Image to video

Bring a still to life.

Image-to-video starts from a frame you already like. The engine uses your photo as the first frame and invents motion from there — so the best results come from describing movement, not re-describing the picture. Sardav writes that motion brief for you.

Upload an image

Try the Prompt Enhancer

Free preview · uses Sardav templates

Director’s brief

Slow push-in on the portrait, hair moving gently in the wind. Setting: atmospheric location with depth and layered foreground/background. Composition: vertical 9:16 framing, subject centered in the upper two-thirds, safe margins for captions and UI. Camera: eye level with a slight low angle for presence; 35mm cinema lens, shallow depth of field; slow dolly-in with a smooth, stabilized glide. Lighting: motivated key light with soft contrast, gentle rim light, subtle volumetric haze. Materials: true-to-life textures with realistic reflections. Motion: natural, physically plausible motion; no warping or morphing of the subject. Timing: 5s single continuous shot: establish in the first second, reveal the hero moment by 4s. Style: filmic color grade, natural skin tones, fine grain, anamorphic feel. Audio: restrained cinematic score with a soft swell and ambient room tone.

Why Sardav

Motion-first prompting

The enhancer focuses on camera and subject motion, so the model animates rather than redraws your image.

Private uploads

Images are stored privately and shared with the engine only through short-lived signed links.

Formats that fit

Animate into 9:16 for stories, 1:1 for feeds or 16:9 for web.

How it works

Upload a photo

PNG, JPEG or WebP up to 10 MB. Higher-resolution sources give cleaner motion.

Describe the movement

Camera push, orbit, parallax, wind, water, light changes — say what should move.

Pick quality

Fast for tests, Pro or Ultra for final output.

Render

Download or send the clip into an ad storyboard.

Use cases

Photo to video posts

Give still campaigns a living version for social.

Art & illustration

Subtle animation for artwork and key visuals.

Real estate & places

Gentle camera moves through interiors and views.

Portraits

Natural micro-motion for profile and editorial imagery.

Questions, answered

Straight answers about how Sardav works — including its limits.

Will the video look exactly like my photo?

The first frame follows your image closely, but motion is generated, so details can shift as the shot moves. Describe smaller, slower movements for maximum fidelity.

Can I animate photos of real people?

Only if you have their permission. Our Acceptable Use Policy prohibits deceptive, non-consensual or harmful depictions of real people.

What image size works best?

At least 1024 px on the short side, with the subject clearly visible. Match the aspect ratio of your photo to the output format when possible.

Can I use several images?

Some engines accept extra reference images for consistency. Sardav shows the option when your selected quality tier supports it.

Product video generator

Ready when you are.

Open the studio, describe what you need, and see the credit cost before you render.