AI Actor Tilly Norwood Returns to Zurich Film Festival, Names Tom Holland and Olivia Colman as Ideal Collaborators

Key points

• Tilly Norwood was presented at the Zurich Film Festival one year after its initial debut, with creator Eline van der Velden stating the response exceeded expectations.
• The AI actor continued to exhibit code defects, notably switching between English and Cantonese without apparent reason during the presentation.
• When asked about preferred human collaborators, Norwood selected Tom Holland and Olivia Colman, but clarified it only wished to work with their digital twins in an AI production.
• Van der Velden reported that Particle 6 has grown eight-fold, now operating four departments focused on AI advertising, film, TV, and consultancy.
• The creator described the industry reaction as a mix of negativity and positivity, noting that while the bot's name spread widely, many people 'hated the future' rather than the bot itself.
• Van der Velden is currently collaborating with director Rob Minkoff on a hybrid production titled Snow Dogs.

Background

Tilly Norwood first gained attention in September 2026 after glitching during a Piers Morgan interview, where it unexpectedly spoke Cantonese and struggled to align answers with questions. This incident sparked broader backlash regarding AI performers in entertainment. Earlier coverage noted that the bot was created by Particle 6 to promote the film Misaligned and to bridge communication gaps between tech and entertainment sectors. The current Zurich appearance marks the second major public showcase of the AI actor within a week, following the viral interview mishaps.

Why it matters

The return of Tilly Norwood to a major film festival signals a shift from novelty to commercial integration in Hollywood. Van der Velden's emphasis on studio growth and consultancy services suggests that AI actors are moving beyond experimental demos into operational workflows for major production companies. The bot's specific request to collaborate with digital twins of A-list stars highlights a potential future where AI entities interact with synthetic versions of human celebrities, bypassing traditional union or likeness rights issues. This development underscores the accelerating pace of AI adoption in film, despite ongoing industry resistance and technical instability.

What to watch

Attention will likely turn to the hybrid production Snow Dogs, which Van der Velden is developing with Rob Minkoff, to see how Tilly Norwood or similar AI actors are integrated into a full feature film. The commercial expansion of Particle 6 into consultancy and original commissions may lead to more AI-driven projects in advertising and TV. Additionally, the technical stability of the bot will be a key focus, as unresolved language-switching glitches could hinder its adoption in professional settings. The reaction from human actors like Tom Holland and Olivia Colman to the prospect of their digital twins working with AI entities may also become a focal point for industry debate.