Authors First Launched AI-Enabled Production Studio

The New York-based startup secured over US$10 million in seed funding to adapt novels for the screen.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Startups

A vintage film reel sits on a metal tripod in a sunlit, industrial studio loft in New York City. — Authors First, a New York-based startup, has launched an AI-enabled film studio after securing over US$10 million in initial seed funding. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Authors First has officially launched in New York City as an AI-enabled studio focused on book-to-screen adaptations. The company secured more than US$10 million in seed funding to produce projects that traditional studios often overlook due to budget constraints.

Why it matters

The studio aims to provide authors with greater creative control over their works while utilizing new technology to replace costly traditional production elements like green screens and on-site shoots.

The startup secured over US$10 million in seed funding in a round led by Brand Foundry and Robert Hamwee. The team utilizes 30 production artists to execute cinematic shots on their debut project.

The players

Robert Hamwee

He serves as the CEO of Authors First and brings three decades of experience in the finance sector.

Brand Foundry

This investment firm acted as a lead participant in the seed funding round for the new studio.

Conn Iggulden

He is an author collaborating with the studio to adapt his novel Genghis: Birth of an Empire.

Garrett Weaver

He holds the position of chief content officer at the newly launched startup.

Gina Bouchard

She serves as a senior producer for the projects developed by the studio.

The details

The studio creates adaptations using a mix of human-led and AI-enabled production capabilities. This approach is being tested on the first project, Genghis: Birth of an Empire, created in collaboration with author Conn Iggulden, with future plans to adapt works by Peter F. Hamilton and David Ball.

2004 marked the publication of Pandora's Star by Peter F. Hamilton.
2007 saw the release of Genghis: Birth of an Empire by Conn Iggulden.
October 6, 2026, served as the official launch date for Authors First in New York.

Market Landscape

The studio is capitalizing on the growing integration of generative AI in cinematic production to compete with traditional Hollywood studios. This move represents a shift toward more agile production models that prioritize technology-driven cost efficiency over legacy studio workflows.

Consumers may see a broader range of niche book adaptations hit screens that were previously deemed too expensive to produce. The impact on the average viewer depends on the studio's ability to maintain high production quality through its AI-enabled processes.

The takeaway

The studio model demonstrates a clear attempt to bypass conventional Hollywood budget barriers using proprietary technical tools. By placing creative control directly in the hands of authors, the company is testing a new collaborative production framework.