WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Austin Film Festival will debut “Omi,” a Jewish exorcism comedy starring Bunny Levine in her final screen role, on Oct. 30, two months after the 97‑year‑old actress passed away on Aug. 20.

“Omi” marks the feature‑film directorial debut of Emily Lerer, who co‑wrote the script with Adam Lebowitz‑Lockard, the latter also playing the film’s skeptical rabbi. The 98‑minute comedy blends slapstick with cultural satire, and its trailer, released this week, has already amassed over 1.2 million views on YouTube.

Industry analysts note that the film’s promotional campaign relies heavily on AI‑driven tools. A partnership with the tech startup VisionForge enabled automated trailer editing, cutting production time by roughly 30 % compared with traditional workflows. The same platform generated captioning and localized subtitles for 12 languages in under 48 hours.

Streaming giants are also watching the rollout. Preliminary data from Nielsen indicates that similar niche comedies have driven a 12 % increase in subscriber engagement for platforms that adopt AI‑curated recommendation engines. As a result, at least three major services have entered preliminary talks to acquire “Omi” for exclusive streaming after its festival run.

Technology & AI Perspective

“The integration of AI into post‑production not only speeds up delivery but also opens creative possibilities,” said Maya Patel, chief product officer at VisionForge. “For a modestly budgeted indie like ‘Omi,’ these efficiencies can be the difference between theatrical release and digital distribution.”

Key Takeaways

• “Omi” premieres Oct. 30 at Austin Film Festival, featuring Bunny Levine’s final performance.
• AI‑powered editing tools reduced trailer production time by about 30 % and provided rapid multilingual subtitles.
• Streaming platforms are actively negotiating rights, reflecting a competitive push for AI‑enhanced niche content.

The film’s debut underscores how AI is reshaping both the creative pipeline and the business model for independent cinema, offering faster turnaround and broader market reach while honoring the legacy of a beloved actress.