted emotions surrounding technological advancement. The feature will be released in both English and Mandarin-language versions, utilizing a hybrid approach that combines traditional animation with cutting-edge generative AI.
Drawing comparisons to acclaimed anthologies “Black Mirror” and “Love, Death & Robots,” the project aims to carve out distinctive territory by spotlighting stories from independent Asian authors. The film marks the first installment in a planned franchise that will expand across multiple platforms including graphic novels, games and other derivatives.
“It is both novel and exciting that we are using a hybrid of traditional animation and generative AI to craft a film about the very impact of AI itself,” said Chan Gin Kai, co-founder and president of creative development at HIP Studios. “This collaboration pushes the boundaries of creativity and technology, opening new frontiers for how stories can be imagined and experienced.”
The project will showcase six emerging directors alongside the featured authors. Stanley Ng, principal consultant at FizzDragon, emphasized the democratizing potential of the technology.
“Generative AI is a tool that empowers creatives to achieve more than ever before. It allows us to bring to life ambitious stories that, until recently, could only be realized with Hollywood-sized budgets,” Ng said. “Through ‘AI: Love & Hate,’ we want to show how technology can amplify imagination, enabling storytellers to create bold, cinematic worlds that speak to audiences everywhere.”
The collaboration extends beyond the immediate production, with FizzDragon and HIP Studios planning to establish an AI Academy in the Philippines. The educational initiative aims to train artists and filmmakers in generative AI applications, positioning the Philippines as a regional hub for AI-driven content creation.
“At 8Letters, our mission has always been to help writers grow and evolve — and this project gives them the chance to move from the page to the screen,” said Cindy Wong, founder and creative director of 8Letters. “It’s about creating opportunities for creative people across disciplines to collaborate with one another, and giving independent voices a platform to shine in new and exciting ways.”
Singapore-based HIP Studios specializes in IP development and management across Asia and Australia. FizzDragon, recognized by NVIDIA’s Global Startup Program and Alibaba’s Jumpstarter Top 30, has previously released the AI-generated epic “Zheng Yi Sao” theatrically. Philippine indie publisher 8Letters boasts a catalog of over 900 titles and serves as the country’s largest independent publisher.
