Program and Speakers

This year’s Zurich Summit will not only address relevant industry topics such as AI, streaming and film financing, but also timely global political questions and their impact on entertainment, which the conference aims to provide solutions for. The speaker lineup will be announced soon.

On September 27, 2025, the Zurich Summit Conference will focus on the following topics:  

AI

• Beyond Imagination: Creativity in the Age of AI

OpenAI’s Sora and Runway’s Gen-4 are just a few powerful tools and AI models that are severely revolutionizing the Film & TV industry. In the age of generative AI, what does the future of entertainment and content creation look like, and what creative role does AI play in it?

YouTube & Social Media

• How YouTube, TikTok and Instagram are rivaling the studios/streamers for eyeballs and shaping cultural narratives

As YouTubers and TikTokers reach as many people as legacy media and streaming platforms with their content, what drives and motivates audiences to use their spare time to gravitate online to consume entertainment from influencers in the era of the creator economy?

Politics in Entertainment

• How does the entertainment industry navigate through times of political turmoil?

Art has always reflected on societal changes, as well as the current political landscape to comment on and challenge the status quo. As the entertainment business faces scrutiny and backlash in a heated climate, what role does the industry play?

Finance & Production

• With the emergence of European and international production hubs and incentives, is Hollywood still relevant?

Despite the infrastructure and experienced talent available, inflation and high production costs make it difficult to shoot in the US, especially Los Angeles – the entertainment capital of the world. As producers are looking elsewhere to shoot, Europe is offering lucrative opportunities, such as generous tax incentive schemes, and state-of-the-art sound stages to lure productions.

Sales & Distribution

• The economics of indie film: How to make a profit with the right release strategy?

Despite arthouse cinema soaring at the awards stage, the decline of box office has provided fiscal challenges for the indie sector. What is the right release strategy in a competitive marketplace for economic success?

Awards

• How can awards and its show remain the dominant cultural zeitgeist force?

Facing rating challenges, what initiatives do award organizations take to engage young audiences to keep the cinematic arts at the forefront of the cultural conversation?

Film Festivals

• How can film festivals stay relevant?

Conflicts and financial cuts: Global issues, ranging from war to inflation, and societal changes have created many challenges. The film festival circuit has faced much disruption, including funding shortfalls, leading to crisis for these vital cultural organizations. Amid rapid shifts in consumer and industry behavior, what is the potency of festivals?

Game Changer Conversation with Tom Quinn

Want to explore past editions oft he Zurich Summit? Here you will find our programs from previous years.

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