Toronto-based AI startup Moonvalley, in partnership with Asteria Film Co. (co-founded by Natasha Lyonne and Bryn Mooser), has unveiled its first video-generation tool designed specifically for filmmakers. Named Marey, the model is trained exclusively on licensed footage, offering a legally and ethically sound alternative to many existing AI tools.
Marey provides studio-quality control, allowing professionals to fine-tune aspects such as camera movement, character performance, shots composition, backgrounds, and motion—all aligned with standard VFX production workflows. Training on fully licensed materials ensures filmmakers avoid the legal pitfalls tied to scraped or unlicensed datasets.
Moonvalley’s approach emphasizes collaboration: creators supply input videos or images, then iteratively refine scenes with granular adjustments—much like traditional visual effects processes. The model operates at 1080p resolution and renders each scene for roughly $1–$2, with subscription tiers offering various credit packages for scalable usage.
Backed by over $100 million in funding, Marey is already undergoing testing with major studios and agencies. Asteria plans to use it for upcoming projects, including a Carl Sagan documentary and Natasha Lyonne’s sci‑fi feature Uncanny Valley. The goal is clear: augment, not replace, human creativity—empowering filmmakers with responsibly sourced AI rather than automation built on “stolen data.”