Now in its 15th year, Locarno’s think tank StepIn will debate “Power, People, Data and the Future of Film.”
“Last year, StepIn focused on one of the defining qualities of independent cinema: the willingness to embrace risk. One of the strongest conclusions from those discussions was that playing it safe is rarely the smartest strategy,” said Marcello Paolillo, Locarno Pro, StepIn and U30 Project Manager.
“After all, audiences fall in love with films because they’re original, surprising and emotionally truthful. Yet we are increasingly surrounded by algorithms, sophisticated data analysis, AI and systems designed to reduce uncertainty, predict outcomes and optimize decisions.”
The event will explore how power structures, human capital, politics, AI, data-driven decision-making and increasing industry consolidation are reshaping the future of independent cinema.
Approaching the subject from “four interconnected perspectives,” it will allow the participants to discuss the following topics: “Films vs. Formula: Algorithms, Consolidation and Creative Freedom,” “Sustainable Indie Financing: Connecting Private Investors with Sales Agents and Market Realities,” “Why Cinema Still Matters: Activism, Social Relevance and Audience Renewal” and “Gender Equality and the Cost of Inclusion: Who Can Afford to Build a Career in This Industry?”
