Outstanding Leadership in AI Innovation

The AI/VR Motion Picture Guild™, is a pioneering 501(c)(6) Nonprofit Professional Association based in San Francisco, created to empower storytellers and filmmakers using emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality. Led by founder Esha Bargate, the Guild is building a global community of creatives, technologists, and studios who care deeply about both innovation and integrity in storytelling.

What makes the Guild unique is its strong focus on ethics, education, and access. We recently launched the Ethical Standards Council, a groundbreaking initiative to help creators use AI responsibly—through clear guidance on copyright, creative ownership, prompt design, and fair use practices. The Guild also offers workshops, events, and original programs like the AI/VR Studio Interview Series, where industry leaders share insights on the future of immersive storytelling.

Our leadership team brings together people from many disciplines—mental health, tech, the arts—each contributing to our mission of creating inclusive, forward-thinking creative ecosystems. This nomination is a celebration of the work we’ve done to support a new generation of ethical, empowered, and globally-minded creators at the intersection of cinema and AI.