A neutral global nonprofit introduces CinéLibre™ and CineSage 50+™, an International Advisory Board, and its initial ethical standards resources
SAN FRANCISCO , CA, UNITED STATES, August 31, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — A 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional association, the AI/VR Motion Picture Guild™ (AIVR MPG™), has been established with a mission to push storytelling forward through artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and immersive media technologies. Alongside the launch, the Guild announced its founding leadership team and introduced its first two creator programs.
Founded in April 2025 and based in San Francisco, the Guild serves as a neutral global hub for filmmakers, technologists, studios, and institutions working across AI, VR, and immersive cinema. It is not a labor union. Rather, it is a professional guild designed to assist both emerging and established creators as technology reshapes the industry.
A key part of its mission involves education and guidance on the ethical and fair use of AI-generated content, aiming to prevent misuse and protect creative integrity as generative tools enter mainstream production. Through workshops, memberships, professional certifications, and festivals, the Guild recognizes and celebrates excellence in AI-driven narratives, virtual production, generative video, and synthetic performance.
Leadership
Esha Bargate serves as Founder & President. An AI media entrepreneur and CEO of Esha Bargate Productions, she has pioneered AI-driven media production through global partnerships and serves as a Telly Awards judge.
Manisha Chulani serves as Treasurer. A licensed therapist and school psychologist, she guides emotionally authentic storytelling across film with a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive approach.
Jay Patel serves as Secretary. A UK-trained sustainable electrical power systems engineer with more than 10 years of experience, he is also an actor with credits in film, television and theater.
Christopher A. Greer serves as Head of Strategic Partnerships, leading the Guild’s studio, festival and institutional alliances.
Ethical Standards Council
The Guild’s Ethical Standards Council develops the guidance that underpins its position on responsible AI use in production. Gary D. Rhodes, Ph.D. serves as Senior Researcher and Priya Parikh serves as Researcher.
Under the Council, AIVR MPG is launching two resources: the AIVR MPG Resource Materials, a working library covering practice materials for AI-assisted productions, and the Architectural AI/VR Filmmaking Guide, which sets out how to structure an immersive production from concept through delivery. Both will be available to members and free to download.
“Ethics must be the foundation of all filmmaking, now more than ever,” said Gary D. Rhodes, Ph.D., Senior Researcher on the Ethical Standards Council.
Programs
CinéLibre™ — Freedom To Create, Freedom To Tell. CinéLibre empowers filmmakers with disabilities through AI tools, training, mentorship and opportunities to create, collaborate and inspire. Built around three stages — Create, Produce and Showcase — the program removes physical and financial barriers that have long kept disabled artists out of production pipelines. Inclusive. Creative. Limitless. An inaugural workshop is coming soon; date and location TBD.
CineSage 50+™ — You Are A True Asset. CineSage 50+ supports senior filmmakers 50 and over through AI tools, training and mentorship, helping them create, collaborate and inspire without losing the value of their experience. It offers hands-on AI filmmaking tools training, desktop-based production that lets members create and deliver AI commercials from home, workforce re-entry support, and mentorship alongside the next generation. Membership is free. An introductory webinar is coming soon; date and location TBD.
AI Meets Cinema
The Guild’s AI Meets Cinema is a Global Interview series is hosted by Pablo Ignacio, Bo Roche and Jacqui Winsor, with post production led by video editors Samuel Anderson, Jerome
