# Asteria Film Co. **Industry:** Film & Streaming **Type:** Private (subsidiary of XTR) **Founded:** 2024 **Headquarters:** Echo Park, Los Angeles, California **Website:** https://www.asteriafilm.com/ *Artist-led generative AI film and animation studio pioneering "clean and ethical AI" filmmaking* ## Links & Resources - **Website:** https://www.asteriafilm.com/ - **X/Twitter:** [@Asteria_FilmCo](https://x.com/Asteria_FilmCo) - **LinkedIn:** [linkedin.com/company/asteriafilmco](https://www.linkedin.com/company/asteriafilmco) - **Instagram:** [@asteriafilmco](https://www.instagram.com/asteriafilmco/) ## Latest AI News ### Marey AI Model Launch **Date:** 01/2025 Asteria launched Marey, the first "clean foundational" AI model for filmmaking, developed in partnership with Moonvalley. Named after early cinema pioneer Étienne-Jules Marey, this model is trained exclusively on licensed material and provides compensation to filmmakers and rights holders, addressing Hollywood's copyright concerns about AI. ### Uncanny Valley Production **Date:** 12/2024 Completed production on "Uncanny Valley," Natasha Lyonne's feature directorial debut, showcasing hybrid AI/live-action filmmaking technology. The film explores themes of virtual reality and artificial intelligence through a story about a teenage girl and an AR video game. ## Overview Asteria Film Co. is an AI-native film and animation studio formed through XTR's acquisition of Late Night Labs in September 2024. The company positions itself as the "Pixar of AI," focusing on democratized filmmaking through ethical AI technology that augments rather than replaces artists. Operating from a 35,000-square-foot facility in Echo Park, Los Angeles, Asteria develops sub-$10 million projects using an indie financing model with backend participation for creatives. ## Key Products/Services - Marey AI model for clean, ethical video generation - AI-powered animation production - Hybrid AI/live-action filmmaking - Traditional filmmaking augmentation tools - Proprietary generative AI technology for artists - Licensed content training methodology ## Recent Developments - Launch of Marey AI model in partnership with Moonvalley (January 2025) - Completion of "Uncanny Valley" featuring hybrid AI/live-action technology - Strategic partnership hire of Paul Trillo as filmmaker partner - VFX veteran Benjamin Lock joining the team - Growing slate of live-action and animation projects in development - Projects in development with Will McCormack (If Anything Happens I Love You) ## Financial Information - Private subsidiary of XTR - Parent company XTR secured mid-seven figures in seed funding - Notable investors include Tony Hsieh, Tim Armstrong, Joe Gebbia, David and Christina Arquette - Focus on sub-$10 million production budgets - Indie financing model with backend participation for creatives - Financial terms of Late Night Labs acquisition not disclosed ## Leadership - **Co-Founder & CEO (XTR):** Bryn Mooser - Emmy-winning, twice Oscar-nominated filmmaker - LinkedIn: [brynmooser](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brynmooser/) - **Co-Founder:** Natasha Lyonne - Actor, director, writer (Poker Face, Russian Doll) - X: [@nlyonne](https://twitter.com/nlyonne) | Instagram: [@nlyonne](https://www.instagram.com/nlyonne/) - **Founding Partner/Head of Generative Animation:** Benjamin Michel - LinkedIn: [benjamin-michel-997029a7](https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-michel-997029a7/) - **Co-Founders (Late Night Labs team):** Eric Day and Nick Confalone - Eric Day - LinkedIn: [ericmday](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmday/) - Nick Confalone - X: [@nickconfalone](https://x.com/nickconfalone) | Instagram: [@nickconfalone](https://www.instagram.com/nickconfalone/) - **Strategic Partners:** Paul Trillo (filmmaker), Benjamin Lock (VFX veteran) - Paul Trillo - X: [@paultrillo](https://x.com/paultrillo) | LinkedIn: [paul-trillo-544b268](https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-trillo-544b268/) - **Advisory Team:** Angel Manuel Soto (Blue Beetle director) ## Competitive Landscape - **Main competitors:** Traditional animation studios (Pixar, Disney Animation), AI competitors (Runway, OpenAI) - **Market position:** Pioneer in ethical AI filmmaking with established Hollywood relationships - **Differentiators:** "Clean" AI model using only licensed content, artist-led approach, compensation for rights holders, addressing Hollywood's copyright concerns ## Perplexity Queries ### Latest Company News [Summarize the latest news about Asteria Film Co., focusing on recent developments and announcements. Include information from reputable sources such as news articles and press releases. Provide a list with sources and summaries for each piece of news.](https://www.perplexity.ai/search/summarize-the-latest-news-about-asteria-film-co-focusing-on-recent-developments-and-announcements-include-information-from-reputable-sources-such-as-news-articles-and-press-releases-provide-a-list-with-sources-and-summaries-for-each-piece-of-news) ### Industry AI News [Latest AI news for Asteria Film Co. and the Film & Streaming industry. Provide a list of recent AI-related developments, initiatives, or products from Asteria Film Co. and other companies in the Film & Streaming industry. Include sources and brief summaries for each item.](https://www.perplexity.ai/search/latest-ai-news-for-asteria-film-co-and-the-film-streaming-industry-provide-a-list-of-recent-ai-related-developments-initiatives-or-products-from-asteria-film-co-and-other-companies-in-the-film-streaming-industry-include-sources-and-brief-summaries-for-each-item) ## Tags #ai #film #streaming #animation #ethical #clean-ai #filmmaking #startup #private #xtr --- *Last Updated: 2025-07-30*