LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Promise, the pioneering film and TV studio built for the Generative AI era, announced its acquisition of Curious Refuge, the premier AI film school dedicated to empowering the next generation of storytellers. This acquisition marks a major milestone in Promise's mission to foster global innovation in the Generative AI space, creating an environment where learning, creativity, and imagination can thrive.
www.CuriousRefuge.com homepage
Co-founders of Curious Refuge, Shelby & Caleb Ward
Since its launch in 2020, Curious Refuge has become a vital resource for mentoring and educating emerging and established artists, equipping them with the knowledge to explore the vast creative potential of Generative AI. Through workshops, courses, and partnerships with Hollywood organizations and guilds, Curious Refuge has cultivated a uniquely supportive ecosystem, elevating the skills of over 4,000 people from 171 countries and helping talent across the entertainment industry lean into this new era of storytelling. As Gen AI ushers in a new movement of creativity and filmmaking, Curious Refuge has established itself as a home base for learning, experimentation, and artistic growth.
"Curious Refuge has demonstrated that Generative AI is more than just a tool—it's an artform that sparks new forms of collaboration, unlocks creativity, and brings extraordinary visions to life," said George Strompolos, Co-Founder and CEO of Promise. "By joining forces, Promise and Curious Refuge will lead the creation of a vibrant creative community, connecting artists, filmmakers, and industry leaders who are inspired to harness the power of Generative AI."
This acquisition underscores Promise's commitment to producing cutting-edge films and series while cultivating a creative talent pipeline that also benefits the broader entertainment industry. It also opens the door for Curious Refuge creators to be considered for roles on future Promise film and TV projects, bridging the gap between emerging talent and compelling storytelling.
"We've always been inspired by new ways to express creativity, and through Curious Refuge, we've had the privilege of witnessing the unbridled imagination that flourishes when bold ideas meet the right tools," said Caleb & Shelby Ward, who serve as co-founders of Curious Refuge. "Curious Refuge has always been a safe space for creators to explore and embrace these advanced tools without fear of the unknown. This acquisition allows us to deepen our investment in the global community of storytellers while leveraging Promise's industry connections to link our creators to exciting film and TV opportunities."
With investment backing from Peter Chernin's The North Road and Andrew Chen at Andreessen Horowitz, Promise is actively collaborating with leading Gen AI artists, Hollywood talent, and rights-holders to produce a multi-year slate of films, series, and innovative formats. Founded in late 2024 by Fullscreen CEO George Strompolos, former YouTube content executive Jamie Byrne, and acclaimed Gen AI innovator Dave Clark, Promise is committed to creating a creative environment that champions original stories for global audiences. Together, Promise and Curious Refuge aim to shape a future where technology and human ingenuity work in harmony to push the boundaries of creativity, empower bold voices, and reimagine what's possible in storytelling.
About Promise
Promise Advanced Imagination, Inc. is a studio built from the ground up in the era of Generative AI to produce films, series, and explore new forms of entertainment for a variety of distribution platforms. Founded in 2024, the company collaborates with Gen AI artists, Hollywood talent, and third-party rights-holders to deliver a diverse slate of innovative storytelling to global audiences. Learn more at www.PromiseStudios.com.
About Curious Refuge
Curious Refuge is the premier online school and creative community for AI-powered storytelling, helping artists, studios, brands, and creators worldwide learn how to bring their boldest ideas to life with this transformative technology. Through interactive courses and a vibrant community, Curious Refuge is championing a new era of creativity.
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