Two entertainment companies are betting that artificial intelligence can help independent filmmakers compete with major studios in building expansive story worlds.
Goldfinch and The Squad have unveiled enGEN3, a jointly owned platform that uses AI to help creators develop cinematic universes while managing IP rights and revenue sharing with fans. The venture aims to democratize tools typically available only to large studios, enabling filmmakers to expand stories across multiple media formats.
“enGEN3 gives filmmakers studio-level tools to build cinematic universes with fan participation, extending their stories seamlessly across film, games, print, and beyond,” said Jordan Bayne, founder of The Squad and enGEN3.
The platform’s first project is “By Blood & By Bone,” a sci-fi anime feature pilot from writer Dave Kebo. The film integrates two Web3 anime collections – Ordinauts on Bitcoin and Oni Force on Ethereum – in what the companies describe as a new model for community-driven storytelling.
“With ‘By Blood & By Bone,’ we’re bringing community storytelling into an epic anime series while creating a model for IP ownership and monetization that benefits both creators and fans,” said Kebo.
Henry Finn, CEO of Oni Force, added: “This is the next chapter in storytelling: ownership and imagination shared by all.”
The venture taps experienced tech and creative talent. CTO Doug Thompson previously held roles at gaming and AI companies including Remedy and Sojen. Creative director HaZ Dulull has directed for Disney+ and contributed to video game projects including “Dune: Awakening” and Fortnite. He runs transmedia studio Beyond The Pixels.
A Q1 2026 full launch is targeted for enGEN3, with beta access coming sooner. The companies plan to roll out more projects and tools next year, drawing from Goldfinch’s catalog of hundreds of financed productions.
“At Goldfinch, we back bold visions for the future of entertainment,” said Phil McKenzie, co-founder of Goldfinch. “Jordan pioneered the Film3 model, and enGEN3 represents the next evolution – a way for creators and fans to connect through both creation and distribution.”