SAN FRANCISCO, CA – April 2026 – As the world’s first AI Cinema Lab and Summit, Soulscape 2026 commences at the KQED Headquarters, marking a convergence of Silicon Valley technology and Hollywood storytelling. Among those leading this evolution is acclaimed producer Amy Kouxiao Zhang, Co-Founder and Chief Content Officer (CCO) of Manna AI Inc., who has been appointed as a Jury Mentor and Guest Speaker. In this role, Zhang provides oversight in establishing the creative and technical benchmarks for the next generation of AI-driven cinema.
Bridging Professional Cinema With Commercial Reach
A centerpiece of the summit features Zhang’s presentation on “Panel 4: The Attention Economy: AI in Commercials.” Zhang works extensively in the shift toward short-form digital content. Her commercial track record includes the series My Teenage Great-Grandma, which reached the #2 spot on North America’s TikTok monthly chart with over 274.4M views, and the series Darling, Please Come Home, which surpassed 39.6M views on the ReelShort platform. This combination of broad audience reach and high-end visual language gives the summit a working example of modern content scalability.
Guiding the Global “Prompt to Premiere” Pipeline
Occupying a seat on the Council of Visionaries, Zhang serves alongside veterans from The Matrix and Pixar, as well as executives from Paramount and Warner Bros. As a Jury Mentor, she oversees 200 global creators during an intensive 48-hour film competition. Drawing from her experience with festival projects such as PLUVIOPHILE (Official Selection, Cannes Court Métrage 2026) and Hongfu Hotel (Tribeca 2024 World Premiere), Zhang evaluates how AI-native tools can be used to amplify human resonance while maintaining professional cinematic standards.
Strategic Leadership in AI-Native Production
As CCO of Manna AI, a strategic partner of Soulscape 2026, Zhang oversees content development, IP acquisition, and production strategy. “Soulscape’s ‘Soul over Slop’ mission is central to our work at Manna AI,” stated Zhang. “We are focused on leading the development of AI-native films and series where technology serves the story, ensuring that even as tools evolve, the heart of the narrative remains the priority.”
(Global Leaders in Cinema, VFX, and AI Innovation From left to right (starting from left): Amy Kouxiao Zhang, award-winning filmmaker and Co-Founder & CCO of Manna AI. Annan (Vista) Kong, a seasoned VFX producer for global blockbusters like The Great Wall; Joel Hynek, Academy Award-winning VFX Supervisor (Predator); Craig Talmy, veteran Animation Supervisor for the Harry Potter and The Mummy franchises; Annie Xiaoxiao Qin, CEO of Manna AI ; and Rob Katz, highly accomplished television producer and director. Together, they represent the fusion of elite engineering and cinematic storytelling.)
About Amy Kouxiao Zhang
Amy Kouxiao Zhang is a filmmaker and the Co-Founder and Chief Content Officer (CCO) of Manna AI Inc. Her work spans both commercial and artistic projects. She produced the TikTok series My Teenage Great-Grandma and the ReelShort series Darling, Please Come Home. Her cinematic portfolio includes Hongfu Hotel (Tribeca 2024), When Big People Lie (Telluride 2024), and After Class (Best Short, Short Shorts Film Festival and Asia 2020). Her work has been recognized by the Director’s Guild of America (DGA) and the Student Academy Awards. She is currently a member of the South Park Commons Founder Fellowship, where she leads the development of AI-native interactive narratives and production pipelines for digital entertainment.
About Soulscape 2026
Soulscape is an AI Cinema Lab and Summit positioned as a bridge between Silicon Valley innovation and Hollywood’s narrative craft. The 2026 summit hosts a “Council of Visionaries” comprising Oscar winners and studio executives focused on authentic storytelling in the era of generative AI.
About Manna AI
Manna AI is an entertainment technology company and a platform for cinematic-quality interactive storytelling. Led by Co-Founder Amy Zhang, the company integrates AI video generation with Hollywood craftsmanship to create character-driven interactive entertainment.
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