JosiahSiegel/fal-image-to-video

Quick Reference

| Model | Endpoint | Audio | Loop | Best For | |-------|----------|-------|------|----------| | Kling 2.6 Pro | fal-ai/kling-video/v2.6/pro/image-to-video | Yes | No | Cinematic | | MiniMax | fal-ai/minimax-video/image-to-video | No | No | Reliable | | Luma | fal-ai/luma-dream-machine | No | Yes | Creative | | SVD | fal-ai/stable-video-diffusion | No | No | Fast test |

| Motion Type | Keywords | Example | |-------------|----------|---------| | Character | walks, turns, smiles | "She slowly turns her head" | | Nature | sways, flows, falls | "Leaves flutter in the wind" | | Camera | pans, zooms, tracks | "Camera slowly pans right" |

| Use Case | Recommended Model | |----------|-------------------| | Portraits | Kling 2.5/2.6 Pro | | Products | MiniMax (optimizer) | | Landscapes | Luma (loop) | | Fast testing | SVD, Runway Turbo |

When to Use This Skill

Use for image animation:

• Animating still portraits with natural motion
• Creating product showcase videos
• Generating ambient loop videos
• Adding subtle motion to landscapes
• Preview workflow before final render

Related skills:

• For text-to-video: see fal-text-to-video
• For video editing: see fal-video-to-video
• For text-to-image first: see fal-text-to-image

---

fal.ai Image-to-Video Models

Complete reference for all image animation and image-to-video models on fal.ai.

Kling Image-to-Video

Kling 2.0 Image-to-Video

Endpoint: fal-ai/kling-video/v2.0/image-to-video Best For: Standard image animation

import { fal } from "@fal-ai/client";

const result = await fal.subscribe("fal-ai/kling-video/v2.0/image-to-video", {
  input: {
    prompt: "The person slowly turns their head and smiles warmly",
    image_url: "https://example.com/portrait.jpg",
    duration: "5",
    aspect_ratio: "16:9"
  }
});

console.log(result.video.url);

import fal_client

result = fal_client.subscribe(
    "fal-ai/kling-video/v2.0/image-to-video",
    arguments={
        "prompt": "The person slowly turns their head and smiles",
        "image_url": "https://example.com/portrait.jpg",
        "duration": "5",
        "aspect_ratio": "16:9"
    }
)
print(result["video"]["url"])

Kling 2.5 Pro Image-to-Video

Endpoint: fal-ai/kling-video/v2.5/pro/image-to-video Best For: Professional quality animation

const result = await fal.subscribe("fal-ai/kling-video/v2.5/pro/image-to-video", {
  input: {
    prompt: "The car drives forward along the mountain road, camera follows",
    image_url: "https://example.com/car-scene.jpg",
    duration: "5",
    aspect_ratio: "16:9",
    negative_prompt: "static, frozen, distorted"
  }
});

Kling 2.6 Pro Image-to-Video (Latest)

Endpoint: fal-ai/kling-video/v2.6/pro/image-to-video Best For: Highest quality with native audio

const result = await fal.subscribe("fal-ai/kling-video/v2.6/pro/image-to-video", {
  input: {
    prompt: "The waterfall cascades down with a gentle roar, birds fly past",
    image_url: "https://example.com/waterfall.jpg",
    duration: "5",
    aspect_ratio: "16:9"
  }
});

console.log(result.video.url);
console.log(result.audio?.url);  // Native audio

Kling Parameters:

| Parameter | Type | Values | Description | |-----------|------|--------|-------------| | prompt | string | - | Motion description | | image_url | string | - | Source image URL | | duration | string | "5", "10" | Duration in seconds | | aspect_ratio | string | "16:9", "9:16", "1:1" | Output dimensions | | negative_prompt | string | - | What to avoid |

MiniMax Image-to-Video

MiniMax Hailuo

Endpoint: fal-ai/minimax-video/image-to-video Best For: Reliable image animation with prompt optimization

const result = await fal.subscribe("fal-ai/minimax-video/image-to-video", {
  input: {
    prompt: "The cat stretches and yawns, then walks forward",
    image_url: "https://example.com/sleeping-cat.jpg",
    prompt_optimizer: true  // Auto-enhance prompt
  }
});

result = fal_client.subscribe(
    "fal-ai/minimax-video/image-to-video",
    arguments={
        "prompt": "The cat stretches and yawns",
        "image_url": "https://example.com/cat.jpg",
        "prompt_optimizer": True
    }
)

MiniMax Parameters:

| Parameter | Type | Description | |-----------|------|-------------| | prompt | string | Motion description | | image_url | string | Source image URL | | prompt_optimizer | boolean | Auto-enhance prompt |

LTX Image-to-Video

LTX Video Image-to-Video

Endpoint: fal-ai/ltx-video/image-to-video Best For: Fast image animation

const result = await fal.subscribe("fal-ai/ltx-video/image-to-video", {
  input: {
    prompt: "The flowers sway gently in the breeze",
    image_url: "https://example.com/flower-field.jpg",
    negative_prompt: "static, frozen",
    num_inference_steps: 30,
    guidance_scale: 7.5
  }
});

LTX Video v2 Image-to-Video

Endpoint: fal-ai/ltx-video/v2/image-to-video Best For: Improved quality animation

const result = await fal.subscribe("fal-ai/ltx-video/v2/image-to-video", {
  input: {
    prompt: "Smoke rises and swirls from the chimney",
    image_url: "https://example.com/cabin.jpg",
    num_inference_steps: 35,
    guidance_scale: 7.0
  }
});

LTX Parameters:

| Parameter | Type | Default | Description | |-----------|------|---------|-------------| | prompt | string | - | Motion description | | image_url | string | - | Source image | | negative_prompt | string | - | What to avoid | | num_inference_steps | number | 30 | Quality steps | | guidance_scale | number | 7.5 | Prompt adherence |

Runway Gen-3 Image-to-Video

Runway Gen-3 Turbo

Endpoint: fal-ai/runway-gen3/turbo/image-to-video Best For: Fast iteration, previews

const result = await fal.subscribe("fal-ai/runway-gen3/turbo/image-to-video", {
  input: {
    prompt: "The model walks confidently down the runway",
    image_url: "https://example.com/fashion-shot.jpg",
    duration: 5
  }
});

Runway Parameters:

| Parameter | Type | Values | Description | |-----------|------|--------|-------------| | prompt | string | - | Motion description | | image_url | string | - | Source image | | duration | number | 5, 10 | Seconds |

Luma Dream Machine

Luma Image-to-Video

Endpoint: fal-ai/luma-dream-machine Best For: Creative, artistic animation

const result = await fal.subscribe("fal-ai/luma-dream-machine", {
  input: {
    prompt: "The magical portal opens with swirling energy",
    image_url: "https://example.com/fantasy-scene.jpg",
    aspect_ratio: "16:9",
    loop: true  // Create seamless loop
  }
});

result = fal_client.subscribe(
    "fal-ai/luma-dream-machine",
    arguments={
        "prompt": "The portal opens with swirling energy",
        "image_url": "https://example.com/scene.jpg",
        "aspect_ratio": "16:9",
        "loop": True
    }
)

Luma Parameters:

| Parameter | Type | Description | |-----------|------|-------------| | prompt | string | Motion description | | image_url | string | Source image | | aspect_ratio | string | "16:9", "9:16", "1:1" | | loop | boolean | Create looping video |

Wan Image-to-Video

Wan v2.1 Image-to-Video

Endpoint: fal-ai/wan/v2.1/1.3b/image-to-video Best For: Lightweight animation

const result = await fal.subscribe("fal-ai/wan/v2.1/1.3b/image-to-video", {
  input: {
    prompt: "The leaves flutter and fall from the tree",
    image_url: "https://example.com/autumn-tree.jpg",
    num_frames: 81
  }
});

Stable Video Diffusion

SVD Image-to-Video

Endpoint: fal-ai/stable-video-diffusion Best For: Open-source image animation

const result = await fal.subscribe("fal-ai/stable-video-diffusion", {
  input: {
    image_url: "https://example.com/landscape.jpg",
    motion_bucket_id: 127,  // 0-255, higher = more motion
    fps: 7,
    num_frames: 25
  }
});

SVD Parameters:

| Parameter | Type | Default | Description | |-----------|------|---------|-------------| | image_url | string | - | Source image | | motion_bucket_id | number | 127 | Motion intensity (0-255) | | fps | number | 7 | Frames per second | | num_frames | number | 25 | Total frames | | seed | number | - | For reproducibility |

SVD XT

Endpoint: fal-ai/stable-video-diffusion-xt Best For: Extended video length

const result = await fal.subscribe("fal-ai/stable-video-diffusion-xt", {
  input: {
    image_url: "https://example.com/scene.jpg",
    motion_bucket_id: 127,
    num_frames: 25,
    fps: 6
  }
});

CogVideoX Image-to-Video

CogVideoX-5B Image-to-Video

Endpoint: fal-ai/cogvideox-5b/image-to-video Best For: Open-source alternative

const result = await fal.subscribe("fal-ai/cogvideox-5b/image-to-video", {
  input: {
    prompt: "The astronaut waves to the camera",
    image_url: "https://example.com/astronaut.jpg",
    num_inference_steps: 50,
    guidance_scale: 6.0
  }
});

Model Comparison

Quality Ranking

| Tier | Models | Quality | Speed | |------|--------|---------|-------| | Premium | Kling 2.6 Pro | Highest | Slow | | Professional | Kling 2.5 Pro, Runway | High | Medium | | Standard | MiniMax, LTX v2 | Good | Fast | | Budget | SVD, CogVideoX | Acceptable | Fast |

Feature Comparison

| Model | Audio | Duration | Loop | Best For | |-------|-------|----------|------|----------| | Kling 2.6 Pro | Yes | 5-10s | No | Cinematic | | Kling 2.5 Pro | No | 5-10s | No | Professional | | MiniMax | No | 6s | No | Reliable | | Runway Turbo | No | 5-10s | No | Fast | | Luma | No | 5s | Yes | Creative | | SVD | No | 3-4s | No | Open source |

Prompt Engineering for Image Animation

Motion Description Structure

[Subject action] + [Motion quality] + [Camera movement] + [Atmosphere]

Examples:

// Good: Specific motion
"The woman slowly turns her head to the right and smiles, gentle breeze moves her hair"

// Bad: Vague
"The woman moves"

Motion Types

| Type | Keywords | Example | |------|----------|---------| | Character | "walks", "runs", "dances", "gestures" | "She waves hello" | | Nature | "sways", "flows", "rustles", "falls" | "Leaves fall gently" | | Mechanical | "rotates", "spins", "moves", "opens" | "The door opens slowly" | | Atmospheric | "drifts", "swirls", "rises", "disperses" | "Fog drifts across" |

Camera Motion Keywords

| Keyword | Effect | |---------|--------| | "camera slowly pans" | Horizontal sweep | | "slight zoom in" | Gradual zoom | | "tracking shot" | Follows subject | | "static camera" | No camera movement | | "subtle camera shake" | Handheld feel |

Quality Modifiers

• "smooth motion"
• "natural movement"
• "fluid animation"
• "subtle motion"
• "cinematic"

Complete Parameter Reference

interface ImageToVideoInput {
  // Required
  prompt: string;
  image_url: string;

  // Duration (varies by model)
  duration?: number | string;

  // Dimensions
  aspect_ratio?: "16:9" | "9:16" | "1:1";

  // Quality
  negative_prompt?: string;
  num_inference_steps?: number;
  guidance_scale?: number;

  // Model-specific
  prompt_optimizer?: boolean;  // MiniMax
  loop?: boolean;              // Luma
  motion_bucket_id?: number;   // SVD (0-255)
  fps?: number;                // SVD
  num_frames?: number;         // SVD, Wan

  // Reproducibility
  seed?: number;
}

Workflow Examples

Portrait Animation Pipeline

// 1. Generate a portrait image
const portrait = await fal.subscribe("fal-ai/flux/dev", {
  input: {
    prompt: "Professional headshot of a business woman, neutral expression, studio lighting",
    image_size: "portrait_4_3"
  }
});

// 2. Animate the portrait
const video = await fal.subscribe("fal-ai/kling-video/v2.5/pro/image-to-video", {
  input: {
    prompt: "She slowly turns her head, makes eye contact with camera, and gives a warm professional smile",
    image_url: portrait.images[0].url,
    duration: "5",
    aspect_ratio: "16:9"
  }
});

console.log(video.video.url);

Product Showcase

// Animate product image
const result = await fal.subscribe("fal-ai/minimax-video/image-to-video", {
  input: {
    prompt: "The camera slowly rotates around the product, highlighting details, studio lighting",
    image_url: "https://example.com/product-shot.jpg",
    prompt_optimizer: true
  }
});

Nature Scene

// Create ambient nature video
const result = await fal.subscribe("fal-ai/luma-dream-machine", {
  input: {
    prompt: "Gentle breeze moves through the grass, clouds drift slowly overhead, peaceful ambient motion",
    image_url: "https://example.com/landscape.jpg",
    aspect_ratio: "16:9",
    loop: true  // Perfect for background video
  }
});

Fast Preview Workflow

// Quick preview with faster model
const preview = await fal.subscribe("fal-ai/stable-video-diffusion", {
  input: {
    image_url: sourceImage,
    motion_bucket_id: 100
  }
});

console.log("Preview:", preview.video.url);

// If satisfied, use higher quality model
const final = await fal.subscribe("fal-ai/kling-video/v2.6/pro/image-to-video", {
  input: {
    prompt: "Refined motion description based on preview",
    image_url: sourceImage,
    duration: "5"
  }
});

Best Practices

Image Preparation

1. High Resolution: Use high-quality source images
2. Clear Subject: Ensure main subject is clearly visible
3. Proper Framing: Leave room for motion
4. Consistent Lighting: Avoid harsh shadows

Prompt Tips

1. Describe the motion, not the static scene
2. Be specific about direction (left, right, forward)
3. Include speed (slowly, quickly, gradually)
4. Match motion to image content

Common Issues

| Issue | Cause | Solution | |-------|-------|----------| | Static output | Vague prompt | Add specific motion verbs | | Distorted faces | Fast motion | Use "subtle", "gentle" | | Inconsistent motion | Complex scene | Focus on one element | | Cut-off motion | Short duration | Extend duration if available |

Model Selection

| Use Case | Recommended Model | |----------|-------------------| | Portraits | Kling 2.5/2.6 Pro | | Products | MiniMax (prompt optimizer) | | Landscapes | Luma (loop option) | | Fast testing | SVD, Runway Turbo | | With audio | Kling 2.6 Pro |