Summary
- Luca Guadagnino’s Artificial has its world premiere on 5 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
- at Alice Tully Hall
- The film joins the Main Slate of the 64th New York Film Festival, running 25 September through 12 October
- Andrew Garfield and Yura Borisov play Sam Altman and Ilya Sutskever
- Simon Rich’s screenplay spans two decades of machine-learning research and today’s AI crisis
- A second screening follows on 6 October at 2:30 p.m., and public single-ticket sales open on 15 September
Luca Guadagnino’s Artificial will receive its world premiere on 5 October 2026 at the 64th New York Film Festival, with the director and members of the cast in person at Alice Tully Hall.
The new announcement moves the project from production reporting to a confirmed premiere. Andrew Garfield plays Sam Altman and Yura Borisov plays Ilya Sutskever in a story that begins with academic neural-network research and reaches today’s crisis of power, truth and responsibility surrounding AI.
From 2003 to today’s crisis point
The official synopsis begins in 2003, when Soviet-born computer scientist Ilya Sutskever studies artificial neural networks under Geoffrey Hinton at the University of Toronto. Mark Rylance plays Hinton, widely known as one of the “Godfathers of AI”.
A decade later, while employed by Google, Sutskever meets the young entrepreneur Sam Altman. The film follows the path towards the creation and leadership of OpenAI, although Film at Lincoln Center does not describe it as a documentary or complete historical reconstruction. It is a drama featuring real people.
The official text describes two decades of machine-learning research and “technocratic recklessness” leading to today’s crisis point. That framing indicates that the film moves beyond a corporate dispute to examine the moral weight of technological development.
The cast around Garfield and Borisov
Garfield and Borisov sit at the centre of the film, with the festival identifying their two performances as a defining axis. Rylance as Geoffrey Hinton connects the story to the early scientific foundation of modern AI.
The supporting cast includes Monica Barbaro, Cooper Hoffman, Ike Barinholtz, Jason Schwartzman and Chris O’Dowd. The current Film at Lincoln Center page does not match every actor to a specific real person, so unofficial role assignments circulating elsewhere should not be treated as confirmed.
Damon Albarn provides the score and original songs. That is notable because the festival describes the film as moving with relentless momentum, suggesting music will operate as a structural force rather than simple accompaniment.
Simon Rich’s screenplay and Guadagnino’s perspective
Simon Rich’s screenplay examines grey areas between human and machine, truth and lie. Guadagnino, whose Call Me by Your Name, Bones and All, Queer and After the Hunt have previously played NYFF, turns his interest in desire and power towards a recent technological field.
The official presentation describes Artificial as thrilling, funny and deeply human. That balance matters: a purely explanatory film about corporate governance could become cold, while an excessively personality-driven version might erase the technical and social scale.
Following the earlier report
PTTL previously covered Artificial entering production as a film about OpenAI’s crisis and the real people of AI. The NYFF64 announcement now confirms the title, dramatic structure, two central roles and completion of the film.
The festival page does not announce a wide theatrical release date. Artificial is identified as a NEON release, but a world premiere should not be confused with commercial opening in the United States, Greece or other markets.
Premiere, screenings and tickets
The world premiere takes place on Monday, 5 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m. at Alice Tully Hall, with Luca Guadagnino and cast members in person. A second screening is scheduled for Tuesday, 6 October at 2:30 p.m.
NYFF64 single tickets go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, 15 September at noon ET. Pass holders and Film at Lincoln Center members receive presale access according to level. Current availability and terms are listed on the official Film at Lincoln Center film page.
What we think
Selection for the NYFF Main Slate gives Artificial a serious cinematic context before commercial release. Its hardest task will be dramatising very recent events without reducing them to heroes and villains. The two-decade span and emphasis on Sutskever alongside Altman at least signal an intention to move beyond a topical account of one corporate upheaval.
Frequently asked questions
When does Artificial premiere?
On 5 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m. at Alice Tully Hall as part of the 64th New York Film Festival.
Who do Andrew Garfield and Yura Borisov play?
Garfield plays Sam Altman and Borisov plays Ilya Sutskever.
Is it a documentary?
No. It is a drama directed by Luca Guadagnino and written by Simon Rich, based on real people and events.
When do tickets go on sale?
General public single-ticket sales begin on 15 September at noon ET.
Is there a Greek release date?
No official Greek release date has been announced.
