Russian streaming service Start has premiered Feofan, the country’s first comedy series featuring characters created entirely by artificial intelligence. The release marks a milestone in the growing overlap between technology and entertainment.
The show, unveiled at the “New Season” streaming festival in Sochi from 15–20 September, began streaming on Start on 17 September. Aimed at adult audiences, each episode runs under ten minutes and satirises aspects of modern culture – from celebrity obsessions to digital lifestyles.
Old ways vs. modern life
The story centres on Feofan, a young man from St Petersburg who abandons urban life to build a community based on traditional practices. In his new world, herbal medicine replaces hospitals, hunting and farming stand in for supermarkets, and fireside storytelling takes the place of the internet.
AI meets human creativity
Director Ilya Plotnikov said that every character in the series was generated using neural networks, with the exception of Matvey the cat, designed in more realistic detail as Feofan’s rival. The sketch-style visuals were chosen to highlight the show’s experimental and humorous tone.
Production head Mikhail Tkachenko noted that AI tools supported the creative process by generating ideas, writing drafts, and accelerating production timelines. He emphasised, however, that human writers and producers retained control over storytelling and comedic direction.
Industry first
The project is being hailed as a first for Russia’s entertainment industry, arriving as AI technologies gain momentum in global media. It has also reignited debate over the role of artificial intelligence in creative fields – with supporters praising efficiency and innovation, and critics questioning the impact on artistic authenticity.
