Celebrities Andrew Garfield and Jason Schwartzman were seen filming in various locations across San Francisco on Wednesday, sparking excitement among local residents. Reports confirm that the movie they are working on is titled “Artificial,” which tells the story of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
The film set transformed several city streets, with notable locations including Dolores Park, the Fillmore district, and Russian Hill. Neighbors were eager to catch glimpses of the action, with one resident sharing videos of Schwartzman and Italian director Luca Guadagnino at Dolores Park. Additionally, Garfield was spotted on Lombard Street, just outside Altman’s home, indicating his portrayal of the tech entrepreneur.
Sam White, a local resident, expressed his enthusiasm after receiving a notification flyer about the filming in his neighborhood. He managed to observe the filming from a distance and praised Garfield’s ability to capture Altman’s mannerisms, stating he looks forward to seeing his street featured in the film when it releases in 2026.
The San Francisco Film Commission highlights the film industry’s positive impact on the city’s economy. Manijeh Fata, director of Film SF, revealed that last year, over 200 films and TV shows were shot in San Francisco, contributing significantly to local businesses. The recent expansion of the state’s film and TV tax credit by Governor Newsom is expected to attract even more productions, further bolstering the local creative economy.
San Francisco’s unique charm makes it an appealing location for filmmakers, and residents like White are optimistic about the city continuing to host more film projects in the future. While the film crew has now left San Francisco, the buzz surrounding this production reflects a bright future for the local film industry.