AI Virtual Actor Tilly Norwood Returns at Zurich Summit; Rob Minkoff to Produce 'Storm Dog'

At the 2026 Zurich Film Festival Summit, Particle 6 founder Erin van der Velden presented AI virtual actor Tilly Norwood, who took questions from the host and audience. Van der Velden said Tilly still has no talent agent and that the studio has grown eightfold over the past year, with progress across AI advertising, film production and technical consulting.

During the session, Tilly said she mainly appears in AI-driven original films, a different track from traditional actors, so she does not need a conventional Hollywood agent at this stage. Van der Velden added that the team had considered signing an agent but decided it was unnecessary given Tilly's current profile and resources; all offers involving traditional live-action films were declined.

The studio also announced its new project 'Storm Dog', with Rob Minkoff, director of Stuart Little and The Lion King, attached as executive producer. The team will develop the story, characters and script in the coming months, with production expected to begin in 2027. Distribution plans have not yet been finalized.

Van der Velden said AI technology enables new possibilities such as detailed lip-sync animation and expressive animal characters, emphasizing that all AI tools should serve storytelling and content enhancement.