Director Guillermo del Toro once again warned young directors against generic AI programs. He emphasized that “people tell you that art is not important,” because that is “always a prelude to fascism.”

Del Toro accepting directing honors Diversity“Be kind, be involved, believe in your art,” he said at the 10 Directors to Watch and Creative Impact Awards Brunch during the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

“At times when people tell you art isn’t important, that’s always a prelude to fascism. When they tell you it doesn’t matter, when they tell you an app can do art you say, if it’s so important, why do they want it so bad? The answer is they think they can undermine everything that makes us a little bit better, a little bit more human. And that, in my book, and in my life, includes monsters,” he said. Said further.

frankenstein The director had previously expressed his displeasure with the use of AI in filmmaking at the Gotham Awards Vanguard Tribute, insisting, “I would like to convey to the rest of our extraordinary cast and our crew that the artistry of all of them shines through every single frame of this film that was intentionally made by humans, for humans.”

He said, “The designer, the builder, the makeup, the wardrobe team, the cinematographer, the composer, the editor, this tribute is to all of them. I want to express my gratitude and say: F**k AI.”

del toro’s frankenstein It received a 13-minute standing ovation at the Venice International Film Festival 2025, leaving Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi emotional. The film re-imagines Mary Shelley’s 1818 horror classic of the same name, and tells the story of a brilliant scientist who creates a monstrous creature, setting in motion a chain of events that leads to his downfall.

frankenstein Available for streaming on Netflix.