AI filmmaking venture Utopai East targets data infrastructure
As AI filmmaking moves from experimental tools to large-scale infrastructure, Stockfarm Road and Utopai Studio have launched a joint venture called Utopai East to build dedicated systems for film and television production. The partnership, structured as a 50–50 split, targets the growing demand for power and data capacity required by machine-learning-driven content creation.
Stockfarm Road contributes capital, creative expertise, and industry connections, while Utopai Studio leads on technology, workflow, and infrastructure. The former was co-founded by Brian Koo, grandson of LG Group’s founder, and Amin Badr El Din, CEO of BADR Investment.
Initially, the venture aims to reduce budgets and accelerate production schedules, focusing on collaborations with Korean creators. The first project is expected to debut next year. CEO Cecilia Shen of Utopai Studio said production will begin in existing facilities, while Koo emphasized efficiency and cost optimization as key priorities.
Addressing industry concerns, both companies stressed that the technology supports creators rather than replaces them. Shen noted that writers, directors, and actors remain central to production, and all datasets and models used are fully licensed and contract-approved.
Stockfarm Road also plans to build a 3-gigawatt data center in South Jeolla Province, positioning it as the backbone for AI, quantum computing, and energy-to-information industries. The facility will provide the computational foundation for Utopai East’s creative and distribution operations.
The expansion of AI filmmaking begins with Korean content but is set to extend into Japan, China, and Thailand. By merging local intellectual property with global distribution, the venture reflects a broader shift in filmmaking—from experimental models toward infrastructure-driven scalability, governance, and creative reliability.
