Can you train an AI video model on your own footage?

Not directly. Fine-tuning frontier video models on your own footage is not generally available to consumers in 2026 — only enterprise partners get access. The practical workaround is image-to-video with a custom reference frame, or LoRA-tuned image models feeding into image-to-video for consistent characters and brand looks.

  • True video fine-tuning = enterprise-only in 2026.
  • Image LoRA → image-to-video = the practical workaround.
  • Reference-image conditioning is the only consumer-level customisation.
  • Expect open fine-tuning to land in 2027–2028.

Why fine-tuning video is hard

Training a video model needs thousands of GPU hours and curated datasets in the millions of clips. Even small consumer fine-tunes would cost tens of thousands of dollars and require infrastructure platforms have not exposed yet.

What you can do today

Train a LoRA on an image model (Flux LoRA, SDXL LoRA, etc.) on photos of your character, product or brand style. Generate first-frame images with that LoRA. Run image-to-video on each frame. The video model preserves the look from your custom-trained image.

This stack is what most 'consistent character' workflows in 2026 actually use — even when marketers call it 'custom video model'.

FAQ

Can Runway train custom video models?

Runway has offered limited custom motion training in beta. Quality is mixed and pricing is enterprise-tier.