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The HPA Tech Retreat is SOLD OUT! Join Waitlist

Key Dates

  • Innovation Zone Open for Applications – Closed
  • Member Registration OpenAugust 16, 2024
  • Call for Proposals For Conference Sessions deadline – October 18, 2024
  • Non-Member Registration Open – November 15, 2024 (Become a Member for discounted registrations!)
  • Speaker Notifications – November 2024
  • Cancellation Deadline for Conference Registrations – January 23, 2025

About the HPA Tech Retreat:

The HPA Tech Retreat is unique among entertainment industry events, where world-class leaders in engineering, technology, creativity, and business step away from their daily routines to explore and experience the most compelling topics in content creation, management, and dissemination. This exclusive gathering fosters authentic discussions among experts, offering insights and debates that you won’t find anywhere else.

At The HPA Tech Retreat, ideas are rigorously examined and debated not only in onstage presentations but throughout every moment of the event—from spirited golf tournaments and intimate roundtable breakfasts to evening dinners and nightcaps.

As a non-profit trade association, The HPA Tech Retreat is dedicated to advancing the interests of the professional entertainment industry. From studio executives to creatives, technologists to engineers, the Tech Retreat provides answers, education, and resources to help shape the future of our field.

What to Expect at Tech Retreat:

Experience five days of dynamic and engaging programming at the Tech Retreat, where each day is balanced with expert-led on-stage presentations and numerous opportunities for networking and fun. From in-depth discussions to relaxed social activities, the Tech Retreat is designed to be both enlightening and enjoyable.

Here’s what you can look forward to at the HPA Tech Retreat:

Main Stage Presentations:
The Tech Retreat features main-stage programming from Monday to Thursday. Monday and Tuesday’s sessions are curated by HPA volunteers based on the most compelling issues, technologies, and trends in the industry. Wednesday and Thursday sessions come from submissions sent in by experts across various disciplines, curated by Mark Schubin. The call for proposals for these sessions is open to anyone interested in presenting from August 1 – October 18.

Breakfast Roundtables:
Start your day with a blend of delicious food and insightful discussion at our breakfast roundtables. Pull up a chair and engage with a group of thought leaders as subject matter experts present on various topics in a relaxed, informal setting. Enjoy your parfait while asking questions, debating ideas, and expanding your knowledge. It’s Bon Appétit with a side of insight. Interested in hosting a roundtable? Click here.

Innovation and Networking:
The on-stage programming is only the beginning. From Monday to Wednesday, attendees can explore the latest advancements at the Innovation Zone, an interactive environment where you can kick the tires on the latest, greatest, and coolest technologies. The Innovation Zone is the place for a cocktail reception on Tuesday and a food truck extravaganza on Wednesday evening for a fun networking boost alongside numerous other brunches, lunches, and parties throughout the week. Interested in showcasing your technology in the Innovation Zone? Click here.

An Exclusive Venue:
The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa is dedicated entirely to the 2025 HPA Tech Retreat. Beginning February 16th, this resort will be an exclusive and lively nexus for the tech and creative communities. That’s right, the entire venue will be in full Tech Retreat mode, from the Sunday golf tournament to the final 30th Anniversary Celebration, fostering an environment ripe for networking and innovation.

Golf Tournament and Sunday Activities:
For those who want to enjoy a little time in the desert before the sessions kick-off, Sunday Funday is for you. Attendees can join a range of activities including our 2nd Golf Tournament, yoga, pickleball or just some pool time in the sun.

Relax And Recharge:
Throughout the week attendees will have access to our relaxation lounge, where you can recharge after some hardcore learning and networking. Or, enjoy one of the many resort offerings such as yoga, pickleball, or the day spa. Corporate Members get to unwind in an enhanced VIP member lounge with premium amenities.

The Who’s Who of the Industry:
Participants at the HPA Tech Retreat span a diverse range of backgrounds, from Oscar winners and studio technology chiefs to NASA scientists and executives from leading tech hubs. Whether you’re just starting in the industry or you’re an established legend, everyone is welcome. This is a space where every voice and perspective matters. Attendees come together to engage deeply with forward-looking trends and technologies in the content creation ecosystem, tackling current issues from fresh and varied viewpoints.

How to Participate

The HPA Tech Retreat is what it is because of its incredible participants — from presenters and attendees to sponsors and IZ participants. There are many ways to get involved, and we’d love to have you do so!

  • Attend: You can’t participate if you’re not in attendance! HPA Member registration opens on August 16. Non-member registration opens on November 15.
  • Sponsorship: Showcase your support and gain visibility with the people in our industry that matter. There is a wide range of sponsorship opportunities, and we’d love your support!
  • Present: Share your expertise by submitting a proposal for a Wednesday/Thursday presentation.
  • Innovation Zone: Apply to showcase your company’s latest innovations.
  • Breakfast Roundtables: Contribute to informal discussions each morning on topics of your choice.
  • HPA Membership: Join the community and enhance your engagement. Membership includes discounted rates, exclusive registration windows, access to our member lounge, and so much more.
View Schedule »

Tech Retreat Features

Monday

TR-X

TR-X is a half-day deep dive into a new topic each year. From sports broadcasting to extreme production, the topic may change each year, but the insights are always mind-blowing. Curated by Mark Chiolis.

Tuesday

Supersession

Why so super? This session has been on the cutting edge of technology and workflows in today’s ever-changing landscape. Simply put, this day is not to be missed – in the past, we’ve put together short films live from across the globe, installed two state-of-the-art 3D theaters in the ballroom to showcase the workflows of “Avatar: The Way of Water,” and last year a deep dive into AI and advanced animation filmmaking techniques. Stay tuned for what’s in store this year…

Wednesday/Thursday

Peer-Presented Sessions

The launchpad and very foundation of the Tech Retreat. Two full days of panels and presentations about the most important and intriguing ideas today, given by the people who know the most about them–you! Curated by Mark Schubin.

Innovation Zone

Innovation Zone

Open Monday-Wednesday, the Innovation Zone is where individuals and companies showcase their newest and most innovative technologies with the participants of the HPA Tech Retreat.

View Speakers »

Look Who’s Talking…

Access brilliance

Graef Allen

Dolby Laboratories

Richard Atkinson

Artificial Individual Intelligence

Bill Baggelaar

UHD Alliance

Hanno Basse

Stability AI

Holly Beavon

I2A2 Technologies, Studios, & Labs

Yves Bergquist

Entertainment Technology Center @ USC

Dane Brehm

Cintegral

Kathryn Brillhart

Mark Chiolis

Mobile TV Group

Martin Christien

iodyne

Michael Cioni

Strada

Dave Clark

Promise

Travis Couture

Twelve Labs

Margaret Craig

Signiant

Richard Crudo

Sally-Ann D’Amato

SMPTE

Jason Dachman

SVG

Dave Davis

Protege

Rowan de Pomerai

DPP

Lee Eigner

Sony Music Vision

Barbara Ford Grant

Carin Forman

AWS

Tahirah Foy

ArsenalFX Color

Craig German

HPA

Mathew Gilliat-Smith

ConvergentDS

Brandin Grams

The Rowing Channel
Ed Grogan

Ed Grogan

Department of Defense

Kari Grubin

HPA

Seth Hallen

Hallstone Ventures

Mark Harrison

DPP

Kevin Haug

KTH_VFX

Ethan Jacks

MediaBridge Capital Advisors

Renard Jenkins

I2A2 Technologies, Studios & Labs

Ryan Khurana

MLSE

Josh Kline

Scripto

Oz Krakowski

Deepdub

Daniel Kramer

Denys Krasnikov

Vidby.AI

Barbara Lange

Kibo121

Alan Lasky

MSB

Soyoung Lee

Twelve Labs

Christina Lee Storm

Playbook PLBK / ASHER XR

Chris Lennon

Ross Video

Alex LoCasale

Torchlight, Sony Pictures Entertainment

Alex LoVerde

ProdPro

Andy Maltz

General Intelligence

Mathieu Mazerolle

Foundry

Bobby Micheletti

Universal Studios

Nick Monton

Company 3

Stan Moote

IABM

Christopher Nichols

Chaos

Emeka Okoli

Zixi

Morgan Prygrocki

Adobe

Paulo Rabello

Globo

Jerry Rees

Artificial Individual Intelligence

Keith Ritlop

ConvergentDS

Lina Sanchez

Fox Entertainment

Andy Scade

Pixelogic

Mark Schubin

HPA Tech Retreat

Lori H. Schwartz

StoryTech

Heidi Shakespeare

Memnon Archiving Services

David Slade

Jeremy Stapleton

NBCUniversal

Jordan Stein

Company 3

Chris Swan

AWS

Lin Tam

Immix Studios

Karyn Temple

Motion Picture Association

Todd Terrazas

FBRC.ai

Brian Tran

Thomas True

NVIDIA

Karol Urban

Angela Victor

Rachel Joy Victor

FBRC.ai

Chris Vienneau

MovieLabs
Erik Weaver

Erik Weaver

Entertainment Technology Center at USC

Kiera Williams

Kettle

Walter Woodman

Shy Kids

Starry Ye

Kelly Galindo Productions

Schedule

Tech Retreat 2025 Conference Program. Schedule is subject to change. Check Back – More to Come!

Sunday, February 16 | Resort Activities Day & Attendee Welcome Drinks

10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Registration Open
11:00 am
HPA Golf Tournament Check-In & Driving Range Opens
12:15 pm – 5:15 pm
HPA Golf Tournament & Lunch

(sponsorships available)

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Pickleball Tournament & Free Play
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Yoga
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Bourbon Tasting

Sponsored by Signiant

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Welcome Cocktails

All conference attendees welcome. Kick off the Tech Retreat in style and start the conversation over a cocktail or two.

Monday, February 17 | HPA TR-X, Innovation Zone

9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Registration Open
9:30 am – 11:00 am
Welcome Networking Brunch
9:30 am – 7:00 pm
Innovation Zone open for appointments
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
HPA TR-X: Affordable Production

This year, the popular TR-X session will focus on insights from behind the scenes of affordable productions. The afternoon includes case studies, panel discussions and keynotes that feature leading creatives and technologists who share experiences and expertise.  Panels and speakers will share their real-world experiences of bringing high end productions, sports productions, and lower budget productions to outstanding results with limited resources. Current panelists include a keynote from Michael Cioni, and discussions with Kathryn  Brillhart, Lori H. Schwartz, Angela Victor, Julian Higggins, Christopher Nichols, Alex LoCasale, Renard Jenkins, Erik Weaver, Jason Dachman, Brandin Grams,  David Shapiro, Nick Busto, Tahira Foy, Starry H. Focus, Brian Tran, Lina Sanchez, Kiera Williams and more.

1:00 pm – 1:10 pm
Setting the Stage

HPA Board Members, and HPA TR-X Co-Chairs, Mark Chiolis and Craig German, will take a few minutes to set the day up, provide an overview of the panels and presenters and let you know the walk-away expectations at the conclusion of today’s programs. HPA President Kari Grubin will kick things off with a 1-2 minute welcome at the very top.

  • Kari Grubin, HPA

    Kari Grubin

    HPA

    Kari Grubin is a distinguished executive with over 25 years of leadership experience in studio divisions, global post-production facilities, and corporate departments. She is recognized for her expertise in technology, strategic consulting, and post-production services.

    Kari is currently the President of the Hollywood Professional Association (HPA), where she has served on the Board of Directors and volunteered for many years. She co-founded HPA Women in Post in 2011, an initiative providing leadership and visibility for women in professional content creation. Alongside board member Loren Nielsen, she also helped launch the HPA Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) program, which has mentored nearly 200 young professionals. In 2021, Kari and Renard Jenkins initiated HPA All, a program to foster diversity in the media and entertainment community by promoting career pathways and visibility for underrepresented groups. She led the 2022 HPA Tech Retreat Supersession and is currently planning the 2025 Retreat with the HPA Program Committee.

    Currently, Kari serves as Membership Services Director for the Motion Picture Association’s Trusted Partner Network, where her focus is on enhanced security preparedness and best practices at all stages in the digital media supply chain.  Committed to industry innovation, Kari previously served as project director for SMPTE’s Rapid Industry Solutions on Set Virtual Production Initiative. In 2021, she joined the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Production and Technology Branch.

    Kari’s career includes executive roles at Universal Studios, Paramount Studios, Global Entertainment Partners (GEP), Deluxe Entertainment Services Group, NSS Labs, and Walt Disney Studios. She has contributed significantly to media technology and is listed as a co-inventor for three U.S. patents in media and entertainment technology.

  • Mark Chiolis, Mobile TV Group

    Mark Chiolis

    Mobile TV Group

    Mark Chiolis is the Director of Business Development for Mobile TV Group (MTVG), which provides facilities for over 4,500 live professional and college sports and entertainment events annually, with more than 35 mobile units, and dozens of remote Cloud Control facilities, based throughout the U.S.  MTVG has been leading the 4K/UHD/HDR/Cloud live event production with key broadcasters, networks and distribution companies.

    Mark is currently working to interface with customers and partners to develop and support MTVG’s entertainment, awards, corporate, concerts, egames, and esports events with current and new trucks, using both broadcast and cine workflows.

    Prior to MTVG, Chiolis worked in marketing, business development, and sales for Grass Valley, Thomson, Technicolor, Philips, and BTS as well as at television stations KMUV, KRBK and KVIE in Sacramento California.

    Chiolis is an active board member of the HPA, an associate member of the American Society of Cinematographers, member of the NAB Cine Consortium, member of the SciTech group at the Television Academy (Emmys), member of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), member of International Association of Aviation Photographers, past section manager of SMPTE, member of STE, SBE and California Broadcasters Association.

  • Craig German, HPA

    Craig German

    HPA

    Craig has spent most of his career in the entertainment industry, and for the past 20 years has held executive positions in post production and at Hollywood film and television studios, most recently as CEO of Crafty Apes, a visual effects company that works on Hollywood’s biggest blockbuster movies and premier TV shows. Prior to that, he spent three and a half years building and leading the Worldwide Post Production organization at Amazon Studios. Craig is currently advising corporate and startup clients on business strategy, product roadmap, market assessment, and sales outreach.

1:10 pm – 1:45 pm
Opening Keynote - Disruptive Pixels: The Big Power of Small Budgets

Serial entrepreneur and CEO Michael Cioni delivers a new wake-up call for industry professionals. The rules of media and entertainment are being rewritten again and a new class of tools and technology threaten to disrupt our production and post production infrastructure. Michael will dive into seismic shifts shaking our industry, exposing how new technology and platforms are challenging everything we thought we knew about making and distributing content. As consumer tastes evolve and the rise of user-generated content out-paces Hollywood, we’ll examine what happens when the status quo collides with a new wave.

  • Michael Cioni, Strada

    Michael Cioni

    Strada

    Michael Cioni celebrates 25 years as a recognized pioneer in storytelling technology. A four-time Emmy Award winner who was named as one of the Hollywood Reporter’s most influential figures in tech, Michael has founded and led multiple successful ventures including Light Iron, a trailblazing post production company acquired by Panavision. As Panavision’s SVP of Innovation, he led the team that built the groundbreaking Millennium DXL 8K camera system. At Frame.io, an Adobe company, Michael spearheaded their camera-to-cloud program, igniting an entirely new standard of cloud-based cinema acquisition and workflow.

    As both a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and an associate member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), Michael thrives at the intersection of creativity and technology. With his 3rd startup, Strada, Michael continues to push the technological boundaries within media and entertainment, combining expertise as an entrepreneur, innovator, team builder, and mentor.

1:45 pm – 2:25 pm
The Art of Filmmaking: Mastering Affordable Film Production
Join us for an insightful and practical panel discussion on the art of creating high-quality films without breaking the bank. This panel features a diverse group of young industry leaders who will share different creative solutions, budget management tips, equipment and technology options, collaboration facts and post-production workflows that will help you to create top notch quality films on a tight budget. This panel promises to be an engaging and educational experience, offering practical advice and real-world examples from those who have mastered the art of affordable filmmaking.
  • Moderator: Lina Sanchez, Fox Entertainment

    Lina Sanchez

    Fox Entertainment

    Lina is an experienced Post Producer, Producer and Filmmaker at heart. Her visionary perspectives and her ability to work in two different languages and countries have given her the opportunity to work on various prominent and global projects across a variety of formats with studios including Netflix, Disney and Fox Entertainment. Lina, with her passion for storytelling, works everyday to develop and execute projects with the highest standards of quality, with the purpose to inspire people to change the world through audiovisual means.

    Lina’s ability to connect with different people and cultures make her a valuable asset to the industry. She currently works as a Marketing Post Producer for Fox Entertainment, and has served as a Co-chair of the Hollywood Professional Association (HPA)’s Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) as well as their Networking, Education and Technology Program (NET), both of which have been designed to offer mentoring, education and community engagement for people of the entertainment industry. She also created a podcast focused on sharing important conversations and skills to navigate the ins and outs of Hollywood, and is currently in the post production phase of her latest short film.

  • Tahirah Foy, ArsenalFX Color

    Tahirah Foy

    ArsenalFX Color

    Tahirah Foy is a talented colorist with extensive professional experience in color grading for scripted television series, theatrical feature films, made for television movies, unscripted specials, documentary series, music artist visual albums, short form network promotional material, and television/film restoration. She is a young, talented, technically adept artist entering the next exciting phase of her professional journey as a colorist.

    Based in Los Angeles, CA, Tahirah draws visual inspiration from still photography, street art, fine art, personal experiences and travel. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film & Media Culture and Economics from Middlebury College in 2010 and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Media Arts from Emerson College in 2014. She began her career as a Post-Production Coordinator in short form promo for numerous network campaigns and served as a Post Production Coordinator on the AMC series Fear the Walking Dead. Tahirah transitioned to the roles of Finishing Editor and Color Assist in 2018. In 2019, she joined HBO as a Final Picture Colorist, where was one of the Colorist in the internal HBO restoration team that remastered nearly 100 episodes of the hit series Sex
    and the City and the first two season of the critically acclaimed Six Feet Under.

    Tahirah is currently a Senior Colorist at ArsenalFX Color where she have served as Final Colorist for Season 1 of the BET’s #1 drama Series “Average Joe”, Hulu and Onyx Collective’s Original docuseries “Black Twitter: A People’s History, Keke Palmer’s Amazon Music visual album “Big Boss”, the Hallmark Original television movie “Rescuing Christmas”, and Sony Pictures International feature film “Caras Vemos”. She also provides additional color for the 21st Season of ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy”.

    As a colorist Tahirah strives to understand the creative vision and create a safe space for visual exploration. She uses her professional experience and skillsets to help make each creative idea as clear, captivating, and engaging as possible. Tahirah understands striking visuals are about a world built from our emotions and human experiences, both as individuals and as a collective. As a colorist she trusts the theoretical visual language of color grading just as much as the technical building blocks of the color science. She enjoys being on the frontlines of industry innovation and approaches each project with openness and a collaborative spirit.

  • Brian Tran

    Brian Tran

    An alum of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Academy Gold program, as well as HPA’s Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) program, Brian initially began his career as a technologist, but his creative flame unexpectedly drew him into entertainment. After taking a course taught by Disney Imagineers, he made his entry through designing museum exhibits, as well as crafting VR/AR/MR/XR experiences, including at Dreamscape Immersive, alongside former Imagineers. He soon found himself in themed entertainment, guiding production for a variety of location-based immersive experiences, including media for attractions at Super Nintendo World, which introduced him to collaborating with digital artists and animators. The excitement and enthusiasm he carried away from that collaboration led him to fully immerse himself in VFX and animation, most recently facilitating the production of visualization for feature and series projects, including Black Adam (2022), The Flash (2023), and Blue Beetle (2023), among other as yet unreleased titles, as well as a 2D animated short, bé hồng (Little Persimmon) (2024), as part of Asians in Animation’s inaugural Animation Industry Immersive Lab program.

    A proud proponent of DEIB initiatives and supporter of diverse voices, he is committed to championing authentic, inclusive, and immersive storytelling by empowering artists and creators to explore and push the boundaries of media content (especially animation) to achieve truth.

  • Starry Ye, Kelly Galindo Productions

    Starry Ye

    Kelly Galindo Productions

    Starry Ye is a professional documentary filmmaker based in L.A. Graduated from Dodge College of Film & Media Arts at Chapman University, Starry started her journey with CNN. She contributed to producing three true crime docu-series for CNN’s Headline News and two high-profile and nationally televised trials for CNN’s special live coverages: The Killing of Ahmaud Arbery and The Kyle Rittenhouse Trial. These experiences not only honed her journalistic approach, but also sharpened her research and investigative skills, including analyzing complex case materials and sourcing archival footage.

    In 2022, Starry worked in post-production on the Emmy-nominated Netflix docu-series The Andy Warhol Diaries. She later joined the team of NBCUniversal’s The End Is Nye, collaborating with Bill Nye on science-focused storytelling. In Starry’s filmmaking journey, she has participated in both production and post-production of documentaries and scripted shows with CNN, Netflix, NBCUniversal, and award-winning independent documentaries, combining creative vision with meticulous research and storytelling.

    Most recently, Starry worked on multiple Emmy-winning Netflix shows, including John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in L.A. She is also a National Member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the Visual Effects Society (VES).

  • Kiera Williams, Kettle

    Kiera Williams

    Kettle

    Kiera Williams is a purpose-driven filmmaker and creative strategist at Kettle, where she merges storytelling with digital-first strategies to create impactful narratives.

    A seasoned collaborator, Kiera has contributed to award-winning projects in roles such as Impact Producer for There Goes the Neighborhood and the PBS documentary 93QUEEN, and as Cinematographer on the feature An Introduction to Thribing. She has also served as Assistant Director on bilingual international films Alone Alone Alone on a Wide Wide Sea and Key Lime Pie.

    Her filmmaking explores themes of grief, mental health, reconciliation, and spiritual freedom. Kiera’s work has earned her accolades like the Oxford Centre for Fantasy Writing Fellowship and a spot in the Soho House Creative Mentorship Program.

    Kiera previously worked at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, where she championed rising filmmakers through Academy Gold’s social channels and managed the Academy’s platforms during the 96th Oscars. Her storytelling philosophy inspires audiences to reflect deeply on their own lives and purpose.

    As a speaker, Kiera has shared her insights on storytelling and production at prominent events such as the Bloomberg Screentime Conference in Los Angeles and the Moving Picture Institute’s Intern Summit.

    Whether on set or on stage, Kiera is committed to making stories accessible and meaningful, empowering underrepresented voices in every corner of the industry.

2:25 pm – 2:55 pm
Behind the Scenes of MrBeast, A Conversation

MrBeast latest venture with Amazon Prime “Beast Games” is a large-scale multi-cam reality TV contest series breaking boundaries in the way TV production is recorded, edited, and delivered. Known for pushing creative and technical boundaries, MrBeast’s team is merging the fast-paced, highly dynamic world of YouTube with the rigorous demands of broadcast-level television production

To manage ingest and fast turnaround for editorial, the show utilized an advanced DIT workflow, 25 on-site editors, ingesting to an impressive 2.5 PB solid-state shared storage road case that was backed up and transported across to Greenville, NC for finishing.

Attendees will gain a behind-the-scenes look into the technology implemented to meet the unique demands of this fast-moving and large-scale production, with zero downtime and flawless execution. Shawn Hendrix, Chief of Staff and Joshua Kulic, Head of Post Production of MrBeast an in-depth interview during the HPA 2025 Retreat, offering further insights into the production process.

  • Shawn Hendrix, MrBeast

    Shawn Hendrix

    MrBeast

    In case you’re wondering, Jimmy hired me after the 100 days video. We spent a lot of time together during it and I decided I wanted to be apart of more videos!

  • Joshua Kulic, MrBeast

    Joshua Kulic

    MrBeast

    Storyteller, tech-obsessed, gearhead, and lover of media, who is constantly expanding their skillset. Years of experience in all avenues of Production across TV, Commerical, New Media, Sports, and eSports. Well-versed in both the creative and technical avenues of production.

2:55 pm – 3:25 pm
Finding Production Efficiency through Technical Advancement

In the past five years, the production pipeline within media entertainment has seen foundational shifts in its infrastructure. In that same timeframe, the overall industry, has seen a reduction in budgets and an increase in calls for efficiency. Technological advances in hardware, software, artificial intelligence and machine learning are ushering in new options to address these needs. Please join Rachael Joy Victor, Denys Krasnikov, and Renard T. Jenkins as they discuss and present technical advancements that are providing viable options to support new and efficient workflows.

  • Moderator: Renard Jenkins, I2A2 Technologies, Studios & Labs

    Renard Jenkins

    I2A2 Technologies, Studios & Labs

    Renard T. Jenkins is the President and CEO of I2A2 Technologies, Studios, and Labs. A software development and consulting firm specializing in the creation of ethically responsible tools, solutions, and experiences for the M&E, Marketing & Research, Education, and Healthcare industries, utilizing both emerging and traditional technologies. Jenkins is an experienced executive in the Technology, Film, Television, and Radio industries. Jenkins also currently serves as Vice President of the Hollywood Professionals Association, Immediate Past President of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, and sits on the board of Exceptional Minds. He is
    also an active member of the Television Academy and The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. He has held Executive roles across the Technology, Media, and Entertainment industry.

    Prior to rejoining WarnerMedia and Warner Bros., Jenkins served as Vice President, Operations, Engineering, and Distribution at PBS, where he designed and led the strategic direction, technology development, engineering, and operational management of PBS’s entire media-supply chain. He has also worked for TV One, Discovery, ESPN, NBA Ent., MLB, NFL, and Turner Broadcasting.

    Jenkins is a recipient of numerous awards, including two national Emmys, a Peabody, two Headliners, and a 2020 Broadcasting and Cable Technology Leadership award. In 2017, Jenkins was recognized as an Innovator of the Year award recipient for his groundbreaking contributions to the fields of Ultra High Definition (UHD), High Dynamic Range (HDR), Next Generation Audio (NGA) technologies, and supply chain management through his work at the PBS Advanced Format Center and various industry initiatives. Jenkins is a steadfast advocate for ethical conduct, inclusivity, innovation, diversity, equity, acceptance, accessibility, and the elimination of discriminatory biases within the technology and media sectors. Additionally, he holds certifications as a sound engineer, AI/ML engineer, and application designer among others. Jenkins holds a deep passion for the visual arts and, when time permits, offers pro bono services in location sound recording, live mixing, studio recording, post-production, and finishing for
    aspiring filmmakers, animators, and musicians. His family’s guiding principle is “In all things, integrity, and integrity in all things.”

  • Rachel Joy Victor, FBRC.ai

    Rachel Joy Victor

    FBRC.ai

    Rachel Joy Victor is the co-founder of FBRC.AI, a company focused on creating AI-supported tools for the future of content production–from films to games to location-based experiences. Rachel’s work as a designer, strategist, and worldbuilder for emerging technologies (XR/AI/web3) focuses on creating narrative, brand, and product experiences. She draws from her education in computational neuroscience and spatial economics to facilitate the creation of data-informed emergent experiences. Rachel’s clients have included Disney, HBO, Technicolor, Vans, Ford, Nike, Havas, Meow Wolf, Niantic, and many more. She is passionate about making technology accessible and has provided executive education for leading companies like Warner Brothers, NBCUniversal, Activision, UGG, and Red Bull–in addition to being a keynote speaker at leading industry events.

  • Denys Krasnikov, Vidby.AI

    Denys Krasnikov

    Vidby.AI

    AI professional in translation technologies with 10 years of experience; he started his startup projects after graduating from the Innovations in Economic Development Program at Harvard University in 2014, many years before the artificial intelligence boom. Denys has invested his time and money in developing breakthrough life-changing technologies of accurate AI localization of video and audio content and real-time voice translation solutions. Denys is a Google Cloud Innovator and Responsible AI Researcher. He is a Y Combinator School ’2019 Alumni; Ph.D., an executive member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, a member of the Hollywood Professional Association, and a vice president of the Ukrainian League of Industrialists & Entrepreneurs. In 2023, he was selected as a United Nations Consultant and Contractor for AI localization of educational content.

3:25 pm – 3:40 pm
Refreshment Break
3:40 pm – 4:25 pm
Get in The Game: Creative Strateiges to Make Sports Production More Affordable

Affordable can have many meanings in today’s live sports productions depending upon who you are, what you are working on and your distribution and delivery requirements. In the beginning you were limited to film production and the costs associated with the equipment and the media. As the industry transitioned to portable cameras and recorders the cost structure changed once again but for the most part still required a very large capital investment or high rental fees for the use of the equipment and crew. As the cost of the equipment has come down, with the same, similar, or even higher quality, the options for producing sporting events has opened up and allowed additional down market event coverage to be financially justified and is continuing to gain an audience. With smaller imaging devices, drones, 360 and AR/VR cameras and headsets these are continuing to expand the affordable options to the creative team to use in their toolset. Join SVG Editorial Director Jason Dachman as he moderates a panel of production executives and technologists that are working to democratize our workflows so that more events can be produced at an affordable price to hopefully continue growing the audience and demand for live sports production on a global basis. What are the new options they are working with, what challenges do they face and what results have they been able to generate as they continue to push the boundaries and challenge the status quo with today’s projects and their plans for the future.

  • Moderator: Jason Dachman, SVG

    Jason Dachman

    SVG

    Dachman oversees all aspects of SVG’s North American editorial operations – including all news on sportsvideo.org and the daily SVG Insider newsletter – and is one of the primary contributors to SVG’s coverage of the sports-video-production industry. A member of the SVG team since 2009, Dachman also serves as Program Director for SVG’s Esports Production Forum, Regional Sports Production Summit, Sports Content Management Forum, Sports Graphics Forum, SVG NEXT conference, and TranSPORT conference. Prior to joining SVG, he covered local sports for The Patriot Ledger in Quincy, MA, and served on the production staff of SiriusXM’s The Ron & Fez Show. Dachman began his career in the Sports Information department at Northeastern University in Boston, where he earned a BA in Media Communications and Cinema Studies. A native of Denver, CO, Jason currently resides in Queens, NY, with his wife Alyson and children Hank and June.

  • Brandin Grams, The Rowing Channel

    Brandin Grams

    The Rowing Channel

    Brandin is the co-founder of The Rowing Channel (TRC), now a platform of the Watersports Broadcasting Corporation (WBC). Once started by a trifecta of athletes between Orange Coast College and California State University, Long Beach, to pool resources to fulfill a gap of racing coverage, TRC became a national and even worldwide figure over the last 10 years. Supported by volunteers from our partnering broadcast and venue organizations, TRC became a cooperative effort of west-coast colleges, universities, athletic conferences and rowing organizations around the nation.

    Brandin’s team has established the production operations that became a standard, bar-none in places including, but not limited to, the Sacramento State Aquatic Center, the Lake Lanier Olympic Park, Newport Harbor, Mission Bay San Diego, Tempe Town Lake, the Chula Vista High Performance Center, the Dexter Lake State Recreation Area, and the Vancouver Lake State Recreation Areas.

    Brandin’s experience includes seven years at Intel working in network software development on edge computing, part of the technology that drives several sports data functions at venues around the country.

  • David Shapiro, Pixellot

    David Shapiro

    Pixellot

    David Shapiro is currently Pixellot’s President of North America. He is the former CEO of Steel Sports and brings with him nearly 20 years of experience in management, coaching, and corporate development in the youth sports arena. In addition to his time at Steel Sports, Shapiro spent 20 years as both a staff and board member at Positive Coaching Alliance, a national non-profit with the mission of developing ”Better Athletes, Better People”.

  • Nick Busto, NBC Sports NEXT
4:25 pm – 5:10 pm
Nimble Approach: Leveraging iPhones in Professional Production

The latest ETC R&D short demonstrates how iPhones can be used effectively in professional live-action shoots, offering a cost-efficient, agile solution without compromising quality. This session delves into the technical side of shooting with iPhones, covering essential considerations like data pipelines, lensing options, and other critical aspects of production. Learn how to execute seamless workflows, optimize image quality, and make the most of this nimble, cutting-edge tool in high-end filmmaking. Whether you’re shooting on a budget or exploring new creative possibilities, discover how the iPhone can elevate your production game.

  • Moderator: Erik Weaver, Entertainment Technology Center at USC
    Erik Weaver

    Erik Weaver

    Entertainment Technology Center at USC

    Erik Weaver is a producer, architect, and speaker specializing in the intersection of cloud technology and the media & entertainment (M&E) industry. He currently leads Virtual & Adaptive production projects at the University of Southern California’s Entertainment Technology Center (ETC), including work on ICVFX and Virtual Production. Weaver has held leadership roles, such as overseeing Global M&E Strategy for Western Digital and spearheading ETC’s “Production in the Cloud” initiative. He has also been an executive producer on several notable projects, including The Suitcase (CAA People’s Choice Award, Tribeca 2017) and Wonder Buffalo (SXSW Interactivity competition). His work has earned Emmy nominations and involves cutting-edge technologies like HDR, cloud workflows, and volumetric capture. Additionally, Weaver has chaired multiple industry events and contributed to standards groups like SMPTE C4 MR30, educating the M&E industry on data management and technology integration.

  • Dane Brehm, Cintegral

    Dane Brehm

    Cintegral

    Dane Brehm, Production Technologist & L600 Digital Imaging Technician has a long-standing desire to BE at the forefront of creativity, technology, sustainability, and workflow. His direct approach, sharing personality, and consideration for bringing meaningful approaches to workflow techniques and solutions is his passion.

    Dane balances his time between working on-set as a ICG DIT for ASC DPs; while running Cintegral.tech, a workflow company that focuses on introducing and implementing rentable high-performance enterprise NVMe/ SSD Storage and RAID systems. These systems improve the efficiency, cost effectiveness while increasing productivity for the End User on Location or on Stage. Cintegral’s creed the last six years has been “Fast Drives, Saves Lives”

    Dane’s company Cintegral has supported over 474 productions since 2016 to bridge modern 4K/6K/8K Studio and Streaming content data footprint for large format-multi-camera-VFX intensive Feature Films, Television shows, and Music Festivals. Dane’s connective personality has forged deep partnerships with  OEMs and Suppliers to develop tools and software for Union and Non-Union crews across the US, Pacific, Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

    Dane is an ASC Technical Instructor, SMPTE and Local 600 member, as well as a participant in the ASC-MITC Advanced Data Management working group.  He is a founding member of the DIT super group “DIT-WIT,” which comprises over 350 global members to discuss, share, develop, and execute the creative and technical needs of present and future productions. When he’s not participating he enjoys traveling with his Wife and Family, LAFC Football Matches, and is a avid Motorcyclist.

  • Martin Christien, iodyne

    Martin Christien

    iodyne

    Martin Christien is a workflow specialist with over 20 years experience working in production with the last decade spent working in workflow production technology for many high-end brands in the M&E space including the BBC, PostBox Systems, G-Technology, Fender, and iodyne. Martin has focused on the science of workflow efficiency to develop production pipelines and product that prepare for the tech that’s coming next.
    Now as Director of Workflow at iodyne, Martin is proud to help develop the tools for the future of filmmaking, creating a new perspective as to how we think about the hardware and software we use to tell stories.
    A self professed ‘MacGyver’, you’ll find him in the garage either building or breaking something, “either way we’re having fun right!”.

  • Sarah Ivy
5:10 pm – 5:50 pm
Cost-Effective Techniques for High-End Productions

Join industry filmmakers as they reveal how they achieve high-end production quality while working within tight budget constraints. This dynamic session will feature perspectives from experienced professionals, including directors, producers, visual effects artists, and studio executives. Dive into their workflows, learn about the challenges they faced, and hear their invaluable lessons and strategies for navigating cost-effective production. Gain actionable insights that you can apply to elevate your own projects and create impactful productions without breaking the bank.

  • Moderator: Lori H. Schwartz, StoryTech

    Lori H. Schwartz

    StoryTech

    Lori H. Schwartz is a nationally recognized technology catalyst (‘Tech Cat’). As a leading advisor and speaker in marketing and tech innovation, Lori collaborates with top creative and strategic executives of multiple brands, tech, and content companies to ensure their understanding of emerging business models while designing unique experiences to create engagement.

    Lori is a CNN Technology Contributor and a frequent speaker at major industry events. She also helps private companies facilitate conversations around new business models and technology innovation. Her StoryTech initiative facilitates communication between storytellers and technology companies. The trend briefings, curation, and tour products have become well known globally through their work @CES, @NAB, and private events. She frequently curates large trade show plenaries and hosts events to help drive conversations around the latest marketing and advertising technology as well as the latest content business models.

    Originally from New York, Lori is a long-time resident of the Los Angeles area. She is joined in her life journey by her fifteen-year-old daughter, whose near-instant grasp of new technologies underscores Lori’s quest to help companies and humans enjoy, and grow from the technologies increasingly defining our lives.

  • Kathryn Brillhart

    Kathryn Brillhart

    Kathryn Brillhart is a Cinematographer, Director, and Producer who leverages volumetric capture, visualization techniques, and supervising visual effects to enhance projects. For the past decade, she has helped to redefine best practices and standards in virtual production and has advocated for diversity in the film industry through her role on the Global Board of Directors for the Visual Effects Society and SMPTE’s Rapid Industry Solutions OSVP group. Kathryn is a member of the Virtual Production Committee within the ASC Motion Imaging and Technology Council as well as the Alliance of Women Directors and Women In Media. Her written work and case studies have been published by USC’s Entertainment Technology Center and SMPTE’s Motion Imaging Journal. With recent advancements in machine learning and generative AI, Kathryn participates in open source AI communities exploring integrations in both her independent and mainstream workflows.

    Her recent work and role as Virtual Production Supervisor, incorporates real-time game engine and virtual production techniques to achieve in-camera visual effects, including such projects as Warner Bros. Black Adam (2022), Netflix’s Rebel Moon (2023), Camille (2025), and Amazon Studios’ Fallout (2024).

  • Angela Victor

    Angela Victor

    Angela Victor brings extensive experience in production, post production, and VFX within the entertainment industry. With a proven ability to deliver complex projects on time and within budget, she has contributed to live events, scripted streaming and cable episodic content, unscripted series, independent feature films, and VFX trailers.

    Beyond hands-on production expertise, Angela has a background in strategic planning and consulting for network and cable television, offering a unique perspective on industry trends and audience engagement. She earned an MBA with a focus on finance and marketing and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt in Process Redesign, achieved through General Electric’s training while at NBC TV Network. Angela combines creative insights with data-driven strategies to drive innovation and efficiency in entertainment projects.

    Angela looks forward to sharing her expertise as a panelist, contributing to a meaningful discussion on The Art of Cost-Effective Techniques for High-End Productions.

  • Christopher Nichols, Chaos

    Christopher Nichols

    Chaos

    Christopher Nichols is a veteran of the Visual Effects industry with over three decades of experience in Computer Graphics. He is currently the Director of Special Projects at the Chaos Innovation Lab, where he spearheads cutting-edge initiatives at the intersection of creativity and technology. Christopher also hosts the popular CG Garage podcast, where he engages with industry experts to explore the latest advancements in Computer Graphics.

    As part of the Lab, Christopher has been working on integrating ray tracing into virtual production for over a decade, culminating in the development of Chaos’ Project Arena. He served as the producer on Ray Tracing FTW, the first proof of concept for Project Arena, showcasing the transformative potential of this innovative technology.

    Christopher holds a BA in Mathematics and Fine Arts from Colgate University and a Master’s in Architecture from Rice University. With a diverse background spanning VFX and Architecture, he has worked for leading firms such as Gensler, Digital Domain, Sony Imageworks, and Method Studios. His film credits include Maleficent, Oblivion, and Tron: Legacy.

  • Alex LoCasale, Torchlight, Sony Pictures Entertainment

    Alex LoCasale

    Torchlight, Sony Pictures Entertainment

    Strategic business leader with an acumen for building an inclusive and diverse culture, optimizing processes for productivity, and architecting deals for maximum profitability for the company and client.

    ✦ Strategist with Global Mindset – forward-thinking, find new pathways to success for both client and company, launching new divisions, orchestrating M&As between companies, and building lasting global relationships.
    ✦ Collaborative Leader – build better processes through collaboration and communication, working tirelessly to find a palatable solution for all stakeholders.
    ✦ Trustworthy Partner – operate at high level of integrity, decisive and transparent in business dealings and always focused on providing the best partnership opportunity to the client to gain their trust and loyalty.
    ✦ Mentor/Coach – model behavior and listen actively, seek and give advice, manage conflicts and mediate by providing avenues for open dialogue and forums, empowering team members to contribute and grow.

    “My philosophy is never to have a client/vendor relationship, but to create a partnership; being service to someone’s success as they are to my own.”

  • Andrew Kightlinger, Red Island Video Club

    Andrew Kightlinger

    Red Island Video Club

    Andrew Boodhoo Kightlinger was born and raised in Madagascar, later living in South Dakota. His mixed background continues to feed a prolific instinct for storytelling and exploring the human condition. His second feature film, LOST ON A MOUNTAIN IN MAINE, produced by Sylvester Stallone, released in theaters nationwide last year. He previously wrote and directed the indie feature TATER TOT & PATTON starring Jessica Rothe. He also won the 2016 Slamdance Screenplay Grand Prize for his script GREAT WHITE SHARK and recently collaborated on film with the Getty Museum, Sony, and Fujifilm. He studied film at Boston University. He’s repped by Artists First and William Jacobsen at GGSSC.

5:50 pm – 6:00 pm
TR-X Closing Thoughts Wrap Up

Co-Chairs, Mark Chiolis and Craig German, kicked this off earlier and they will provide a short wrap up and their own thoughts, as they know they are the only obstacle standing between you and the networking and cocktail event!

  • Mark Chiolis, Mobile TV Group

    Mark Chiolis

    Mobile TV Group

    Mark Chiolis is the Director of Business Development for Mobile TV Group (MTVG), which provides facilities for over 4,500 live professional and college sports and entertainment events annually, with more than 35 mobile units, and dozens of remote Cloud Control facilities, based throughout the U.S.  MTVG has been leading the 4K/UHD/HDR/Cloud live event production with key broadcasters, networks and distribution companies.

    Mark is currently working to interface with customers and partners to develop and support MTVG’s entertainment, awards, corporate, concerts, egames, and esports events with current and new trucks, using both broadcast and cine workflows.

    Prior to MTVG, Chiolis worked in marketing, business development, and sales for Grass Valley, Thomson, Technicolor, Philips, and BTS as well as at television stations KMUV, KRBK and KVIE in Sacramento California.

    Chiolis is an active board member of the HPA, an associate member of the American Society of Cinematographers, member of the NAB Cine Consortium, member of the SciTech group at the Television Academy (Emmys), member of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), member of International Association of Aviation Photographers, past section manager of SMPTE, member of STE, SBE and California Broadcasters Association.

  • Craig German, HPA

    Craig German

    HPA

    Craig has spent most of his career in the entertainment industry, and for the past 20 years has held executive positions in post production and at Hollywood film and television studios, most recently as CEO of Crafty Apes, a visual effects company that works on Hollywood’s biggest blockbuster movies and premier TV shows. Prior to that, he spent three and a half years building and leading the Worldwide Post Production organization at Amazon Studios. Craig is currently advising corporate and startup clients on business strategy, product roadmap, market assessment, and sales outreach.

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Innovation Zone Open with Cocktails (dedicated demo time)

(sponsorships available)

Tuesday, February 18 | Breakfast Roundtables, Supersession, Innovation Zone, 30th Anniversary Party

7:00 am – 6:30 pm
Registration Open
7:30 am – 8:30 am
Breakfast Roundtables
  1. Catena and the control plane: an update, Chris Lennon, Ross Video
  2. QLoRA for ethically teaching Gen AI your brand, Melody Kellis, Amazon
  3. From 360 & IMAX to spatial content, JP Castel, Evercast
  4. The potential for AI-powered digital replicas, Marcus LeVere, MySavepoint
  5. Modern imaging: haunted by the ghost of the CRT (SDR), Sam Bilodeau, Dolby
  6. Creating XR Content to Increase Viewer Engagement, Ehsan Shokrgozar, AWS
  7. Looking beyond MaxFALL/MaxCLL in HDR workflows, Lakshmanan Gopishankar, Telestream
  8. Tracking digital assets against script changes, Mick Delcourt, Backlight
  9. How are you automating your production pipelines? Jase Lindgren, Perforce
  10. AI for localization and performance editing, Peter Busch, Flawless
  11. Easy SDR to Dolby Vision conversion options, Tim Walker, AJA Video Systems
  12. Is your metadata game plan working? Michael Gitig, Iodyne Pro Data
  13. Cloud vs. on-prem computing in post production, Matt Bach, Puget Systems
  14. Challenges & opportunities in cloud mastering & QC, Brandon Heaslip, Colorfront USA
  15. AI and filmmaking, Barbara Ford Grant
  16. AI & other advanced tech for start-ups, Ethan Jacks, MediaBridge Capital Advisors
  17. Using JPEG XS in ST2110 and IPMX, Siegfried Fößel and Philipp Eibl, Fraunhofer IIS
  18. Navigating AI security & risk in M&E, Mathew Gilliat-Smith, ConvergentDS
  19. Latest advancements in hybrid picture and sound workflows, Richad Duke, Avid
  20. AI discovery, Jason Perr, Perifery
  21. Lights, Camera, AI: The Magic of Video Understanding, Travis Couture, Twelve Labs
  22. How tech-viz & pre-viz streamline VP on set, Carlos Perez, Disguise
  23. The technology adoption curve: where do you fall? David Leopold, LucidLink
  24. Exploring the 8K ecosystem & benefits of immersive viewing, Juan Reyes, 8K Association
  25. Importance of production metadata in automating VFX, Mike Urban, The Rebel Fleet
  26. Your pitch deck and how to market it to investors, Laura Thommen, Compton & Company
  27. AI video mattes for post production: editorial, VFX, and DI, Gary Palmer, Electric Sheep
  28. Providing predictable color for mobile approvers, Kevin Burke & Eric Dalton, Eizo
  29. Eliminate information silos to boost productivity, Jean-Christophe Curelop, Perfect Memory
  30. Reimagining creative decision making in the age of fragmented capture, Rachel Joy Victor, FBRC.ai
8:30 am – 7:15 pm
Innovation Zone open for appointments
9:00 am – 6:00 pm
HPA Supersession: The Evolving Human Role in AI-Driven Film and TV Production and Post-Production Workflows

Join us for a transformative full-day Supersession at HPA Tech Retreat 2025, focusing on the evolving roles of humans across key business functions of companies in the M&E industry. This event will explore the impact of AI on various aspects of business operations, highlighting new opportunities and roles emerging alongside technological advancements. The day’s programming includes demonstrations and in-depth discussions on back office applications, business analytics, creative process tools, and content monetization, all aimed at showcasing how AI can enhance rather than replace human creativity and expertise.

9:10 am - 9:40 am
Embracing Evolution: The Evolving Human Role in an AI World

As AI has become increasingly integrated into media and entertainment production, concerns emerge regarding the role of humans in this evolving landscape. How will these tools be utilized? Where is the appropriate boundary between AI-generated content and human creativity? Should such a distinction be drawn? Can new processes demonstrate the seamless integration of AI and human capabilities? How can individuals prepare for this technological transformation? What are the implications for human practitioners in the media and entertainment industry? A comprehensive  and up-to-date overview of AI implementation in media and entertainment, emphasizing the continued significance of human integration within the production ecosystem and exploring the evolving roles of humans in conjunction with technological advancements.

  • Renard Jenkins, I2A2 Technologies, Studios & Labs

    Renard Jenkins

    I2A2 Technologies, Studios & Labs

    Renard T. Jenkins is the President and CEO of I2A2 Technologies, Studios, and Labs. A software development and consulting firm specializing in the creation of ethically responsible tools, solutions, and experiences for the M&E, Marketing & Research, Education, and Healthcare industries, utilizing both emerging and traditional technologies. Jenkins is an experienced executive in the Technology, Film, Television, and Radio industries. Jenkins also currently serves as Vice President of the Hollywood Professionals Association, Immediate Past President of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, and sits on the board of Exceptional Minds. He is
    also an active member of the Television Academy and The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. He has held Executive roles across the Technology, Media, and Entertainment industry.

    Prior to rejoining WarnerMedia and Warner Bros., Jenkins served as Vice President, Operations, Engineering, and Distribution at PBS, where he designed and led the strategic direction, technology development, engineering, and operational management of PBS’s entire media-supply chain. He has also worked for TV One, Discovery, ESPN, NBA Ent., MLB, NFL, and Turner Broadcasting.

    Jenkins is a recipient of numerous awards, including two national Emmys, a Peabody, two Headliners, and a 2020 Broadcasting and Cable Technology Leadership award. In 2017, Jenkins was recognized as an Innovator of the Year award recipient for his groundbreaking contributions to the fields of Ultra High Definition (UHD), High Dynamic Range (HDR), Next Generation Audio (NGA) technologies, and supply chain management through his work at the PBS Advanced Format Center and various industry initiatives. Jenkins is a steadfast advocate for ethical conduct, inclusivity, innovation, diversity, equity, acceptance, accessibility, and the elimination of discriminatory biases within the technology and media sectors. Additionally, he holds certifications as a sound engineer, AI/ML engineer, and application designer among others. Jenkins holds a deep passion for the visual arts and, when time permits, offers pro bono services in location sound recording, live mixing, studio recording, post-production, and finishing for
    aspiring filmmakers, animators, and musicians. His family’s guiding principle is “In all things, integrity, and integrity in all things.”

9:40 am - 10:00 am
Live Without a Net: AI & Creativity Use Cases

During an expert-led day moderated by Rachel Joy Victor (FBRC,) this day-long session explores the transformative potential of AI tools in post-production. Professionals in animation/rigging, video editing, and visual effects tackle tasks that traditionally take days, and attempt to complete them within a single day using AI-driven tools. AI-driven analytics for marketing strategies and predicting industry trends; strategic decision-making insights powered by AI; cutting-edge scriptwriting tools, visual effects, and post-production. The session looks at how AI fosters a symbiotic relationship between technology and human creativity.

  • Moderator: Rachel Joy Victor, FBRC.ai

    Rachel Joy Victor

    FBRC.ai

    Rachel Joy Victor is the co-founder of FBRC.AI, a company focused on creating AI-supported tools for the future of content production–from films to games to location-based experiences. Rachel’s work as a designer, strategist, and worldbuilder for emerging technologies (XR/AI/web3) focuses on creating narrative, brand, and product experiences. She draws from her education in computational neuroscience and spatial economics to facilitate the creation of data-informed emergent experiences. Rachel’s clients have included Disney, HBO, Technicolor, Vans, Ford, Nike, Havas, Meow Wolf, Niantic, and many more. She is passionate about making technology accessible and has provided executive education for leading companies like Warner Brothers, NBCUniversal, Activision, UGG, and Red Bull–in addition to being a keynote speaker at leading industry events.

10:00 am - 10:20 am
UNHOUSED: A case study in the current state of AI and VFX

How emerging AI tools are transforming visual effects production, expanding creative boundaries, and empowering workflow possibilities.

  • Barbara Ford Grant

    Barbara Ford Grant

    Barbara is a pioneering media and entertainment executive with over 25 years of experience bridging art and technology in storytelling. Currently working on AI innovations, she previously served as President of Prysm, NEP Virtual Studios, and CTO of Meow Wolf. Her career spans leadership roles at major studios including HBO, Digital Domain, Sony Pictures Imageworks, and DreamWorks Animation, where she developed breakthrough technologies for productions like Game of Thrones, Maleficent, and the Shrek franchise.

    Throughout her career, Barbara has focused on transforming visual storytelling through technological innovation while maintaining an artist’s perspective. Her expertise ranges from image science to digital human animation to mixed-reality platforms, to virtual production, consistently pushing the boundaries of creative expression in entertainment. Barbara is on the Advisory Board for Sohonet, a member of both the Television and Motion Picture Academies, having chaired the Scientific and Technical Awards Committee from 2018-2023, and has been a member of the VES Technology Committee since 2019.

  • Daniel Kramer

    Daniel Kramer

    Daniel is a Visual Effects Supervisor at Sony Pictures Imageworks with over three decades of experience working on live-action and animated projects. He is passionate about the art and science of VFX and currently supervising an animated feature film at Imageworks for Netflix.

    Daniel began his career in the early ’90s at VisionArt as a lead artist, working on such projects as Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Independence Day, and Godzilla. His keen eye and technical knowledge of VFX, and particularly procedural animation systems, brought him to Sony Imageworks where he moved into supervising roles on such projects as Surf’s Up, developing and overseeing the wave, water, and sand systems, and ultimately as Visual Effects Supervisor on projects including: Men in Black: International, Ghostbusters, and Edge of Tomorrow where he led a talented team to bring a militarized Heathrow, massive beach battles, the alien Mimic to life.

    In addition to VFX supervision Daniel served as Head of CG at Imageworks, ensuring visual quality and providing technical guidance across multiple feature films.

    Daniel is a member of the Motion Picture Academy and the Visual Effects Society, where he has been nominated for multiple awards. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in Political Science.

10:20 am - 10:40 am
AI Animation: Transforming the Production Pipeline

Discover how AI can streamline workflows and unlock new creative possibilities. Explore the power of custom AI models to create consistent characters, enhance animation rendering, achieve precise lip-syncing, and utilize AI 3D model generators. This session provides a  roadmap for studios and creators to efficiently leverage these tools, inspiring filmmakers and animators to adopt AI-driven solutions while maintaining their creative control and artistic vision.

  • Lin Tam, Immix Studios

    Lin Tam

    Immix Studios

    Lin Tam  is an award-winning Director, Producer, and Writer celebrated for her pioneering work in animation and technology. A trailblazer in AI Animation, Lin pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in the animation industry. As the Executive Producer and Chief Creative AI Officer at Immix Studios, she has propelled the studio to new heights, producing internationally acclaimed content that masterfully blends AI technology with animation.

    Her acclaimed short film, “Friendship,” has garnered international recognition, featured in over 25 esteemed film festivals worldwide. Under her leadership, Immix Studios has significantly boosted its output, setting new benchmarks for AI-integrated content creation.

    Lin’s expertise extends across complex product and content development projects. Her portfolio includes cutting-edge work in Generative AI, AR/VR, mobile gaming, and interactive content. Initiatives like Village Roadshow’s Xperience Program and ACMI X underscore her role as an innovator who utilizes emerging technologies to redefine animation and entertainment.

    As a distinguished member of the Producers Guild of America and Screen Producers Australia, Lin is a sought-after speaker at events focused on AI in animation and the broader entertainment industry. She has shared her insights at prestigious venues, including the Producers Guild of America, SXSW Sydney, and Screen Forever, inspiring industry peers and enthusiasts alike. Lin’s presentations emphasize her forefront role in merging creative storytelling with technological advancements, shaping the future of entertainment.

10:40 am - 11:05 am
Refreshment Break
11:05 am - 12:05 pm
MovieLabs 2030 Greenlight: Making the Vision Real for Creatives

MovieLabs will demonstrate how the 2030 Vision delivers significant benefits to the creative community today and in the future. This session will feature how leading media and technology companies utilize the principles of the 2030 Vision, the MovieLabs Ontology for Media Creation, and AI to drive secure, interoperable, software defined workflows in pre-production, production and post.

  • Mark Turner, MovieLabs
  • Jim Helman, MovieLabs
  • Daniel Lucas, MovieLabs
  • Chris Vienneau, MovieLabs

    Chris Vienneau

    MovieLabs

    Chris Vienneau is a senior leader with over 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry. He has developed tools and services for renowned companies such as Disney, Electronic Arts, and Google. Throughout his career, he has managed market-leading tools like Maya, FBX, and Arnold. He has also been involved in groundbreaking projects such as Bifrost, ShaderX, and Arnold GPU, and he holds several authored patents. He has overseen partnerships with major companies including Apple, Adobe, and Nvidia. More recently he has been working with MovieLabs and their 2030 vision and runs his own data as a service company FX-DMZ.

  • Christina Lee Storm, Playbook PLBK / ASHER XR

    Christina Lee Storm

    Playbook PLBK / ASHER XR

    Christina Lee Storm is an award-winning producer and senior entertainment executive recognized for her pioneering work at the intersection of storytelling and cutting-edge technologies spanning film, television, animation, documentaries, virtual reality, augmented reality, and XR.

    As Co-Founder of PLAYBOOK PLBK and Founder/CEO of ASHER XR, she leads her companies to strategically, creatively, and ethically integrate emerging technologies like real-time, virtual production, and AI into traditional, digital, and multi-platform storytelling.

    As former Director of Virtual Production UCAN at Netflix, Christina fostered innovation in content creation and creativity for the studio’s IP and franchises across Netflix’s series, films, live, unscripted, experiences, ads, and ancillary content. Christina was also responsible for strategically building and overseeing virtual production ecosystems, spaces, and stages around the world and collaborated with filmmakers and industry partners to drive growth and innovation adoption.

    While at DreamWorks Animation, Christina was Vice President of Business Operations, Strategy, & Emerging Technology, where she championed the future of real-time content creation and workflows.

    Beyond her work in emerging media, Christina is passionate about thought-provoking films having produced“ Solitary” starring David Oyelowo with BRON Studios, as well as documentaries “Life After Pi,” and “Jurassic Punk,” among many titles. Her collaborations span the globe, contributing to acclaimed productions like “The Artist” and “Life of Pi.”

    Christina serves as the Governor of the Television Academy’s Emerging Media Programming peer group, Co-Chair of the Academy’s Advocacy Committee, and an active member of the Academy’s AI Task Force. Additionally, she serves on the Producers Guild of America’s Production Innovation Task Force, the Los Angeles Mayor’s Entertainment Industry Council and Workforce Development Sub-Committee. Christina is an advisor for Runway’s 100 Film Fund and is also Co-Founder of Playbook AID, an ethical solution for everyone to protect, secure, and control their intellectual property in the age of online digital theft.

    Christina is globally recognized as a thought leader in the emerging media landscape and is recognized for her leadership and dedication to the industry. She was inducted into AWE’s inaugural XR Hall of Fame, received the Lumiere Distinguished Leadership Award in Technology, and she is a proud Founding Member of DreamWorks Animation’s TECHWomen.

  • Erik Weaver, Entertainment Technology Center at USC
    Erik Weaver

    Erik Weaver

    Entertainment Technology Center at USC

    Erik Weaver is a producer, architect, and speaker specializing in the intersection of cloud technology and the media & entertainment (M&E) industry. He currently leads Virtual & Adaptive production projects at the University of Southern California’s Entertainment Technology Center (ETC), including work on ICVFX and Virtual Production. Weaver has held leadership roles, such as overseeing Global M&E Strategy for Western Digital and spearheading ETC’s “Production in the Cloud” initiative. He has also been an executive producer on several notable projects, including The Suitcase (CAA People’s Choice Award, Tribeca 2017) and Wonder Buffalo (SXSW Interactivity competition). His work has earned Emmy nominations and involves cutting-edge technologies like HDR, cloud workflows, and volumetric capture. Additionally, Weaver has chaired multiple industry events and contributed to standards groups like SMPTE C4 MR30, educating the M&E industry on data management and technology integration.

12:05 pm - 12:35 pm
Solving for challenges in Control, Transparency, Provenance, and Computational Attribution in the new AI Media Landscape

While most AI presentations focus on the services and creative features that AI tools provide to content owners and creators, very few focus on the critical solutions needed to ensure control, transparency, provenance, and ultimately business value stemming from the content that the AI models are being trained on.  This panel session will outline a set of principles that will unlock data for AI model builders to improve their products and also open up new opportunities for the content owners who make that possible.

  • Chris Bennett, Dolby
  • Dave Davis, Protege

    Dave Davis

    Protege

    Dave Davis is GM, Protege Media at Protege, where Dave leads Protege’s licensing activities with respect to audiovisual media for generative AI. Protege acquired Calliope Networks, where Dave was co-founder and CEO. Prior to Calliope Networks, Dave was an entertainment licensing executive at 20th Century Fox, NBCUniversal, Paramount and MPLC. Dave began his career as a financial analyst at Goldman Sachs in New York, and as a corporate lawyer at Gunderson Dettmer in Silicon Valley. Dave holds a BA from Wesleyan University and a JD from the University of Michigan Law School. Dave is a member of the California bar and sits on the Copyright Society’s AI sub-committee.

  • Jim Helman, MovieLabs

    Jim Helman

    MovieLabs

    Jim is CTO at MovieLabs, a technology joint venture of five major Hollywood studios. At MovieLabs, Jim leads technical work on the 2030 Vision for media creation in the cloud and has led industry initiatives including driving worldwide standards for high dynamic range video. Jim also led the design and implementation of the Entertainment Identifier Registry (EIDR), for which he was awarded an Engineering, Science and Technology Emmy.

    Prior to MovieLabs, Jim was chief software architect at Liberate Technologies, where he led the development of a web platform for delivering interactive cable services. Prior to Liberate, he worked at Silicon Graphics, developing real-time 3D systems for VR, location-based entertainment, and visual simulation. Jim holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Applied Physics from Stanford and a B.A. in Physics and Math from Washington University.

  • Barbara Ford Grant

    Barbara Ford Grant

    Barbara is a pioneering media and entertainment executive with over 25 years of experience bridging art and technology in storytelling. Currently working on AI innovations, she previously served as President of Prysm, NEP Virtual Studios, and CTO of Meow Wolf. Her career spans leadership roles at major studios including HBO, Digital Domain, Sony Pictures Imageworks, and DreamWorks Animation, where she developed breakthrough technologies for productions like Game of Thrones, Maleficent, and the Shrek franchise.

    Throughout her career, Barbara has focused on transforming visual storytelling through technological innovation while maintaining an artist’s perspective. Her expertise ranges from image science to digital human animation to mixed-reality platforms, to virtual production, consistently pushing the boundaries of creative expression in entertainment. Barbara is on the Advisory Board for Sohonet, a member of both the Television and Motion Picture Academies, having chaired the Scientific and Technical Awards Committee from 2018-2023, and has been a member of the VES Technology Committee since 2019.

  • Bill Baggelaar, UHD Alliance

    Bill Baggelaar

    UHD Alliance

    Bill Baggelaar is the President of the UHD Alliance, an industry organization focused on elevating the consumer experience for UHD viewing at home. Bil is the former Chief Technology Officer at Sony Pictures Entertainment. As a visionary senior executive, Bill sets technology strategy, leads research and development efforts, and leverages emerging technologies that shape the future of cloud-based production, post-production, and delivery of creative content for film and television.

    Bill brings his extensive experience in production, visual effects, and post-production along with his work collaborating with partners throughout the industry in developing and implementing key technologies. His work on IMF, 4K, HDR, and virtual production has been instrumental in driving the entertainment industry forward.

    Bill is a highly respected, active leader in multiple industry organizations and initiatives. He is the co-chair of The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, Science & Technology Council and is the co-chair of the Academy’s ACES Project. He also serves as the co-chair on the Television Academy’s Generative AI Summit. Bill is a member of SMPTE and active with the Advanced Imaging Society. In his efforts to provide a vision for the future of the entertinment industry, Bill was a co-author on the MovieLabs 2030 Vision whitepaper; “The Future of Media Creation”.

12:35 pm - 1:55 pm
Lunch
1:55 pm - 2:25 pm
Insider Keynote: What We Can Learn from the Music Industry
  • Michael Frey, Universal Music Group

    Michael Frey

    Universal Music Group

    Michael Frey is President of Operations, Global Studios and Technology at Universal Music Group, Inc.,

    In addition to overseeing Global Digital, Physical and Metadata Operations, Michael leads many of the Group’s business transformation initiatives which includes leveraging our iconic studio footprint to form a global network of creative collaboration spaces where our recording artists, producers, songwriters and support talent can expand and evolve their creative potential across all forms of content.

    With the company’s Audio Leadership Team, Michael works closely with the artist community, strategic partners and device manufacturers such as Dolby and Mercedes Benz to maximize the quality of audio and video content available for fans and consumers. Michael is also instrumental in expanding the company’s solutions to independent artists and labels around the world to help them build successful careers in entertainment.

    Michael’s technology teams are diligently collaborating with progressive external companies Infinite Reality and Synapse to expand UMG’s capabilities in areas spanning machine learning, A.I., curating metadata, personalization and metaverse solutions that aid consumers in discovering and experiencing new music as well as our catalog containing a rich heritage of songs created over the past 100+ years.

    Prior to UMG, Michael served as the President of Sony DADC New Media Solutions at Sony Corporation of America. In that role, he was responsible for the development, implementation and execution of digital marketing, immersive consumer experiences and digital supply chain solutions for customers across media and entertainment. Throughout his 10 years at Sony, Mr. Frey worked across Sony’s Entertainment, Electronics and R&D groups driving strategic cross division programs across Sony’s landscape of companies and technologies.

    Mr. Frey’s previous operational leadership positions include serving as Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Operations for Technicolor, where he spearheaded operations for its Home Entertainment Services Division.  He was also Senior Vice President, Customer Fulfillment Operations and iMusic for EMI Music.  In that position, he oversaw EMI Music’s manufacturing and distribution operations. In addition, he led initiatives to build the company’s time-sensitive digital infrastructure, restructured commercial trading terms, created strategic account teams to service top customers and developed a commercial service organization to support sales. Michael began his career in consulting at Accenture, where he helped build the company’s Supply Chain Management Practice in Entertainement, Electronics and High Technology and he lead numerous supply chain strategy and operations turnaround engagements for a diverse range of clients.

2:25 pm - 2:45 pm
AI & Filmmaking: A Director's Perspectives

The director of feature films including Hard Candy, 30 Days of Night and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and television episodes including Breaking Bad and Black Mirror, David brings a deep understanding of the creative process and technology.  He’ll share his unique perspectives on the creative use of AI and will showcase some of his work.

  • David Slade

    David Slade

    David Slade is an English film director based in Los Angeles. Born in 1969 at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, he initially pursued a career in journalism, focusing on music and subculture.

    He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art and Film, a Master’s degree in Creative Arts, and an honorary Doctorate in Film Studies.

    David’s feature films include Hard Candy, 30 Days of Night, and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

    His television work includes directing pilots for Hannibal and American Gods, as well as episodes of Breaking Bad, Black Mirror: Metalhead, Bandersnatch, and an upcoming episode in the new season.

    In addition to his film and television work, David has directed numerous music videos and commercials for major brands and artists, including Muse, Armani, UNICEF, Aphex Twin, Stone Temple Pilots, System of a Down, and Meta, among many others.

2:45 pm - 3:05 pm
Artificial Intelligence Policy and Intellectual Property: Where are we going from here?

Join Karyn Temple for an overview of the current landscape of AI policies and their implications for intellectual property (IP) protections in the media and entertainment industry. We will explore critical questions, including:

  • What specific IP issues are being addressed in the United States, and how do these efforts compare to international approaches?
  • What emerging standards and best practices should content creators be aware of as they navigate this evolving legal landscape?

Karyn will provide valuable insights into key considerations that creators must keep in mind during this pivotal interim period, as new laws and regulations are being crafted to safeguard their intellectual property rights. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed and prepared for the future of AI and IP!

  • Karyn Temple, Motion Picture Association

    Karyn Temple

    Motion Picture Association

    Karyn A. Temple is Senior Executive Vice President and Global General Counsel for the Motion Picture Association. One of the world’s leading authorities on copyright, Ms. Temple oversees all of the Association’s legal affairs and content protection efforts around the world.

    Prior to joining the Motion Picture Association, Ms. Temple served more than eight years in the U.S. Copyright Office, most recently as the Register of Copyrights, where she led the 400-person agency and its eight divisions representing law, policy, international affairs, financial operations, registration practice, public records, and outreach and education. In this role, she testified multiple times before both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate and oversaw the Office’s policy and legal activities among others.

    Prior to leading the U.S. Copyright Office, Ms. Temple headed its Office of Policy and International Affairs, which includes a staff of attorneys focusing on domestic and international copyright law matters. Ms. Temple served on both U.S. delegations for the most recently adopted WIPO treaties (the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances and the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Public Works for Persons who are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled). Ms. Temple also served in policy and litigation roles at the U.S. Department of Justice, most recently serving in the Obama Administration as Senior Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General of the United States.

    Ms. Temple also has extensive private-sector experience. She previously served as Vice President, Litigation and Legal Affairs for the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) where she managed a wide variety of anti-piracy litigation matters on behalf of RIAA member companies. She also spent several years as a litigation associate at the prominent D.C.-based law firm Williams and Connolly LLP. Immediately after law school, Ms. Temple served as a law clerk for The Honorable Nathaniel R. Jones, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

    Ms. Temple has served in several prominent volunteer positions in the copyright community, including as an elected Trustee for the Copyright Society of the USA, co-chair of the International Chapter of the Copyright Society of the USA, steering committee member of the D.C. Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Law Section, and Chair of the Copyright Committee of the D.C. Bar’s IP Law Section.

    Ms. Temple received her J.D. from Columbia University School of Law where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, Senior Editor of the Columbia Law Review, and Chairperson of the Columbia Black Law Students’ Association. She received her B.A. in English from the University of Michigan.

3:05 pm - 3:25 pm
Refreshment Break
3:25 pm - 3:45 pm
AI as a Tool For Emotional Storytelling
  • Dave Clark, Promise

    Dave Clark

    Promise

    Dave Clark is an award-winning filmmaker at the forefront of integrating Generative AI into film, TV, and advertising. He is currently the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Promise. Recognized as a leading voice for his ability to seamlessly blend nuanced storytelling with cutting-edge technology, he has become one of the most sought-after artists, with top filmmakers and storytellers worldwide turning to him for guidance on this transformative technology. Clark recently amassed millions of views for his groundbreaking AI directing work, including his short film “Battalion,” which focused on the only Black unit to arrive on Omaha Beach in Normandy during World War 2. It quickly captured the attention of Hollywood, with many top directors reaching out to learn more about the technology behind it. Dave also garnered widespread acclaim when he released the world’s first hybrid narrative genre short, “Another,” combining live-action and GenAI. It was screened during his keynote presentation at Cannes Next in 2024. Over his career, Dave has also been a successful brand marketer and commercial director – creating films, immersive engagements, and brand spots for companies like Coca-Cola, Snapchat, Hewlett Packard, Warner Bros., and Intel. Dave has spoken about the future of filmmaking at prestigious events around the globe (including Sundance, the Berlinale, MIT, Indiewire, Picture This Conference, and the Cannes Film Festival). He resides in Southern California with his wife and children.

3:45 pm - 4:05 pm
88% human 12% A.I.

Taking the premise of the importance of the human element, accompanied by a live demonstration, a discussion of the work it takes to make innovative content like “Airhead”, and how human creativity remains the actual magic of storytelling.

  • Walter Woodman, Shy Kids

    Walter Woodman

    Shy Kids

    shy kids began as a collaboration between three friends and has blossomed into a small but versatile production company specializing in writing, directing, animation, editing, and sound. They describe their style as “Punk Rock Pixar,” with work noted for it’s unique ability to bring humanity out of tech obsessed world. Recently their film “air head” was one of the first selected to use OpenAI’s revolutionary model Sora.

4:05 pm - 4:25 pm
The Future of Diffusion Models
  • Hanno Basse, Stability AI

    Hanno Basse

    Stability AI

     Hanno Basse is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Stability AI, a leading generative AI company developing cutting-edge models and applications across image, video, 3D, and audio. With over 30 years of experience, Hanno has driven technological innovation across media, entertainment, and technology industries.

    Prior to joining Stability AI, Hanno served as CTO at Digital Domain, where he led technical infrastructure, research and development, and machine-learning initiatives. Before that, he served as CTO of Microsoft Azure Media and Entertainment, where he led the deployment of cloud, edge, and AI technologies. He previously held the role of CTO at 20th Century Fox Film Corp., driving advancements in production and distribution systems.

    Hanno is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a Fellow of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, and holds 30 patents, underscoring his contributions to innovation in the industry. 

4:25 pm - 4:45 pm
Digital Twins

A behind the technology look at Reid Hoffman’s Digital Twin project and other relevant developments and considerations in the creative use of AI.

  • Ben Relles, Content Strategy, Office of Reid Hoffman
4:45 pm - 4:55 pm
TBA
4:55 pm - 5:25 pm
Ray Tracing For The Win
  • Richard Crudo

    Richard Crudo

    Richard Crudo, ASC’s lengthy resume includes many notable feature films. Among them are Federal Hill, American Buffalo, American Pie, Down to Earth, Outside Providence, Grind, Out Cold and Brooklyn Rules. On the television side, he has photographed numerous episodes of FX Network’s Justified, the CW’s Jane the Virgin, MTV’s Awkward and CBS’s SWAT. He has also contributed to such series as Good Girls Revolt and Doubt (Amazon), Greenleaf (OWN), Sweet Vicious (MTV) and NCIS, Tommy and Why Women Kill (CBS).

    In Spring 2022, Mr. Crudo shot the pilot episode of Federal Hill: The Beginning. Executive Produced by Terence Winter (creator of Boardwalk Empire, writer/producer of The Sopranos & The Wolf of Wall Street), it saw him reunited with longtime collaborator, writer/director Michael Corrente. Immediately following, he shot the pilot episode of Executive Producer David E. Kelley’s ABC series, Avalon.

    Mr. Crudo is a six-term Past President of the American Society of Cinematographers and served for three years as a Governor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He is a frequent lecturer at universities and a regular contributor to American Cinematographer magazine and other industry publications.

    He is also a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and in 2007 was made a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society.

  • Christopher Nichols, Chaos

    Christopher Nichols

    Chaos

    Christopher Nichols is a veteran of the Visual Effects industry with over three decades of experience in Computer Graphics. He is currently the Director of Special Projects at the Chaos Innovation Lab, where he spearheads cutting-edge initiatives at the intersection of creativity and technology. Christopher also hosts the popular CG Garage podcast, where he engages with industry experts to explore the latest advancements in Computer Graphics.

    As part of the Lab, Christopher has been working on integrating ray tracing into virtual production for over a decade, culminating in the development of Chaos’ Project Arena. He served as the producer on Ray Tracing FTW, the first proof of concept for Project Arena, showcasing the transformative potential of this innovative technology.

    Christopher holds a BA in Mathematics and Fine Arts from Colgate University and a Master’s in Architecture from Rice University. With a diverse background spanning VFX and Architecture, he has worked for leading firms such as Gensler, Digital Domain, Sony Imageworks, and Method Studios. His film credits include Maleficent, Oblivion, and Tron: Legacy.

  • Vladimir Koylazov, Chaos
5:25 pm - 5:55 pm
The final showcase and discussion: Live Without a Net

How did it go?  A look at the work of the day from the LWaN project.

  • Rachel Joy Victor, FBRC.ai

    Rachel Joy Victor

    FBRC.ai

    Rachel Joy Victor is the co-founder of FBRC.AI, a company focused on creating AI-supported tools for the future of content production–from films to games to location-based experiences. Rachel’s work as a designer, strategist, and worldbuilder for emerging technologies (XR/AI/web3) focuses on creating narrative, brand, and product experiences. She draws from her education in computational neuroscience and spatial economics to facilitate the creation of data-informed emergent experiences. Rachel’s clients have included Disney, HBO, Technicolor, Vans, Ford, Nike, Havas, Meow Wolf, Niantic, and many more. She is passionate about making technology accessible and has provided executive education for leading companies like Warner Brothers, NBCUniversal, Activision, UGG, and Red Bull–in addition to being a keynote speaker at leading industry events.

5:55 pm - 6:00 pm
Supersession Closing Thoughts Wrap Up
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Innovation Zone Open with Cocktails (dedicated demo time)

(sponsorships available)

7:30 pm – 8:45 pm
HPA Tech Retreat 30th Anniversary Party (Cocktails and Dinner Reception)

Sponsored by The Studio B&H

Wednesday, February 19 | Breakfast Roundtables, Conference Sessions, Innovation Zone

7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Registration Open
7:30 am – 8:30 am
Breakfast Roundtables
  1. Security challenges (and more) with live stream distribution, Chris Lennon, Ross Video
  2. Generative AI for media distribution sales, Buzz Hays, Google Cloud
  3. 3D object asset collaboration, JP Castel & Tommy Snyder, Evercast
  4. The potential for AI-powered digital replicas, Marcus LeVere, MySavepoint
  5. Consumer viewing in very dark rooms: an important use case? Craig Todd, Dolby
  6. Generative AI from content creation to distribution, Robert Raver, AWS
  7. Looking beyond MaxFALL/MaxCLL in HDR workflows, Lakshmanan Gopishankar, Telestream
  8. AI on location: use cases and approaches, Jimmy Fusil, Tsecond
  9. What’s in your AI Toolkit? How’s it going? Jase Lindgren, Perforce
  10. AI for localization and performance editing, Peter Busch, Flawless
  11. Live/real-time workflows utilizing virtual I/O & AWS CDI, Scott​ Matics, AJA Video Systems
  12. On-set security: pProtecting IP at the edge, Michael Gitig, Iodyne Pro Data
  13. The state of hardware and why Hollywood should care, Jon Bach, Puget Systems
  14. Challenges & opportunities in cloud mastering & QC, Brandon Heaslip, Colorfront USA
  15. TPN: what’s new for 2025! Terri Davies, TPN
  16. Boosting the score: enhancing efficiency with AI, Glen Sakata, Dalet
  17. AI-based subtitling and dubbing, Siegfried Fößel and Philipp Eibl, Fraunhofer IIS
  18. Reducing duplication for studio security assessments, Mathew Gilliat-Smith, ConvergentDS
  19. The perfect hybrid/remote production work environment, Sean Lee, Open Drives
  20. Photosensitive epilepsy testing delivery requirements, John Harris, HardingFPA
  21. Dailies reimagined: AI-assisted workflows, Travis Couture, Twelve Labs
  22. Importance of 3D laser scanning for productions, Jamie Featherston, Leica Geosystems
  23. Harmonizing Virtual Production and Visual Effects, Mathieu Mazerolle, Foundry
  24. Instant, non-proprietary access to your media archives, Colby Winegar, Storj
  25. Next-gen virtual art department: what to expect & how to prepare, Andrew Amato, Disguise
  26. Who should pay for camera to cloud? Derek Schweickart, Adobe
  27. Streaming, movies, TV: what’s impressing you and why? Julie O’Grady, LucidLink
  28. Understanding the MPA Best Practices V5.3 for TPN, Juan Reyes, Tech Align Group
  29. Using production metadata to automate the supply chain, Mike Urban, The Rebel Fleet
  30. Balancing Artistry and AI, Ben Abergel, HPA YEP, and Matthew Klein, Light Iron
8:30 am – 8:30 pm
Innovation Zone open for appointments

See program below for dedicated Innovation Zone hours

8:30 am – 8:45 am
Breathe
8:45 am – 8:55 am
Welcome
  • Kari Grubin, HPA

    Kari Grubin

    HPA

    Kari Grubin is a distinguished executive with over 25 years of leadership experience in studio divisions, global post-production facilities, and corporate departments. She is recognized for her expertise in technology, strategic consulting, and post-production services.

    Kari is currently the President of the Hollywood Professional Association (HPA), where she has served on the Board of Directors and volunteered for many years. She co-founded HPA Women in Post in 2011, an initiative providing leadership and visibility for women in professional content creation. Alongside board member Loren Nielsen, she also helped launch the HPA Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) program, which has mentored nearly 200 young professionals. In 2021, Kari and Renard Jenkins initiated HPA All, a program to foster diversity in the media and entertainment community by promoting career pathways and visibility for underrepresented groups. She led the 2022 HPA Tech Retreat Supersession and is currently planning the 2025 Retreat with the HPA Program Committee.

    Currently, Kari serves as Membership Services Director for the Motion Picture Association’s Trusted Partner Network, where her focus is on enhanced security preparedness and best practices at all stages in the digital media supply chain.  Committed to industry innovation, Kari previously served as project director for SMPTE’s Rapid Industry Solutions on Set Virtual Production Initiative. In 2021, she joined the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Production and Technology Branch.

    Kari’s career includes executive roles at Universal Studios, Paramount Studios, Global Entertainment Partners (GEP), Deluxe Entertainment Services Group, NSS Labs, and Walt Disney Studios. She has contributed significantly to media technology and is listed as a co-inventor for three U.S. patents in media and entertainment technology.

8:55 am – 9:15 am
Introduction & Technology Year in Review
  • Mark Schubin, Program Maestro, HPA Tech Retreat

    Mark Schubin

    Program Maestro, HPA Tech Retreat

    Multiple Emmy-award winning SMPTE Life Fellow Mark Schubin is the world’s greatest expert on the intersecting histories of media technology and opera. He helped create the hotel in-room movie business, the first live nationwide stereo simulcast network, the first live multi-language cinema subtitles, and what was probably the first HDR-to-SDR converter (though no one knew what HDR was at the time). He has worked on moving-image projects on all seven continents (including Antarctica), including news in Kazakhstan, cable TV in Hong Kong, and the television transmission system of Barbados. He also worked on the standardization of the VU meter. His bedroom was an official test site of the ATSC, his paper on aspect ratios was cited by the FCC, and his blog at SchubinCafe.com is archived by the Library of Congress. He once piloted the Fuji blimp and has been known to wear shoes.

9:15 am – 9:40 am
What CES 2025 Means for the Media Industry
  • Mark Harrison, DPP

    Mark Harrison

    DPP

    Mark began his career as an Historian at Cambridge University, with several publications to his name, before moving into the media industry. He spent many years as a Director, Producer and Executive Producer, and won numerous awards for his filmmaking, including an International Emmy and a BAFTA nomination.

    Mark was Managing Director of an independent production company before being appointed BBC Head of Arts, and then Head of Multiplatform Production. He was subsequently Controller of Production for BBC North and leader of the BBC’s End-to-End Digital programme, before becoming Director of Transformation for BBC Design & Engineering.

    In 2015 Mark founded the DPP – the international network for media and technology – and became its CEO. This led the International Moving Image Society to give him an Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award in 2018.

    Today the DPP has around 550 member companies from across the whole media supply chain – from the global tech giants to broadcasters, and from media tech vendors to production companies. The DPP works with its member companies to generate strategic insight and create business opportunities. In 2024 Mark passed the CEO role to Rowan de Pomerai, and is now Founder and Chief Content Officer.

9:40 am – 10:00 am
What do CTOs really think? Key findings from the DPP Media CTO Survey
  • Mark Harrison, DPP

    Mark Harrison

    DPP

    Mark began his career as an Historian at Cambridge University, with several publications to his name, before moving into the media industry. He spent many years as a Director, Producer and Executive Producer, and won numerous awards for his filmmaking, including an International Emmy and a BAFTA nomination.

    Mark was Managing Director of an independent production company before being appointed BBC Head of Arts, and then Head of Multiplatform Production. He was subsequently Controller of Production for BBC North and leader of the BBC’s End-to-End Digital programme, before becoming Director of Transformation for BBC Design & Engineering.

    In 2015 Mark founded the DPP – the international network for media and technology – and became its CEO. This led the International Moving Image Society to give him an Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award in 2018.

    Today the DPP has around 550 member companies from across the whole media supply chain – from the global tech giants to broadcasters, and from media tech vendors to production companies. The DPP works with its member companies to generate strategic insight and create business opportunities. In 2024 Mark passed the CEO role to Rowan de Pomerai, and is now Founder and Chief Content Officer.

  • Rowan de Pomerai, DPP

    Rowan de Pomerai

    DPP

    Rowan de Pomerai is the CEO of the DPP. He brings a highly rounded understanding of the media and technology industries, with experience working in broadcast, production, streaming, and software companies.

    He joined the DPP in 2018, spending several years as the CTO. In 2024 he became CEO, leading the DPP team to deliver against its strategy to be the leading association for media and technology, delivering ever more value to more member companies around the world.

    Rowan also leads many of the DPP’s outputs, from authoring insight reports to programming and hosting major events

10:00 am – 10:30 am
A Decade of UltraHD Deployments – The Status Quo and Opportunities for the Future

Ten years ago, both the UHD Alliance and the Ultra HD Forum launched as industry groups to help with the launch of UHD services. Both organizations were instrumental in defining what Ultra HD actually means – both from a consumer experience and a service deployment perspective. While there has been a lot of progress over the past decade from production to distribution; with many contents and services available in various UHD formats – some opportunities for improvements remain. This panel will take an honest look at the status quo and discuss the successes, but also remaining challenges for the industry to tackle.

  • Moderator: Carolyn Giardina, Variety/Variety VIP+

    Carolyn Giardina

    Variety/Variety VIP+

    Carolyn Giardina is senior entertainment technology and crafts editor at Variety Intelligence Platform (VIP+), a division of Variety that operates a digital subscription offering analyzing the media and technology industries; and entertainment news leader Variety.

    She took on that role in February 2024, following more than a decade at The Hollywood Reporter, where as tech editor she covered everything from artificial intelligence to the Academy Awards. She also has worked in the U.S. and aboard, as an editor, reporter or columnist, on titles including Cinema Editor, SHOOT, The IBC Daily and SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal.

    No stranger to the community, Carolyn served multiple terms on the HPA Board of Directors, during which time she co-founded and was founding chair of the HPA Awards; and more recently helped plan and moderate a series of remote panels as part of the HPA Industry Recovery Task Force amid the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak.

    For her industry contributions, Carolyn has been honored with American Cinema Editors’ Robert Wise Award for journalistic illumination of the art of film editing, the International Cinematographers Guild’s Technicolor William A. Fraker Award for journalistic contributions to cinematography, and the Advanced Imaging Society’s Distinguished Leadership Lumiere Award.

    With a commitment to education, she also co-authored Exploring 3D: The New Grammar of Stereoscopic Filmmaking (Focal Press, 2013) and is a lecturer at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film & Media Arts.

  • Bill Baggelaar, UHD Alliance

    Bill Baggelaar

    UHD Alliance

    Bill Baggelaar is the President of the UHD Alliance, an industry organization focused on elevating the consumer experience for UHD viewing at home. Bil is the former Chief Technology Officer at Sony Pictures Entertainment. As a visionary senior executive, Bill sets technology strategy, leads research and development efforts, and leverages emerging technologies that shape the future of cloud-based production, post-production, and delivery of creative content for film and television.

    Bill brings his extensive experience in production, visual effects, and post-production along with his work collaborating with partners throughout the industry in developing and implementing key technologies. His work on IMF, 4K, HDR, and virtual production has been instrumental in driving the entertainment industry forward.

    Bill is a highly respected, active leader in multiple industry organizations and initiatives. He is the co-chair of The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, Science & Technology Council and is the co-chair of the Academy’s ACES Project. He also serves as the co-chair on the Television Academy’s Generative AI Summit. Bill is a member of SMPTE and active with the Advanced Imaging Society. In his efforts to provide a vision for the future of the entertinment industry, Bill was a co-author on the MovieLabs 2030 Vision whitepaper; “The Future of Media Creation”.

  • Juan Reyes, UHD Alliance
  • Michael Zink, LG Electronics & Ultra HD Forum
10:30 am – 10:50 am
Refreshment break
10:50 am – 11:00 am
Joshua Pines Opines Joshingly
  • Joshua Pines, Picture Shop
    Josh Pines

    Joshua Pines

    Picture Shop

    Joshua is currently in charge of imaging and color science projects at picture shop, which provides the motion picture industry with digital color correction processes for both theatrically released films and broadcast/streaming episodics.

    He joined Technicolor after more than 10 years at Industrial Light & Magic, where he supervised their film scanning/recording department from its inception, and worked extensively with both traditional and digital cinema technologies. he started his career teaching film courses at the cooper union in New York city after earning his degree in electrical engineering there. He began working in visual effects at MAGI in 1982 at the tail end of their work on “Tron”, went on to lead the computer graphics division at R/Greenberg Associates in New York city, and then supervised film effects and film recording at Degraf/Wahrman in Los Angeles before working for ILM. He has received two technical achievement awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Herbert Kalmus award from SMPTE, has had his gender identity confirmed when SMPTE named him a fellow, and has credits on several zillion feature films.

    Joshua has always thought that computers could be a useful tool in making movies better, and he still hopes that one day this may come true.

11:00 am – 11:30 am
Is the industry sitting on an AI goldmine or a ticking timebomb?
  • Rich Welsh, Deluxe

    Rich Welsh

    Deluxe

    Rich Welsh is Senior Vice President of Innovation at Deluxe, where he works to bring next generation technologies and workflows to mastering, distribution and localization services for studios, OTT platforms and content creators worldwide. Rich has over two decades experience in movie and television post production, mastering and delivery.

    Rich is also President of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE). SMPTE is a global community engaged in standards development for the media technology industries for over 100 years, with a mission to inspire technological advancement in art, science, and media everywhere for everyone. In his role as President at SMPTE Rich aims to bring innovative strategic leadership, encourage growth of a diverse membership and deliver on SMPTE’s vision of Unlimited creativity, experiences for everyone.

    In 2024 Rich co-founded and Chairs the Board of Volustor, a SaaS platform providing workflow, asset management and visualisation for 3D scanning, spatial data and digital replicas in media, gaming, metaverse and industrial applications.

    Prior to his role at Deluxe, Rich was founder and CEO at Sundog Media Toolkit which pioneered cloud based automated mastering for movies and TV for Hollywood studios. Sundog was acquired by Deluxe in 2020. Before Sundog, Rich worked as Head of European Theatrical Operations at Technicolor, and Director of Digital Cinema at Dolby Laboratories.

    In his vast amounts of spare time, Rich is also a keen enduro mountain biker, snowboarder, surfer and DJ.

    Rich holds a Doctor of Technology (HC) and BSc(hons) Media Technology from Southampton Solent University, and is a Fellow of SMPTE.

11:30 am – Noon
How entrepreneurs can successfully launch, fund, and grow a start-up tech company in the M&E sector utilizing advanced technologies including AI
  • Moderator Ethan Jacks, MediaBridge Capital Advisors

    Ethan Jacks

    MediaBridge Capital Advisors

    Ethan co-founded MediaBridge Capital Advisors in 2012 with partner John Bowen. MediaBridge is a leading boutique investment bank, focused on mergers and acquisitions and capital raises in the media technology sector. Ethan began his career in digital media in 1999 at Avid Technology, serving as EVP of Corporate Development, Chief Legal Officer and interim Chief Financial Officer. Ethan helped drive Avid’s strategy to grow both organically and through strategic M&A, leading a total of 15 acquisitions of private and publicly held companies that fueled Avid’s growth across its film, video, and audio sectors. In that period, Avid’s market value grew from $400 million to $2.5 billion. Previously Ethan co-founded an environmental technology company using MIT developed technology for recycling hazardous and toxic waste, which raised over $500m in growth capital. Ethan practiced corporate law for 10 years, including as a partner at McDermott, Will & Emery. Ethan holds a B.S. and MBA from MIT’s Sloan School of Management, and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. Ethan has lectured on entrepreneurship at MIT and spoken on M&A at many industry events.

  • Pinar Seyhan Demirdag, Cuebric

    Pinar Seyhan Demirdag

    Cuebric

    Pinar Seyhan Demirdag is a globally recognized AI expert, creative technologist, and industry pioneer, shaping the future of AI-driven creativity. As LinkedIn Learning’s first Generative AI expert and instructor, her courses—translated into six languages—have garnered over two million views and 100,000+ five-star reviews.

    Co-founder of Cuebric, born from Seyhan Lee, the world’s first Creative AI production company, Pinar has reimagined storytelling and the creation of 3D worlds with AI tools, simplifying the process of bringing ideas from concept to screen in real time. She also produced the world’s first generative AI VFX for a feature film and earned the prestigious D&AD Award for the first generative AI commercial.

    A sought-after thought leader, Pinar has appeared on CBS’s 60 Minutes and global stages such as Bloomberg Screen Time, SXSW, TEDx, Siggraph, and Harvard University. Previously, she founded a successful creative technology studio in Europe, developed an eponymous IKEA collection, and partnered with Google Brain to create a tool democratizing AI art. Pinar continues to shape the global narrative on the conscious and ethical use of AI and how humans remain relevant in the age of AI.

  • Josh Kline, Scripto

    Josh Kline

    Scripto

    Josh Kline is an Emmy-winning technologist and entrepreneur known for pioneering innovations in media and entertainment. He co-founded Sample Digital, where he developed and patented Digital Dailies, a groundbreaking streaming solution for film and TV production, earning a Primetime Emmy Engineering Award in 2013. Josh has held executive roles at Box, Final Draft, and Deluxe, leading cloud-based solutions for content creation and management. In 2024, he assumed the role of CEO at Scripto, a SaaS platform for collaborative scriptwriting and IP management. He also founded HaveNeed, a barter marketplace promoting circular economies, and HOOZIN, a group event management app. As a strategic consultant, he has advised top companies, including Microsoft and Avid. Josh is a USC alumnus.

  • Seth Hallen, Hallstone Ventures

    Seth Hallen

    Hallstone Ventures

    With over 25 years of experience in media and entertainment technology, Seth is a visionary leader in AI, passionate about storytelling and its intersection with technology. He supports AI-driven MediaTech startups by helping them secure funding, refine their product strategies, gain visibility, and build vital industry connections.

    Seth is a strong advocate for AI’s potential to enhance human creativity, believing it can serve as a powerful assistant in the creative process. Throughout his career, he has built strong relationships with decision-makers and led teams to success in North America and Europe, driving revenue growth and setting new industry standards.

    As a member of the TV Academy’s AI Task Force and having served as president of the Hollywood Professional Association for nine years, Seth is actively involved in shaping the future of the media and entertainment sector. His mission is to empower creators with innovative tools, inspire change, and help the industry thrive by anticipating the next big shift in technology and creativity.

Noon – 1:58 pm
Lunch break; Innovation Zone open
Noon – 1:30 pm
WIP Lunch: Topic TBA

Year after year, a standout event at the HPA Tech Retreat is the Women in Post Luncheon—an inclusive gathering where both women and men are invited to glean insights from expert panelists carefully curated by our Women in Post Committee.

1:58 pm – 2:00 pm
Quiz answer and announcements
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Unified Production: Bridging the Analog Abyss

Speakers will define the concept of “integrated production,” using examples from the 2023 Italian feature film ‘Comandante’ to describe a creatively lossless VFX production paradigm. Topics to be covered: How to create value for physical production through integration with VFX. What needs to happen in prep and in-camera and how to create interdepartmental buy-in. How the effective use of USD and metadata from concept to delivery can result in a workflow without waste or redundancy. How this approach can result in an efficient and agile process that benefits the entire production.

  • David Stump, ASC
    David Stump

    David Stump

    ASC

    David Stump ASC has been working in motion pictures and television production as Director of Photography, as Visual Effects Director of Photography, as Visual Effects Supervisor, and as Stereographer, (including both live action work and 2D to 3D conversion work), earning an Emmy Award, an Academy Award for Scientific and Technical Achievement, an IMAGO Technical Achievement Award and an International Cinematographers Guild Award. His credits include projects like Little Fires Everywhere, The Morning Show, Skyfire, The Happytime Murders, American Gods, The Unwilling, Immortals, Quantum of Solace, Flight Plan, Fantastic Four, X-Men 1 & 2, Into the Blue, Garfield, Batman Forever, Hollow Man, Men of Honor, Deep Blue Sea, Stuart Little, The Sphere, Contact, Batman & Robin, Mars Attacks, Executive Decision, Stargate, and Free Willy, among many, many others. He is currently chairman of the Camera Committee and the Metadata Committee of the ASC Motion Imaging Technology Council. Under his guidance, the combined efforts of the Producer’s Guild of America and the American Society of Cinematographers produced both the ASC / PGA Camera Assessment Series, and the ASC / PGA Image Control Assessment Series, side by side comparisons of virtually all of the high end digital cinema cameras against film. He has lectured and taught classes in Cinematography and Visual Effects at the American Film Institute, UCLA, Art Center College of Design, Woodbury University, Arizona State University, Global Cinematography Institute, IATSE Local 600, TV Globo Rio De Janeiro Brasil, Savannah College of Art and Design, The Beijing Film Academy and most recently the ARRI Academy in Beijing. He has spoken at many conferences and trade shows including the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the International Broadcast Convention (IBC), Cinegear Expo, DV Expo, the PGA Produced By Conference, the Hollywood Post Alliance Retreat, the Cinegrid Conference, the IMAGO Conference, the Lisbon Film Festival, the Todos En Alta Conference in Zaragoza Spain, and many others. David authored the book “Digital Cinematography – Fundamentals, Techniques and Workflows”, and is a contributing author to the “VES Handbook”. http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Cinematography-Fundamentals-Techniques-Workflows/dp/0240817915 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_12?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=ves+handbook+of+visual+effects&sprefix=VES+handbook%2Cstripbooks%2C324

  • Kevin Haug, KTH_VFX

    Kevin Haug

    KTH_VFX

    Kevin Tod Haug has surfed the paradigm shifts from optical to digital, from motion control to CGI, and from small screen to large and back again. And now in Near Real Time – for Edoardo De Angelis’ COMANDANTE.

    His credits include:
    -Three films for David Fincher: THE GAME, FIGHT CLUB and PANIC ROOM
    -Tarsem’s visually dazzling THE CELL; and Zach Helm’s remarkable MR. MAGORIUM’S WONDER EMPORIUM
    -Six projects with Marc Forster including FINDING NEVERLAND, STAY, STRANGER THAN FICTION, KITE RUNNER and QUANTUM OF SOLACE (BAFTA nomination)
    -Frequent collaborations with David Slade including ECLIPSE and BARKSKINS. and an Emmy nomination for AMERICAN GODS – under the Aegis of Neil Gaiman, Bryan Fuller and Michael Green.

    Haug is a member of the ASC Tech Council, AMPAS, BAFTA, ATAS, the DGA and the CIA (California Institute of the Arts).

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Live Event Tech: Tours, Festivals & Residencies – IMAG to Streaming
  • Moderator: Mark Chiolis, Mobile TV Group

    Mark Chiolis

    Mobile TV Group

    Mark Chiolis is the Director of Business Development for Mobile TV Group (MTVG), which provides facilities for over 4,500 live professional and college sports and entertainment events annually, with more than 35 mobile units, and dozens of remote Cloud Control facilities, based throughout the U.S.  MTVG has been leading the 4K/UHD/HDR/Cloud live event production with key broadcasters, networks and distribution companies.

    Mark is currently working to interface with customers and partners to develop and support MTVG’s entertainment, awards, corporate, concerts, egames, and esports events with current and new trucks, using both broadcast and cine workflows.

    Prior to MTVG, Chiolis worked in marketing, business development, and sales for Grass Valley, Thomson, Technicolor, Philips, and BTS as well as at television stations KMUV, KRBK and KVIE in Sacramento California.

    Chiolis is an active board member of the HPA, an associate member of the American Society of Cinematographers, member of the NAB Cine Consortium, member of the SciTech group at the Television Academy (Emmys), member of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), member of International Association of Aviation Photographers, past section manager of SMPTE, member of STE, SBE and California Broadcasters Association.

  • Jim Toten
  • Jeff Carman
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Olympics Open and Coverage 2024: Advancing Live Production Technology
  • Renard Jenkins, I2A2 Technologies, Studios & Labs

    Renard Jenkins

    I2A2 Technologies, Studios & Labs

    Renard T. Jenkins is the President and CEO of I2A2 Technologies, Studios, and Labs. A software development and consulting firm specializing in the creation of ethically responsible tools, solutions, and experiences for the M&E, Marketing & Research, Education, and Healthcare industries, utilizing both emerging and traditional technologies. Jenkins is an experienced executive in the Technology, Film, Television, and Radio industries. Jenkins also currently serves as Vice President of the Hollywood Professionals Association, Immediate Past President of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, and sits on the board of Exceptional Minds. He is
    also an active member of the Television Academy and The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. He has held Executive roles across the Technology, Media, and Entertainment industry.

    Prior to rejoining WarnerMedia and Warner Bros., Jenkins served as Vice President, Operations, Engineering, and Distribution at PBS, where he designed and led the strategic direction, technology development, engineering, and operational management of PBS’s entire media-supply chain. He has also worked for TV One, Discovery, ESPN, NBA Ent., MLB, NFL, and Turner Broadcasting.

    Jenkins is a recipient of numerous awards, including two national Emmys, a Peabody, two Headliners, and a 2020 Broadcasting and Cable Technology Leadership award. In 2017, Jenkins was recognized as an Innovator of the Year award recipient for his groundbreaking contributions to the fields of Ultra High Definition (UHD), High Dynamic Range (HDR), Next Generation Audio (NGA) technologies, and supply chain management through his work at the PBS Advanced Format Center and various industry initiatives. Jenkins is a steadfast advocate for ethical conduct, inclusivity, innovation, diversity, equity, acceptance, accessibility, and the elimination of discriminatory biases within the technology and media sectors. Additionally, he holds certifications as a sound engineer, AI/ML engineer, and application designer among others. Jenkins holds a deep passion for the visual arts and, when time permits, offers pro bono services in location sound recording, live mixing, studio recording, post-production, and finishing for
    aspiring filmmakers, animators, and musicians. His family’s guiding principle is “In all things, integrity, and integrity in all things.”

  • Paulo Rabello, Globo

    Paulo Rabello

    Globo

    Paulo Rabello is an electronic and computer engineer with 30 years of hands-on experience in the broadcast and entertainment industry.

    He is a member of the Engineering Society of TV in Brazil, holds an MBA in project management and is certified as a Project Management Professional by the Project Management Institute.

    Paulo began his career at Globo in 1995 and he has served as Head of Projects & Maintenance Technology and Director of Entertainment Technology Operations, where he led projects for telenovelas and series in 4K and 4K HDR.

    Currently, he is the Head of Technology for Media Supply Chain at Globo, overseeing Drama, Shows, Sports, and News.

3:30 pm – 4:00 pm
AI for Good: The Role of Emerging Tech in Sustainability
  • Barbara Lange, Kibo121

    Barbara Lange

    Kibo121

    Barbara Lange is an entrepreneur and accomplished executive business leader. Her career includes serving as executive leader for prominent global not-for-profit professional associations. Barbara is renowned for her leadership skills, effectively collaborating with Boards to optimize organizational performance and ensure enduring success.
    In 2022, she founded Kibo121, a consultancy committed to guiding industry towards sustainable solutions, encompassing environmental, social, and
    governance (ESG) considerations.

    In 2023, together with Dovetail Creative, Kibo121 co-founded the Media Tech Sustainability Series (MTSS), a non-commercial program to aid the media tech industry on sustainability issues through webinars, training, and industry events.

    Barbara’s achievements include executive leadership role at SMPTE and the HPA, with previous roles in business development and product management at the IEEE. Presently, she serves on the board and chairs a working group of the Greening of Streaming industry initiative and is sits on sustainability committees for ATSC and SMPTE. She is a member of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP), SMPTE, and the HPA.

4:00 pm – 4:20 pm
Refreshment break
4:20 pm – 4:45 pm
MLSE’s Journey in Adopting Video Foundation Models for Content Creation
  • Ryan Khurana, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
  • Travis Couture, Twelve Labs

    Travis Couture

    Twelve Labs

    Biologist turned technologist, Travis has a wealth of experience across academia, industry, and startups. With deep roots in computer vision research, Travis spends his time with Twelve Labs’ customers to sweat the details on how they utilize cutting edge technologies in their video workflows.

4:45 pm – 5:10 pm
Navigating New Horizons in Media Accessibility: The Impact of Generative AI on Regulatory Compliance

As media industries worldwide adapt to regulatory requirements, such as the 2025 European Accessibility Act (EAA), Canada’s AODA, and the ADA in the U.S., there is a need for innovative solutions that can support the demands of accessibility standards. This presentation will explore the impact of Generative AI (GenAI) technologies on media accessibility, examining how these advancements are reshaping compliance and content delivery.

We will discuss the role of GenAI for accessibility features including closed captioning, audio descriptions, and multilingual support, which are essential for meeting international accessibility laws. Special attention will be given to how these technologies improve the efficiency and accuracy of accessibility services while preserving the original intent and emotional depth of the media content.

The session will include a practical overview and case studies, illustrating how organizations have implemented GenAI to navigate the complex landscape of global accessibility standards. Attendees will learn how GenAI can strategically address both current and future regulatory challenges, how to integrate AI technologies into existing production workflows and showing the balance between automation and human oversight to ensure compliance and enhance viewer engagement.

  • Carin Forman, AWS

    Carin Forman

    AWS

    Carin is the Global Partner Lead, supporting Media & Entertainment partners in the Media Supply Chain and Archive segment at AWS. Carin brings over 25 years of experience in Broadcast and Studio operations, focused on media supply chain and distribution. Carin started her career working at Discovery Channel, writing the first business plan to archive, index and digitize Discovery Communications growing library of content, building archive, media management and content distribution workflows. Carin launched Discovery’s Digital Media Center, an asset management system, designed to digitize, and make content globally discoverable, eliminating tape. After 16 years, Carin moved to NY working for HBO, where she managed and built the end-to-end workflows for HBO’s Photography, Graphics and Promo Videos. Carin implemented cloud collaboration solutions to handle rights, ingest, review, approval and distribution to Social, OTT and onto HBO Max. Carin joined AWS in 2021 as part of the AWS Partner team. Carin’s focus is on strategic enablement and partner development, providing expertise for partners supporting Archive Migrations, Monetization, Media Management, Rights and Metadata Management, Content Orchestration, Media Processing and Localization. In her free time, Carin enjoys skiing, kayaking and travel.

  • Oz Krakowski, Deepdub

    Oz Krakowski

    Deepdub

    Oz Krakowski is leading Deepdub’s business development and strategic sales and has overseen the localization of hundreds of hours of scripted and unscripted content into multiple languages using Deepdub’s groundbreaking AI-powered localization platform. From dubbing theatricals, award-winning indie films, the first ever dubbed scripted drama on Hulu (“Vanda”) to unscripted content like reality show “Hardcore Pawn” and docu-crime “Forensic Files”, Oz has been fostering collaborations and partnerships with studios and content owners around the globe. He is also an active member of the DEG Committees and a judge in the prestigious DEG EnTech Awards. Deepdub is the only AI dubbing company that is TPN Gold Shield and GDPR certified. The company has launched the Deepdub GO platform, enabling content owners and dubbing studios access to the most advanced AI dubbing platform and tools to maintain full control over the process. Oz is a serial entrepreneur and before joining Deepdub was co-founder of a startup in the healthcare market. He lives in Dallas Texas for the past 17 years where he completed his Executive MBA program at Southern Methodist University.

5:10 pm – 5:35 pm
Re-Thinking Fast Turnaround Workflows for the Cloud
  • Chris Swan, AWS

    Chris Swan

    AWS

    Chris Swan is an Industry Specialist Solutions Architect specializing in Content Production at AWS. His experience spans 20 years across post production for unscripted TV, reality TV, live events and sports. He is passionate about innovation in post production and is a champion for creatives in the Media and Entertainment industry.

5:35 pm – 6:00 pm
Transforming Archives into Active Content Libraries: Unlocking the Potential of Legacy Media
  • Moderator: Carin Forman, AWS

    Carin Forman

    AWS

    Carin is the Global Partner Lead, supporting Media & Entertainment partners in the Media Supply Chain and Archive segment at AWS. Carin brings over 25 years of experience in Broadcast and Studio operations, focused on media supply chain and distribution. Carin started her career working at Discovery Channel, writing the first business plan to archive, index and digitize Discovery Communications growing library of content, building archive, media management and content distribution workflows. Carin launched Discovery’s Digital Media Center, an asset management system, designed to digitize, and make content globally discoverable, eliminating tape. After 16 years, Carin moved to NY working for HBO, where she managed and built the end-to-end workflows for HBO’s Photography, Graphics and Promo Videos. Carin implemented cloud collaboration solutions to handle rights, ingest, review, approval and distribution to Social, OTT and onto HBO Max. Carin joined AWS in 2021 as part of the AWS Partner team. Carin’s focus is on strategic enablement and partner development, providing expertise for partners supporting Archive Migrations, Monetization, Media Management, Rights and Metadata Management, Content Orchestration, Media Processing and Localization. In her free time, Carin enjoys skiing, kayaking and travel.

  • Heidi Shakespeare, Memnon Archive Services
  • Soyoung Lee, Twelve Labs

    Soyoung Lee

    Twelve Labs

    Soyoung is a Co-Founder at Twelve Labs where she leads the go-to-market team working closely with enterprises across industries to bring cutting edge foundation models to their workflows.

  • Ryan Khurana, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
6:00 pm – 6:10 pm
What Just Happened? A Review of the Day by Annie Chang and Leon Silverman
6:10 pm – 8:00 pm
Innovation Zone with cocktails & Food Truck Night (last chance for Innovation Zone)

(sponsorships available)

Thursday, February 20 | Breakfast Roundtables, Conference Sessions

7:15 am – 5:00 pm
Registration Open
7:30 am – 8:30 am
Breakfast Roundtables
  1. On-prem – cloud – remote, John Harris, Projective
  2. Using AI to identify piracy, Toby Scales, Google Cloud
  3. What’s new in AI open source & other techno-collaborations, Andy Maltz, General Intelligence
  4. The potential for AI-powered digital replicas, Marcus LeVere, MySavepoint
  5. Modern imaging: haunted by the ghost of the CRT (SDR), Sam Bilodeau, Dolby
  6. Re-thinking fast-turnaround workflows for the cloud, Chris Swan, AWS
  7. Looking beyond MaxFALL/MaxCLL in HDR workflows, Lakshmanan Gopishankar, Telestream
  8. Remote work in post production: trends & opportunities, Jimmy Fusil, Remoto
  9. Teaching version control concepts to art teams, Jase Lindgren, Perforce
  10. AI for localization and performance editing, Peter Busch, Flawless
  11. Data storage materiality and the environment, Linda Tadic, Digital Bedrock
  12. Caching, tiering & intelligent data infrastructure, Charlie Bryant, NetApp
  13. Understanding the needs and bottlenecks of post production, Matt Bach, Puget Systems
  14. Next-Gen Cinema: Maintaining Creative Vision with Workflow Efficiency, Brian Nogle, Colorfront
  15. Media Composer panel SDK, Raymond Thompson, Avid
  16. C2PA – Combating disinformation in the age of AI, Glen Sakata, Dalet
  17. Solving the big problems for Visual Generative AI, Yair Adato, Bria
  18. Fighting deep fakes, Ken Gerstein, Nagra
  19. Let’s talk sustainability! Barbara Lange, Kibo121
  20. ACES 2.0 implementation success: comparing ACES 2.0 & 1.0, Joachim Zell, Barco
  21. AI for supplemental sports content creation, Travis Couture, Twelve Labs & Ryan Khurana, MLSE
  22. Orchestrating scalable media workflows on cloud, Majed Alhjary, MASV
  23. Future of color, Matthew Brantley, 6P Color
  24. Cloud storage economics: a strategic discussion, Laquie Campbell, Backblaze
  25.  Blow my mind, not my lunch! Zeronausea 6DoF volumetric cinema, Gianluca Meardi, V-Nova
  26. Evolution of sales & business development in M&E markets, Laura Thommen, Compton & Company
  27. AI video mattes for post production: editorial, VFX, and DI, Gary Palmer, Electric Sheep
  28. Providing predictable color for mobile approvers, Kevin Burke & Eric Dalton, Eizo
  29. Changing asset management without changing production, Jean-Christophe Curelop, Perfect Memory

 

8:30 am – 8:43 am
Breathe
8:43 am – 8:45 am
Quiz answer & announcements
8:45 am – 9:15 am
Navigating the New Normal: Production Trends and Industry Shifts in TV and Film
  • Alex LoVerde, ProdPro

    Alex LoVerde

    ProdPro

    Alexander LoVerde is the CEO and co-founder of ProdPro, a leading provider of market research and insights for the TV and film industry. Before launching ProdPro, LoVerde co-founded and served as CEO of SyncOnSet, which developed the industry-standard software for managing on-set production workflows. SyncOnSet was acquired by Entertainment Partners in 2020.

    LoVerde also serves on the board of Toon Boom, a global leader in 2D animation software, and as an Operating Partner with TPG Capital / IMC. Recognized for his contributions to the industry, LoVerde has received an Emmy Award for Engineering Achievement and was featured on Forbes’ 2019 “30 Under 30” Hollywood List. He is a member of both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Television Academy.

9:15 am – 9:45 am
AI Was Not the Great Disrupter
  • Moderator: John Footen, Deloitte Consulting
  • Jason Williamson, Deloitte Consulting
  • Seth Hallen, Hallstone Ventures

    Seth Hallen

    Hallstone Ventures

    With over 25 years of experience in media and entertainment technology, Seth is a visionary leader in AI, passionate about storytelling and its intersection with technology. He supports AI-driven MediaTech startups by helping them secure funding, refine their product strategies, gain visibility, and build vital industry connections.

    Seth is a strong advocate for AI’s potential to enhance human creativity, believing it can serve as a powerful assistant in the creative process. Throughout his career, he has built strong relationships with decision-makers and led teams to success in North America and Europe, driving revenue growth and setting new industry standards.

    As a member of the TV Academy’s AI Task Force and having served as president of the Hollywood Professional Association for nine years, Seth is actively involved in shaping the future of the media and entertainment sector. His mission is to empower creators with innovative tools, inspire change, and help the industry thrive by anticipating the next big shift in technology and creativity.

9:45 am – 10:15 am
Love Hurts – But It Doesn’t Have to in the Cloud!

Discover how Universal Pictures’ Love Hurts was brought to life using an end-to-end post-production workflow in the cloud: What worked and what improvements we need to achieve the MovieLabs 2030 Vision. Hear from creative partners and post-production teams who efficiently managed camera files, dailies, VFX pulls, online conform, color grading, marketing campaigns, and digital cinema workflows, all from the studio’s centralized cloud storage.

  • Moderator: Annie Chang, Universal Pictures

    Annie Chang

    Universal Pictures

    Annie Chang is the Vice President, Creative Technologies for Universal Pictures, responsible for developing strategies and designing innovative next-generation workflows across film and emerging immersive media experiences. Prior to joining Universal Pictures, Chang was the VP, Technology for Marvel Studios and held various roles during more than a decade tenure at The Walt Disney Studios. Chang is the AMPAS ACES Project Co-Chair and served as the Co-Chair of the AMPAS SciTech Council until 2022. She was the Chair of the Interoperable Master Format (IMF) Working Group at SMPTE. She is an SMPTE Fellow and is a recipient of the SMPTE Workflow Systems Medal Award, Advanced Imaging Society’s Distinguished Leadership award and StudioDaily’s 2018 Exceptional Women in Production and Post. In 2020, The Hollywood Reporter named Chang on their list of top “Hollywood Innovators.” In 2021, Hollywood Professional Association honored Chang with the HPA League Honor of “The Catalyst” which recognizes a leader who has successfully inspired and sparked positive change and innovation in entertainment as a “mover and shaker,” and TVNewsCheck recognized Chang with their Women in Technology Futurist Award. In 2022, Women in Technology Hollywood honored Chang with their WiTH Leadership Award.

  • Nick Monton, Company 3
  • Phil Wortas, Company 3

    Phil Wortas

    Company 3

    Phil Wortas is a technologist with 20 years of experience in post-production, focusing on emerging technologies that enhance creative workflows and improve the technical foundation of modern media production. Phil seeks to bridge the gap between innovation and practical application, ensuring that new tools empower rather than disrupt the creative process. Recently, Phil has led efforts to migrate traditional production and post-production pipelines to the cloud, enabling greater flexibility, scalability, and efficiency. Passionate about bridging the gap between cutting-edge infrastructure and creative storytelling, Phil works to push the boundaries of what’s possible in modern media workflows.

  • Bobby Micheletti, Universal Studios

    Bobby Micheletti

    Universal Studios

    As Chief Engineer at Universal Studios, Bobby Micheletti leverages his extensive expertise to lead the technical operations supporting the Film Group’s Marketing division. His oversight spans critical areas including Trailer and TV finishing, In-House Creative Editorial, Motion Graphics, and Print Production. He and his team are responsible for managing hardware and software upgrades, system maintenance, and implementing innovative workflow solutions. Their focus is on driving continuous improvements to meet the evolving demands and challenges of film marketing, ensuring efficiency, scalability, and creative excellence across all marketing deliverables. Additionally, Bobby oversees the security and integrity of high-traffic data environments, managing secure access in and out of the facility. His leadership ensures that both physical and digital security protocols are in place to protect sensitive content and maintain operational excellence within the studio.

  • Jeremy Stapleton, NBCUniversal

    Jeremy Stapleton

    NBCUniversal

    With over 18 years of experience in media and technology, Jeremy Stapleton is a seasoned professional dedicated to leading teams in creating software solutions that drive digital transformation and enhance users’ daily lives. Before joining Universal Pictures, Mr. Stapleton led a global team of software developers at Technicolor, focusing on building and integrating applications in the post-production space.

    At NBCUniversal, Mr. Stapleton has been an integral part of the Creative Technologies team, spearheading innovation initiatives related to production cloud adoption. Recently, he has taken on the role of Director of Software Engineering within the NBCUniversal Operations & Technologies team, where he continues to drive technological advancements and innovation.

  • Andy Scade, Pixelogic

    Andy Scade

    Pixelogic

    Andy Scade is currently the SVP & General Manager of Pixelogics Digital Cinema and Home Entertainment mastering business. He runs teams and facilities based in Los Angeles, London and Cairo servicing the top tier of content producers and distributors in the M&E space.  He’s spent the last 15 years creating innovative workflows and solutions to support content production and the transition from 35mm to Digital Cinema film distribution. This followed an interesting path to film servicing having previously being a successful recording and mix engineer for many well known singers and bands in the late 90’s and 00’s.

  • Craig Seidel, Pixelogic

    Craig Seidel

    Pixelogic

    Craig is currently President of Seidel Media Technologies, bringing innovative technical solutions to media and entertainment. Most recently, Craig was CTO at Pixelogic, and before that, he was at MovieLabs, where he created the Emmy-winning MovieLabs Digital Distribution Framework (MDDF). Craig has also held leadership positions at TiVo, Liberate Technologies, and SRI International.

    Craig’s experience is primarily in post-production and distribution, with a focus on supply chain efficiency and the effective use of AI, cloud computing, and automation. He continues to spearhead industry initiatives to enhance efficiency, scalability, and security in media workflows. Craig holds engineering degrees from UC Berkeley and Stanford.

  • Brandon Lindauer, AWS

    Brandon Lindauer

    AWS

    Brandon Lindauer is a Global Specialist at AWS focused on Content Production in Media & Entertainment. Brandon has spent nearly two decades in the M&E industry and is passionate about raising the bar in post-production. He has worked at several studios both large and small creating innovative solutions to improve operations, and has extensive experience in cloud computing. Before coming to AWS he held positions such as Director of IT and Principal Architect. Brandon is now the Worldwide Technical Leader for the AWS Content Production Focus Area.

10:15 am – 10:35 am
Refreshment break
10:35 am – 11:05 am
Harmonizing Virtual Production and Visual Effects
  • Mathieu Mazerolle, Foundry

    Mathieu Mazerolle

    Foundry

    Mathieu Mazerolle has over 28 years of engineering and product experience in the visual effects, cloud, and gaming industries, with a strong focus on innovation and driving the development of new technologies. He is currently the Director of Product, New Technology, at Foundry. Throughout his career, Mathieu has leveraged his technical and and market insights to deliver impactful solutions at leading organizations, including Amazon Web Services, Electronic Arts, Autodesk, Digital Domain, and Ubisoft.

11:05 am – 11:35 am
Understanding the Threat Landscape of AI workflows in Localization, Digital Film, and Dubbing
  • Mathew Gilliat-Smith, ConvergentDS

    Mathew Gilliat-Smith

    ConvergentDS

    Mathew has over 20 years experience in the M&E sector, with strong relationships at many levels within the Film and TV studios, broadcasters and their supply chain. In particular he works with localization, visual effects and other production and post production service providers across the globe. Mathew is responsible for developing Convergent’s initiatives for on-prem, hybrid, cloud and SaaS application security, which includes assessments, threat assessment penetration testing, and general consultancy for security readiness. He manages Convergent’s corporate and business growth strategies including the promotion of the TPN initiative. He was previously founder and CEO of software development businesses focusing on video encryption solutions.

  • Keith Ritlop, ConvergentDS

    Keith Ritlop

    ConvergentDS

    Keith Ritlop is a seasoned production and technology leader with over 20 years of experience driving innovation across architecture, AI, cloud computing, security, and digital production workflows. He has led global teams for major companies like NBCUniversal, Amazon Studios, Disney, and Paramount Pictures delivering cutting-edge solutions in content security, VFX, workflow design, software engineering, and AI-based production tools.

  • Peter Busch, Flawless AI
  • Raymond Evans, ConvergentDS
11:35 am – 11:55 am
Media Cyber Security and Trust
  • Hans Hoffmann, EBU

    Hans Hoffmann

    EBU

    Dr. Hans Hoffmann is EBU Senior Manager and head of media fundamental and production technologies in the EBU Technology and Innovation department.

    In the EBU he is leading a top expert team, and working together with the EBU Members, on emerging media technology strategies such as immersive media, IP and cloud infrastructures, Data, Metadata and Artificial Intelligence, and how the industry is managing manage its constant digital transformations through open innovations and applied innovation management. Hans is the chair of the Broadcast Technology Futures groups which consist of the senior managers of the R&D centers of BBC, RAI, NHK, VRT, YLE and CBC and co-chairs the Forum of Advanced Media in Europe (FAME) and the Inter-SDO group. He has a long and broad history in SMPTE such as past Standards VP, Finance VP and Executive VP. He was the first European President of the SMPTE 2021-22 and working together with the SMPTE home-office, the executive committee and board and the SMPTE Membership in leading the transformation of the Society. Hans is a fellow of the SMPTE and recipient of the Richard-Theile Medal of the FKTG in 2021. Previously he has been with the Institute fuer Rundfunktechnik in Munich for 9 years working as project manager and scientific staff.

11:55 am – 12:25 pm
From Disruption to Durability, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Consensus Standards

The Media and Entertainment industry is undergoing widespread and rapid transformation driven by marketplace changes and the AI tidal wave. Technology-driven disruption is nothing new, but this time it seems bigger, faster, and deeper than ever before, requiring greater collaborative effort to develop the guidelines, policies, and common technical frameworks and standards necessary for a sustainable and profitable future. This interactive session will introduce attendees to the standards organizations and the people leading them, explore key topics, and encourage sharing of ideas and actionable next steps.

  • Sally-Ann D’Amato, SMPTE
  • Renard Jenkins, I2A2 Technologies, Studios & Labs

    Renard Jenkins

    I2A2 Technologies, Studios & Labs

    Renard T. Jenkins is the President and CEO of I2A2 Technologies, Studios, and Labs. A software development and consulting firm specializing in the creation of ethically responsible tools, solutions, and experiences for the M&E, Marketing & Research, Education, and Healthcare industries, utilizing both emerging and traditional technologies. Jenkins is an experienced executive in the Technology, Film, Television, and Radio industries. Jenkins also currently serves as Vice President of the Hollywood Professionals Association, Immediate Past President of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, and sits on the board of Exceptional Minds. He is
    also an active member of the Television Academy and The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. He has held Executive roles across the Technology, Media, and Entertainment industry.

    Prior to rejoining WarnerMedia and Warner Bros., Jenkins served as Vice President, Operations, Engineering, and Distribution at PBS, where he designed and led the strategic direction, technology development, engineering, and operational management of PBS’s entire media-supply chain. He has also worked for TV One, Discovery, ESPN, NBA Ent., MLB, NFL, and Turner Broadcasting.

    Jenkins is a recipient of numerous awards, including two national Emmys, a Peabody, two Headliners, and a 2020 Broadcasting and Cable Technology Leadership award. In 2017, Jenkins was recognized as an Innovator of the Year award recipient for his groundbreaking contributions to the fields of Ultra High Definition (UHD), High Dynamic Range (HDR), Next Generation Audio (NGA) technologies, and supply chain management through his work at the PBS Advanced Format Center and various industry initiatives. Jenkins is a steadfast advocate for ethical conduct, inclusivity, innovation, diversity, equity, acceptance, accessibility, and the elimination of discriminatory biases within the technology and media sectors. Additionally, he holds certifications as a sound engineer, AI/ML engineer, and application designer among others. Jenkins holds a deep passion for the visual arts and, when time permits, offers pro bono services in location sound recording, live mixing, studio recording, post-production, and finishing for
    aspiring filmmakers, animators, and musicians. His family’s guiding principle is “In all things, integrity, and integrity in all things.”

  • Andy Maltz, General Intelligence

    Andy Maltz

    General Intelligence

    Andy has over 4 decades of experience instigating, developing, and deploying technologies in the media and entertainment industry,, and now leads a media technology consultancy. Andy also serves as chair of ISO/TC 36 Cinematography, the motion picture industry’s international technical standards body, as a director of the Digital Object Architecture-fostering DONA Foundation, and is on several advisory boards.

    Andy’s previous roles include the founding head of staff of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Science and Technology Council, founding board member of the Academy Software Foundation, founder and CEO of digital cinema pioneer Avica Technology, and co-initiator of the Advanced Authoring Format, an industry-standard media authoring interchange format. Andy co-authored the award-winning The Digital Dilemma research reports on digital preservation, received two Engineering Emmy Awards, holds several patents, and is a fellow of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), where he serves on its Motion Imaging Journal Board of Editors.

12:25 pm – 1:48 pm
Lunch break
12:25 pm – 1:48 pm
Lunch & Learn: "Beyond Boundaries: The New Era of Entertainment IP Convergence"

Lunch & learn with Chris Blandy & Gretchen Libby

Join two AWS veterans for an engaging chat exploring how entertainment and media companies are breaking traditional boundaries to create interconnected experiences across multiple platforms. As consumer behaviors evolve and technology advances, leading organizations are reimagining how their intellectual property can transcend single channels to deliver immersive, personalized experiences across streaming, gaming, live events, and digital worlds.

This lunch & learn session will examine how major media companies are successfully navigating this convergence through real-world examples – from gaming platforms hosting massive virtual concerts to news organizations expanding into interactive entertainment. Our speakers will discuss the challenges and opportunities in this multi-dimensional landscape, where success increasingly depends on leveraging IP across diverse channels while maintaining authentic connections with audiences.

Discussion Points:

  • How entertainment companies are expanding their IP across multiple domains
  • The impact of changing consumer preferences on content strategy
  • The role of first-party data in creating interconnected experiences
  • Emerging trends in cross-platform engagement and monetization
  • Future outlook for entertainment IP convergence

Join us for this thought-provoking discussion on how the entertainment industry is evolving beyond traditional boundaries to meet the demands of tomorrow’s audiences.

  • Chris Blandy, AWS
  • Gretchen Libby, AWS
  • Special Guest
1:48 pm – 1:50 pm
Quiz answer & announcements
1:50 pm – 2:10 pm
From Stone Age to Screen Age: The Epic Tale of Visual Storytelling
  • Seth Hallen, Hallstone Ventures

    Seth Hallen

    Hallstone Ventures

    With over 25 years of experience in media and entertainment technology, Seth is a visionary leader in AI, passionate about storytelling and its intersection with technology. He supports AI-driven MediaTech startups by helping them secure funding, refine their product strategies, gain visibility, and build vital industry connections.

    Seth is a strong advocate for AI’s potential to enhance human creativity, believing it can serve as a powerful assistant in the creative process. Throughout his career, he has built strong relationships with decision-makers and led teams to success in North America and Europe, driving revenue growth and setting new industry standards.

    As a member of the TV Academy’s AI Task Force and having served as president of the Hollywood Professional Association for nine years, Seth is actively involved in shaping the future of the media and entertainment sector. His mission is to empower creators with innovative tools, inspire change, and help the industry thrive by anticipating the next big shift in technology and creativity.

  • Alan Lasky, MSB

    Alan Lasky

    MSB

    Alan Lasky is a highly accomplished executive experienced in developing and delivering new technologies, workflows and models within the media/entertainment and virtual reality sectors. Some of the technologies Alan has been instrumental in bringing to markets include LIDAR, high resolution digital acquisition, and 3D camera tracking among others. Currently Alan is exploring the outer realms of the Media & Entertainment space while keeping one foot firmly planted in history.

2:10 pm – 2:40 pm
AI Applications in Media Workflows
  • Moderator: Thomas True, NVIDIA

    Thomas True

    NVIDIA

    Thomas True is a senior applied engineer for media workflows in NVIDIA’s Enterprise Products Group. In this role he works at the intersection of live media and the Graphics Processing Unit(GPU) where he focuses on the integration of GPU processing and network transport technologies into broadcast, video and film applications ranging from pre-visualization to post production and live to air. Thomas has a M.S. degree in Computer Science from Brown University in Providence, RI and a B.S. Degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY.

  • Vered Horesh, Bria.ai
  • Lewis Smithingham, Media Monks
  • Erik Weaver, Entertainment Technology Center at USC
    Erik Weaver

    Erik Weaver

    Entertainment Technology Center at USC

    Erik Weaver is a producer, architect, and speaker specializing in the intersection of cloud technology and the media & entertainment (M&E) industry. He currently leads Virtual & Adaptive production projects at the University of Southern California’s Entertainment Technology Center (ETC), including work on ICVFX and Virtual Production. Weaver has held leadership roles, such as overseeing Global M&E Strategy for Western Digital and spearheading ETC’s “Production in the Cloud” initiative. He has also been an executive producer on several notable projects, including The Suitcase (CAA People’s Choice Award, Tribeca 2017) and Wonder Buffalo (SXSW Interactivity competition). His work has earned Emmy nominations and involves cutting-edge technologies like HDR, cloud workflows, and volumetric capture. Additionally, Weaver has chaired multiple industry events and contributed to standards groups like SMPTE C4 MR30, educating the M&E industry on data management and technology integration.

  • Peter Busch, Flawless
  • Soyoung Lee, Twelve Labs

    Soyoung Lee

    Twelve Labs

    Soyoung is a Co-Founder at Twelve Labs where she leads the go-to-market team working closely with enterprises across industries to bring cutting edge foundation models to their workflows.

2:40 pm – 3:10 pm
Bridging the Uncanny Valley: Artificial Individual Intelligence (Aii)

Join us for an insightful discussion on how Artificial Individual Intelligence (Aii) will be the key to having AI-based “tools” become accepted and adopted “beings.”  Unlike massive Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) or Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) systems, Aii focuses on the unique character and emotional depth of AI entities, each with distinct personalities, and enabling the building of lasting relationships with humans across platforms. Aii goes beyond functional chatbots to create “living” companions with self-awareness, empathy, and emotive voice, fostering meaningful connections between humans and AI. We’ll explore the future of AI in entertainment, showcasing how it can expand opportunities for creators, artists, and studios, turning GenAI into a technology that grows the industry and generates new revenue streams for artists, versus taking jobs away…creating a true AI-powered Win/Win in our industry.

  • Richard Atkinson, Artificial Individual Intelligence

    Richard Atkinson

    Artificial Individual Intelligence

    CEO, Artificial Individual Intelligence, LLC. President, Content Delivery and Security Assoc. Former GM, CTO, CSO, CIO, Sr Exec driving profound business growth at Adobe, Disney, EA, and Northop Grumman

    Led profound incremental business growth for Disney ($1B/year) and Adobe ($1.6B TAM) through innovative strategies and bold leadership. Broadly recognized across many leaders and companies of Media & Entertainment for an engaging and inclusive leadership style and understanding the critical intersection of technology, business, and customer/human engagement. Exceptionally strong technically, while also having a creative advertising background and passion that has allowed me to drive the solutions while also bringing the customer base and key stakeholders along in the journey

  • Jerry Rees, Artificial Individual Intelligence

    Jerry Rees

    Artificial Individual Intelligence

    Aii Founding Principal Partner, CBO (Chief Being Officer)
    Creative in Residence, Content Delivery & Security Association (CDSA)

    Writer / Director of live-action, animation, AR, audio-animatronic and immersive themed entertainment projects, including a record-setting 22 attractions for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney Studios Paris, Disneyland Hong Kong, Tokyo Disneyland and the Disney Cruise Line.

    Winner of 4 THEA awards for Disney.

    While still in high school, mentored at the Disney Studios under the wing of Eric Larson, one of Walt Disney’s legendary “Nine Old Men.”

    Awarded a Disney Scholarship and attended California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts) as Teacher’s Assistant for the now famous inaugural A113 class with such classmates as Brad Bird, John Lasseter and John Musker. Featured in Vanity Fair’s 2014 article “The Class That Roared” with photos by Annie Leibovitz.

    Started as a classically trained Disney Feature Animator, but moved into new technologies such as Computer Image Choreography on TRON, and Directing the first official Augmented Reality postage stamp for the US Postal Service and Smithsonian in 2011.

    Recruited by Disney as a VP Level Executive R&D Imagineer from 2015 – 2020, designated as the guardian of story, character, emotion and human connection across all emerging technologies. Creative Lead on free-walking autonomous robots and AI companion characters, including the KIWI and D3-O9 projects.

    Awarded merit bonus by The Walt Disney Company’s Chairman and CEO Robert Iger, who wrote – “Your contributions to the Company have played a significant role in our success and delivering shareholder value. Thank you for your dedication and hard work this past year. Congratulations.”

    DISNEY INVENTOR AWARDS:

    Jerry Rees – Filed: 9/17/2019, Publication: 3/18/2021
    Artificial Intelligence-Based Roleplaying Experiences Based On User-Selected Scenarios

    Jerry Rees – Filed: 5/24/2019, Patent: 2/15/2022
    Legged High-Dexterity Self-Balancing Capable Robot Actor

    Jerry Rees – Filed: 1/22/2018, Patent: 10/27/2020
    Communicative Self-Guided Automation

    A fine artist and sculptor, currently pursuing next-gen Avatars, AR, VR and Blended Reality for the masses, with the goal of establishing a new standard of immersive global communication.

    Dedicated to bringing “The Illusion of Life” to AI through Aii.

    A member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and the Writers Guild of America (WGA), residing and working in Los Angeles.

    Best known to many as Writer / Director of “The Brave Little Toaster”.

    “We will not win the next technology race with better technology. We will win the next technology race with better philosophy.”
    – Jerry Rees

3:10 pm – 3:40 pm
Shaping Stories with Media Intelligence: From Search to Storytelling
  • Morgan Prygrocki, Adobe

    Morgan Prygrocki

    Adobe

    Morgan Prygrocki is a Senior Strategic Development Manager at Adobe, specializing in advancing post-production video workflows for Hollywood and beyond. With over 16 years of experience at the forefront of high-end camera technology and virtual production solutions, Morgan has supported a wide spectrum of productions, including major league sports broadcasts, award-winning films, and globally recognized commercial campaigns. Her expertise lies in bridging cutting-edge technology with creative storytelling, ensuring productions achieve their full potential.

  • James Cohan, Paramount
  • Jonathan Tortora, Warner Bros. Discovery
  • Irad Eyal, Quickture
3:40 pm – 4:10 pm
Equitable Entertainment: Customers with Disabilities and Content Accessibility
  • Lee Eigner, Sony Music Vision

    Lee Eigner

    Sony Music Vision

    Lee Eigner is the Senior Director of Film Operations at Sony Music Vision, where he oversees post-production, theatrical and home entertainment mastering, deliverable specifications, and global content delivery.

    At Amazon Studios, Lee managed content workflows and quality control processes for launches. He also worked on accessibility initiatives, collaborating with experts to address gaps and develop innovative solutions for enhancing media accessibility.

    At Sony Music Vision, Lee continues to advocate for advancing accessibility technology in streaming and theatrical environments to better serve audiences with disabilities.

4:10 pm – 4:30 pm
Refreshment break
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
How Do I Deal with All These Live Streams?
  • Chris Lennon, Ross Video

    Chris Lennon

    Ross Video

    Chris Lennon serves in Ross Video’s Office of the CTO as Director, Standards Strategy. He is responsible for Ross’ activities in standards and trade organizations, as well as its global thought leadership program.

    Chris also serves as Executive Director of the Open Services Alliance (OSA), a global industry organization focused on interoperability among microservice oriented media systems, now a part of SMPTE’s Rapid Industry Solutions. The OSA produced the media industry’s first microservices standards and continues to lead the way in this rapidly evolving area.

    Chris has held a variety of leadership positions in the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE),
    including Standards Director, Western US Governor, Local Section Chair, and Chair of multiple Technology Committees. He is a SMPTE Fellow and recipient of SMPTE’s prestigious 2008 Citation. He currently is a manager of the SMPTE Rocky Mountain Section and serves on the IABM Board.

  • Stan Moote, IABM

    Stan Moote

    IABM

    Stan Moote is CTO of IABM, the international vendors’ association for the digital media and entertainment sector. A highly respected industry veteran, Moote began his television career in 1977 as a plant engineer for CFTO-TV in Toronto, Canada. He was involved in the original SMPTE Digital Video Standards Committee meetings creating CCIR-601 and continues by coordinating activities within the industry for standards groups. Through his domain knowledge working with video and audio, Moote developed several patents and focuses on workflow solutions, new technology, and interoperability. Stan is SMPTE Life Fellow, recipient of the SMPTE Digital Processing Medal Award and a SMPTE Governor-at-large.

  • Emeka Okoli, Zixi
5:00 pm – 5:25 pm
Vid2Vec: the First AI-Driven “Narrative Grammar” for Film & TV
  • Yves Bergquist, Entertainment Technology Center – USC Cinematic Arts
5:25 pm – 5:50 pm
Creative Flow or Friction? Exploring Artists’ Emotional and Cognitive Responses to AI in Media Production
  • Holly Beavon, I2A2 Technologies, Studios, & Labs

    Holly Beavon

    I2A2 Technologies, Studios, & Labs

    Dr. Holly Beavon is a research psychologist studying media and technology, emphasizing engagement, persuasion, immersive technologies, and human-computer interaction. Her postdoctoral work investigates the taxonomies and measurement of character identification and representation in interactive media and applies machine learning techniques for statistical analysis and modeling. Holly’s broad background encompasses live entertainment, work in front of the camera as an actor, and post-production from editorial to mastering for broadcast.

    Beyond the immediate application to current media and technology, Holly is interested in extending her research to digital humans and next-level audience immersion utilizing a contextual interplay between identification, moral, cultural, and psychological factors based on statistical models applied to generative AI.

     

5:50 pm – 6:00 pm
What Just Happened? A Review of the Day by Annie Chang and Leon Silverman
OFFICIAL END OF 2025 HPA TECH RETREAT
6:00 pm – 6:10-ish
Post-Retreat Treat: The “Ghost Army” That Fooled Hitler
  • Anne Brooker-Grogan and Ed Grogan

Speakers

Below are bios submitted by some of our 2025 Tech Retreat speakers.

Check back often for updates!

Graef Allen

Dolby Laboratories

Graef Allen

Graef has worked for Dolby Laboratories since 2004. She joined the company to work as a 35mm film projectionist at Dolby’s Burbank screening room. Over the past 21 years, her responsibilities have included film and digital projection, Dolby Digital audio encoding, DCP mastering, visual QC, and managing the technical operations team that mastered and encoded some of the first Dolby Vision titles. In recent years, her focus has been on SDR-to-Dolby Vision conversions. Graef has a BA in biochemistry from the University of Oxford. When she’s not working, Graef enjoys going to the movies, traveling, watching Jeopardy!, and beading (a hobby she picked up during the pandemic).

Richard Atkinson

Artificial Individual Intelligence

Richard Atkinson

CEO, Artificial Individual Intelligence, LLC. President, Content Delivery and Security Assoc. Former GM, CTO, CSO, CIO, Sr Exec driving profound business growth at Adobe, Disney, EA, and Northop Grumman

Led profound incremental business growth for Disney ($1B/year) and Adobe ($1.6B TAM) through innovative strategies and bold leadership. Broadly recognized across many leaders and companies of Media & Entertainment for an engaging and inclusive leadership style and understanding the critical intersection of technology, business, and customer/human engagement. Exceptionally strong technically, while also having a creative advertising background and passion that has allowed me to drive the solutions while also bringing the customer base and key stakeholders along in the journey

Bill Baggelaar

UHD Alliance

Bill Baggelaar

Bill Baggelaar is the President of the UHD Alliance, an industry organization focused on elevating the consumer experience for UHD viewing at home. Bil is the former Chief Technology Officer at Sony Pictures Entertainment. As a visionary senior executive, Bill sets technology strategy, leads research and development efforts, and leverages emerging technologies that shape the future of cloud-based production, post-production, and delivery of creative content for film and television.

Bill brings his extensive experience in production, visual effects, and post-production along with his work collaborating with partners throughout the industry in developing and implementing key technologies. His work on IMF, 4K, HDR, and virtual production has been instrumental in driving the entertainment industry forward.

Bill is a highly respected, active leader in multiple industry organizations and initiatives. He is the co-chair of The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, Science & Technology Council and is the co-chair of the Academy’s ACES Project. He also serves as the co-chair on the Television Academy’s Generative AI Summit. Bill is a member of SMPTE and active with the Advanced Imaging Society. In his efforts to provide a vision for the future of the entertinment industry, Bill was a co-author on the MovieLabs 2030 Vision whitepaper; “The Future of Media Creation”.

Hanno Basse

Stability AI

Hanno Basse

 Hanno Basse is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Stability AI, a leading generative AI company developing cutting-edge models and applications across image, video, 3D, and audio. With over 30 years of experience, Hanno has driven technological innovation across media, entertainment, and technology industries.

Prior to joining Stability AI, Hanno served as CTO at Digital Domain, where he led technical infrastructure, research and development, and machine-learning initiatives. Before that, he served as CTO of Microsoft Azure Media and Entertainment, where he led the deployment of cloud, edge, and AI technologies. He previously held the role of CTO at 20th Century Fox Film Corp., driving advancements in production and distribution systems.

Hanno is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a Fellow of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, and holds 30 patents, underscoring his contributions to innovation in the industry. 

Holly Beavon

I2A2 Technologies, Studios, & Labs

Holly Beavon

Dr. Holly Beavon is a research psychologist studying media and technology, emphasizing engagement, persuasion, immersive technologies, and human-computer interaction. Her postdoctoral work investigates the taxonomies and measurement of character identification and representation in interactive media and applies machine learning techniques for statistical analysis and modeling. Holly’s broad background encompasses live entertainment, work in front of the camera as an actor, and post-production from editorial to mastering for broadcast.

Beyond the immediate application to current media and technology, Holly is interested in extending her research to digital humans and next-level audience immersion utilizing a contextual interplay between identification, moral, cultural, and psychological factors based on statistical models applied to generative AI.

 

Yves Bergquist

Entertainment Technology Center @ USC

Yves Bergquist

Yves is an AI researcher and the director of the “AI in Media” Project at USC’s Entertainment Technology Center (ETC). A research center at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, ETC brings together all the Hollywood studios as well as large tech companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. At the Center, Yves and his team use frontier AI methods to help media companies develop deep insights into their content, their audiences, and the cognitive relationship between the two. Yves is also the co-founder and CEO of Corto, an AI startup developing AI tools to make stories and audiences computable through the DNA analysis of narratives. Corto is in Private Beta with a dozen studios, advertising agencies, and global consumer brands.

Dane Brehm

Cintegral

Dane Brehm

Dane Brehm, Production Technologist & L600 Digital Imaging Technician has a long-standing desire to BE at the forefront of creativity, technology, sustainability, and workflow. His direct approach, sharing personality, and consideration for bringing meaningful approaches to workflow techniques and solutions is his passion.

Dane balances his time between working on-set as a ICG DIT for ASC DPs; while running Cintegral.tech, a workflow company that focuses on introducing and implementing rentable high-performance enterprise NVMe/ SSD Storage and RAID systems. These systems improve the efficiency, cost effectiveness while increasing productivity for the End User on Location or on Stage. Cintegral’s creed the last six years has been “Fast Drives, Saves Lives”

Dane’s company Cintegral has supported over 474 productions since 2016 to bridge modern 4K/6K/8K Studio and Streaming content data footprint for large format-multi-camera-VFX intensive Feature Films, Television shows, and Music Festivals. Dane’s connective personality has forged deep partnerships with  OEMs and Suppliers to develop tools and software for Union and Non-Union crews across the US, Pacific, Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Dane is an ASC Technical Instructor, SMPTE and Local 600 member, as well as a participant in the ASC-MITC Advanced Data Management working group.  He is a founding member of the DIT super group “DIT-WIT,” which comprises over 350 global members to discuss, share, develop, and execute the creative and technical needs of present and future productions. When he’s not participating he enjoys traveling with his Wife and Family, LAFC Football Matches, and is a avid Motorcyclist.

Kathryn Brillhart

Kathryn Brillhart

Kathryn Brillhart is a Cinematographer, Director, and Producer who leverages volumetric capture, visualization techniques, and supervising visual effects to enhance projects. For the past decade, she has helped to redefine best practices and standards in virtual production and has advocated for diversity in the film industry through her role on the Global Board of Directors for the Visual Effects Society and SMPTE’s Rapid Industry Solutions OSVP group. Kathryn is a member of the Virtual Production Committee within the ASC Motion Imaging and Technology Council as well as the Alliance of Women Directors and Women In Media. Her written work and case studies have been published by USC’s Entertainment Technology Center and SMPTE’s Motion Imaging Journal. With recent advancements in machine learning and generative AI, Kathryn participates in open source AI communities exploring integrations in both her independent and mainstream workflows.

Her recent work and role as Virtual Production Supervisor, incorporates real-time game engine and virtual production techniques to achieve in-camera visual effects, including such projects as Warner Bros. Black Adam (2022), Netflix’s Rebel Moon (2023), Camille (2025), and Amazon Studios’ Fallout (2024).

Mark Chiolis

Mobile TV Group

Mark Chiolis

Mark Chiolis is the Director of Business Development for Mobile TV Group (MTVG), which provides facilities for over 4,500 live professional and college sports and entertainment events annually, with more than 35 mobile units, and dozens of remote Cloud Control facilities, based throughout the U.S.  MTVG has been leading the 4K/UHD/HDR/Cloud live event production with key broadcasters, networks and distribution companies.

Mark is currently working to interface with customers and partners to develop and support MTVG’s entertainment, awards, corporate, concerts, egames, and esports events with current and new trucks, using both broadcast and cine workflows.

Prior to MTVG, Chiolis worked in marketing, business development, and sales for Grass Valley, Thomson, Technicolor, Philips, and BTS as well as at television stations KMUV, KRBK and KVIE in Sacramento California.

Chiolis is an active board member of the HPA, an associate member of the American Society of Cinematographers, member of the NAB Cine Consortium, member of the SciTech group at the Television Academy (Emmys), member of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), member of International Association of Aviation Photographers, past section manager of SMPTE, member of STE, SBE and California Broadcasters Association.

Martin Christien

iodyne

Martin Christien

Martin Christien is a workflow specialist with over 20 years experience working in production with the last decade spent working in workflow production technology for many high-end brands in the M&E space including the BBC, PostBox Systems, G-Technology, Fender, and iodyne. Martin has focused on the science of workflow efficiency to develop production pipelines and product that prepare for the tech that’s coming next.
Now as Director of Workflow at iodyne, Martin is proud to help develop the tools for the future of filmmaking, creating a new perspective as to how we think about the hardware and software we use to tell stories.
A self professed ‘MacGyver’, you’ll find him in the garage either building or breaking something, “either way we’re having fun right!”.

Michael Cioni

Strada

Michael Cioni

Michael Cioni celebrates 25 years as a recognized pioneer in storytelling technology. A four-time Emmy Award winner who was named as one of the Hollywood Reporter’s most influential figures in tech, Michael has founded and led multiple successful ventures including Light Iron, a trailblazing post production company acquired by Panavision. As Panavision’s SVP of Innovation, he led the team that built the groundbreaking Millennium DXL 8K camera system. At Frame.io, an Adobe company, Michael spearheaded their camera-to-cloud program, igniting an entirely new standard of cloud-based cinema acquisition and workflow.

As both a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and an associate member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), Michael thrives at the intersection of creativity and technology. With his 3rd startup, Strada, Michael continues to push the technological boundaries within media and entertainment, combining expertise as an entrepreneur, innovator, team builder, and mentor.

Dave Clark

Promise

Dave Clark

Dave Clark is an award-winning filmmaker at the forefront of integrating Generative AI into film, TV, and advertising. He is currently the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Promise. Recognized as a leading voice for his ability to seamlessly blend nuanced storytelling with cutting-edge technology, he has become one of the most sought-after artists, with top filmmakers and storytellers worldwide turning to him for guidance on this transformative technology. Clark recently amassed millions of views for his groundbreaking AI directing work, including his short film “Battalion,” which focused on the only Black unit to arrive on Omaha Beach in Normandy during World War 2. It quickly captured the attention of Hollywood, with many top directors reaching out to learn more about the technology behind it. Dave also garnered widespread acclaim when he released the world’s first hybrid narrative genre short, “Another,” combining live-action and GenAI. It was screened during his keynote presentation at Cannes Next in 2024. Over his career, Dave has also been a successful brand marketer and commercial director – creating films, immersive engagements, and brand spots for companies like Coca-Cola, Snapchat, Hewlett Packard, Warner Bros., and Intel. Dave has spoken about the future of filmmaking at prestigious events around the globe (including Sundance, the Berlinale, MIT, Indiewire, Picture This Conference, and the Cannes Film Festival). He resides in Southern California with his wife and children.

Travis Couture

Twelve Labs

Travis Couture

Biologist turned technologist, Travis has a wealth of experience across academia, industry, and startups. With deep roots in computer vision research, Travis spends his time with Twelve Labs’ customers to sweat the details on how they utilize cutting edge technologies in their video workflows.

Margaret Craig

Signiant

Margaret Craig

Margaret Craig is an experienced business leader in the media technology space.  She currently serves as CEO of Signiant, a venture-backed enterprise software company that provides advanced technology for transferring large data sets over public and private IP networks.  Under her leadership, Signiant developed an innovative SaaS platform that drove rapid top-line growth, established the company as the market leader, and enabled a business model transition from licensed software to SaaS.

Prior to assuming the CEO role at Signiant in late 2011, Margaret served as COO of Ascent Media Network Services, a provider of managed services for content distribution. There she led the technology transition to file-based delivery platforms and oversaw contract negotiations with some of the world’s largest content owners. Prior to Ascent Media, Margaret was the CEO of publicly-traded Leitch Technology, a global provider of technical infrastructure for television production and transmission; and served as President of Snell & Wilcox, a supplier of video image processing software and hardware.

Ms. Craig holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University.  She began her career as a design engineer at Tektronix, where she contributed to the development of television test equipment and RF products.

Richard Crudo

Richard Crudo

Richard Crudo, ASC’s lengthy resume includes many notable feature films. Among them are Federal Hill, American Buffalo, American Pie, Down to Earth, Outside Providence, Grind, Out Cold and Brooklyn Rules. On the television side, he has photographed numerous episodes of FX Network’s Justified, the CW’s Jane the Virgin, MTV’s Awkward and CBS’s SWAT. He has also contributed to such series as Good Girls Revolt and Doubt (Amazon), Greenleaf (OWN), Sweet Vicious (MTV) and NCIS, Tommy and Why Women Kill (CBS).

In Spring 2022, Mr. Crudo shot the pilot episode of Federal Hill: The Beginning. Executive Produced by Terence Winter (creator of Boardwalk Empire, writer/producer of The Sopranos & The Wolf of Wall Street), it saw him reunited with longtime collaborator, writer/director Michael Corrente. Immediately following, he shot the pilot episode of Executive Producer David E. Kelley’s ABC series, Avalon.

Mr. Crudo is a six-term Past President of the American Society of Cinematographers and served for three years as a Governor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He is a frequent lecturer at universities and a regular contributor to American Cinematographer magazine and other industry publications.

He is also a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and in 2007 was made a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society.

Sally-Ann D’Amato

SMPTE

Sally-Ann D’Amato

Sally-Ann D’Amato is the Executive Director of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), bringing over two decades of leadership and operational expertise to the organization. She began her career at SMPTE in 2001 as an administrative assistant and steadily advanced through key roles, including executive assistant, director of operations, and director of events and governance liaison. In October 2024, she was appointed interim executive director, and by December 2024, she was officially named to the role by the SMPTE Board of Governors.

Throughout her tenure, D’Amato has played a pivotal role in shaping SMPTE’s operational framework, contributing to the development of its current bylaws and operations manuals. She has successfully managed and produced the Society’s annual technical conference, now the Media Technology Summit, since 2005, including leading its transition to a virtual format during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also led the planning and execution of SMPTE’s centennial gala in 2016, including co-writing the script and lyrics, and performing in the show.

As Executive Director, D’Amato is focused on driving efficiency, innovation, and collaboration within SMPTE. Her leadership aims to strengthen engagement across its global membership, expand opportunities for industry professionals, and enhance the organization’s infrastructure to support its evolving mission.

D’Amato is also a trained actor and singer and a member of the Actor’s Equity Association (AEA) and the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). She graduated summa cum laude from Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance.

Jason Dachman

SVG

Jason Dachman

Dachman oversees all aspects of SVG’s North American editorial operations – including all news on sportsvideo.org and the daily SVG Insider newsletter – and is one of the primary contributors to SVG’s coverage of the sports-video-production industry. A member of the SVG team since 2009, Dachman also serves as Program Director for SVG’s Esports Production Forum, Regional Sports Production Summit, Sports Content Management Forum, Sports Graphics Forum, SVG NEXT conference, and TranSPORT conference. Prior to joining SVG, he covered local sports for The Patriot Ledger in Quincy, MA, and served on the production staff of SiriusXM’s The Ron & Fez Show. Dachman began his career in the Sports Information department at Northeastern University in Boston, where he earned a BA in Media Communications and Cinema Studies. A native of Denver, CO, Jason currently resides in Queens, NY, with his wife Alyson and children Hank and June.

Dave Davis

Protege

Dave Davis

Dave Davis is GM, Protege Media at Protege, where Dave leads Protege’s licensing activities with respect to audiovisual media for generative AI. Protege acquired Calliope Networks, where Dave was co-founder and CEO. Prior to Calliope Networks, Dave was an entertainment licensing executive at 20th Century Fox, NBCUniversal, Paramount and MPLC. Dave began his career as a financial analyst at Goldman Sachs in New York, and as a corporate lawyer at Gunderson Dettmer in Silicon Valley. Dave holds a BA from Wesleyan University and a JD from the University of Michigan Law School. Dave is a member of the California bar and sits on the Copyright Society’s AI sub-committee.

Rowan de Pomerai

DPP

Rowan de Pomerai

Rowan de Pomerai is the CEO of the DPP. He brings a highly rounded understanding of the media and technology industries, with experience working in broadcast, production, streaming, and software companies.

He joined the DPP in 2018, spending several years as the CTO. In 2024 he became CEO, leading the DPP team to deliver against its strategy to be the leading association for media and technology, delivering ever more value to more member companies around the world.

Rowan also leads many of the DPP’s outputs, from authoring insight reports to programming and hosting major events

Lee Eigner

Sony Music Vision

Lee Eigner

Lee Eigner is the Senior Director of Film Operations at Sony Music Vision, where he oversees post-production, theatrical and home entertainment mastering, deliverable specifications, and global content delivery.

At Amazon Studios, Lee managed content workflows and quality control processes for launches. He also worked on accessibility initiatives, collaborating with experts to address gaps and develop innovative solutions for enhancing media accessibility.

At Sony Music Vision, Lee continues to advocate for advancing accessibility technology in streaming and theatrical environments to better serve audiences with disabilities.

Barbara Ford Grant

Barbara Ford Grant

Barbara is a pioneering media and entertainment executive with over 25 years of experience bridging art and technology in storytelling. Currently working on AI innovations, she previously served as President of Prysm, NEP Virtual Studios, and CTO of Meow Wolf. Her career spans leadership roles at major studios including HBO, Digital Domain, Sony Pictures Imageworks, and DreamWorks Animation, where she developed breakthrough technologies for productions like Game of Thrones, Maleficent, and the Shrek franchise.

Throughout her career, Barbara has focused on transforming visual storytelling through technological innovation while maintaining an artist’s perspective. Her expertise ranges from image science to digital human animation to mixed-reality platforms, to virtual production, consistently pushing the boundaries of creative expression in entertainment. Barbara is on the Advisory Board for Sohonet, a member of both the Television and Motion Picture Academies, having chaired the Scientific and Technical Awards Committee from 2018-2023, and has been a member of the VES Technology Committee since 2019.

Carin Forman

AWS

Carin Forman

Carin is the Global Partner Lead, supporting Media & Entertainment partners in the Media Supply Chain and Archive segment at AWS. Carin brings over 25 years of experience in Broadcast and Studio operations, focused on media supply chain and distribution. Carin started her career working at Discovery Channel, writing the first business plan to archive, index and digitize Discovery Communications growing library of content, building archive, media management and content distribution workflows. Carin launched Discovery’s Digital Media Center, an asset management system, designed to digitize, and make content globally discoverable, eliminating tape. After 16 years, Carin moved to NY working for HBO, where she managed and built the end-to-end workflows for HBO’s Photography, Graphics and Promo Videos. Carin implemented cloud collaboration solutions to handle rights, ingest, review, approval and distribution to Social, OTT and onto HBO Max. Carin joined AWS in 2021 as part of the AWS Partner team. Carin’s focus is on strategic enablement and partner development, providing expertise for partners supporting Archive Migrations, Monetization, Media Management, Rights and Metadata Management, Content Orchestration, Media Processing and Localization. In her free time, Carin enjoys skiing, kayaking and travel.

Tahirah Foy

ArsenalFX Color

Tahirah Foy

Tahirah Foy is a talented colorist with extensive professional experience in color grading for scripted television series, theatrical feature films, made for television movies, unscripted specials, documentary series, music artist visual albums, short form network promotional material, and television/film restoration. She is a young, talented, technically adept artist entering the next exciting phase of her professional journey as a colorist.

Based in Los Angeles, CA, Tahirah draws visual inspiration from still photography, street art, fine art, personal experiences and travel. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film & Media Culture and Economics from Middlebury College in 2010 and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Media Arts from Emerson College in 2014. She began her career as a Post-Production Coordinator in short form promo for numerous network campaigns and served as a Post Production Coordinator on the AMC series Fear the Walking Dead. Tahirah transitioned to the roles of Finishing Editor and Color Assist in 2018. In 2019, she joined HBO as a Final Picture Colorist, where was one of the Colorist in the internal HBO restoration team that remastered nearly 100 episodes of the hit series Sex
and the City and the first two season of the critically acclaimed Six Feet Under.

Tahirah is currently a Senior Colorist at ArsenalFX Color where she have served as Final Colorist for Season 1 of the BET’s #1 drama Series “Average Joe”, Hulu and Onyx Collective’s Original docuseries “Black Twitter: A People’s History, Keke Palmer’s Amazon Music visual album “Big Boss”, the Hallmark Original television movie “Rescuing Christmas”, and Sony Pictures International feature film “Caras Vemos”. She also provides additional color for the 21st Season of ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy”.

As a colorist Tahirah strives to understand the creative vision and create a safe space for visual exploration. She uses her professional experience and skillsets to help make each creative idea as clear, captivating, and engaging as possible. Tahirah understands striking visuals are about a world built from our emotions and human experiences, both as individuals and as a collective. As a colorist she trusts the theoretical visual language of color grading just as much as the technical building blocks of the color science. She enjoys being on the frontlines of industry innovation and approaches each project with openness and a collaborative spirit.

Craig German

HPA

Craig German

Craig has spent most of his career in the entertainment industry, and for the past 20 years has held executive positions in post production and at Hollywood film and television studios, most recently as CEO of Crafty Apes, a visual effects company that works on Hollywood’s biggest blockbuster movies and premier TV shows. Prior to that, he spent three and a half years building and leading the Worldwide Post Production organization at Amazon Studios. Craig is currently advising corporate and startup clients on business strategy, product roadmap, market assessment, and sales outreach.

Mathew Gilliat-Smith

ConvergentDS

Mathew Gilliat-Smith

Mathew has over 20 years experience in the M&E sector, with strong relationships at many levels within the Film and TV studios, broadcasters and their supply chain. In particular he works with localization, visual effects and other production and post production service providers across the globe. Mathew is responsible for developing Convergent’s initiatives for on-prem, hybrid, cloud and SaaS application security, which includes assessments, threat assessment penetration testing, and general consultancy for security readiness. He manages Convergent’s corporate and business growth strategies including the promotion of the TPN initiative. He was previously founder and CEO of software development businesses focusing on video encryption solutions.

Brandin Grams

The Rowing Channel

Brandin Grams

Brandin is the co-founder of The Rowing Channel (TRC), now a platform of the Watersports Broadcasting Corporation (WBC). Once started by a trifecta of athletes between Orange Coast College and California State University, Long Beach, to pool resources to fulfill a gap of racing coverage, TRC became a national and even worldwide figure over the last 10 years. Supported by volunteers from our partnering broadcast and venue organizations, TRC became a cooperative effort of west-coast colleges, universities, athletic conferences and rowing organizations around the nation.

Brandin’s team has established the production operations that became a standard, bar-none in places including, but not limited to, the Sacramento State Aquatic Center, the Lake Lanier Olympic Park, Newport Harbor, Mission Bay San Diego, Tempe Town Lake, the Chula Vista High Performance Center, the Dexter Lake State Recreation Area, and the Vancouver Lake State Recreation Areas.

Brandin’s experience includes seven years at Intel working in network software development on edge computing, part of the technology that drives several sports data functions at venues around the country.

Ed Grogan

Ed Grogan

Department of Defense

Ed Grogan

Edward T. Grogan received his BSEE and MSEE from Drexel University. He is now retired from the DoD after working on advanced technologies for 43 years. In the past he was one of the lead engineers within the DoD who helped define progressive HDTV as the format for DoD and industry. He is currently working, as a contractor, in a specialized field of technology that he first brought into the DoD, and adapted to government needs when he was with the DoD. He is a member of HPA, Visual Effects Society and a life member of SMPTE. He teaches a class at the National Intelligence University. In his time off, he, his wife, and his cats are still building a house. When you build your own house, it’s never finished.

Kari Grubin

HPA

Kari Grubin

Kari Grubin is a distinguished executive with over 25 years of leadership experience in studio divisions, global post-production facilities, and corporate departments. She is recognized for her expertise in technology, strategic consulting, and post-production services.

Kari is currently the President of the Hollywood Professional Association (HPA), where she has served on the Board of Directors and volunteered for many years. She co-founded HPA Women in Post in 2011, an initiative providing leadership and visibility for women in professional content creation. Alongside board member Loren Nielsen, she also helped launch the HPA Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) program, which has mentored nearly 200 young professionals. In 2021, Kari and Renard Jenkins initiated HPA All, a program to foster diversity in the media and entertainment community by promoting career pathways and visibility for underrepresented groups. She led the 2022 HPA Tech Retreat Supersession and is currently planning the 2025 Retreat with the HPA Program Committee.

Currently, Kari serves as Membership Services Director for the Motion Picture Association’s Trusted Partner Network, where her focus is on enhanced security preparedness and best practices at all stages in the digital media supply chain.  Committed to industry innovation, Kari previously served as project director for SMPTE’s Rapid Industry Solutions on Set Virtual Production Initiative. In 2021, she joined the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Production and Technology Branch.

Kari’s career includes executive roles at Universal Studios, Paramount Studios, Global Entertainment Partners (GEP), Deluxe Entertainment Services Group, NSS Labs, and Walt Disney Studios. She has contributed significantly to media technology and is listed as a co-inventor for three U.S. patents in media and entertainment technology.

Seth Hallen

Hallstone Ventures

Seth Hallen

With over 25 years of experience in media and entertainment technology, Seth is a visionary leader in AI, passionate about storytelling and its intersection with technology. He supports AI-driven MediaTech startups by helping them secure funding, refine their product strategies, gain visibility, and build vital industry connections.

Seth is a strong advocate for AI’s potential to enhance human creativity, believing it can serve as a powerful assistant in the creative process. Throughout his career, he has built strong relationships with decision-makers and led teams to success in North America and Europe, driving revenue growth and setting new industry standards.

As a member of the TV Academy’s AI Task Force and having served as president of the Hollywood Professional Association for nine years, Seth is actively involved in shaping the future of the media and entertainment sector. His mission is to empower creators with innovative tools, inspire change, and help the industry thrive by anticipating the next big shift in technology and creativity.

Mark Harrison

DPP

Mark Harrison

Mark began his career as an Historian at Cambridge University, with several publications to his name, before moving into the media industry. He spent many years as a Director, Producer and Executive Producer, and won numerous awards for his filmmaking, including an International Emmy and a BAFTA nomination.

Mark was Managing Director of an independent production company before being appointed BBC Head of Arts, and then Head of Multiplatform Production. He was subsequently Controller of Production for BBC North and leader of the BBC’s End-to-End Digital programme, before becoming Director of Transformation for BBC Design & Engineering.

In 2015 Mark founded the DPP – the international network for media and technology – and became its CEO. This led the International Moving Image Society to give him an Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award in 2018.

Today the DPP has around 550 member companies from across the whole media supply chain – from the global tech giants to broadcasters, and from media tech vendors to production companies. The DPP works with its member companies to generate strategic insight and create business opportunities. In 2024 Mark passed the CEO role to Rowan de Pomerai, and is now Founder and Chief Content Officer.

Kevin Haug

KTH_VFX

Kevin Haug

Kevin Tod Haug has surfed the paradigm shifts from optical to digital, from motion control to CGI, and from small screen to large and back again. And now in Near Real Time – for Edoardo De Angelis’ COMANDANTE.

His credits include:
-Three films for David Fincher: THE GAME, FIGHT CLUB and PANIC ROOM
-Tarsem’s visually dazzling THE CELL; and Zach Helm’s remarkable MR. MAGORIUM’S WONDER EMPORIUM
-Six projects with Marc Forster including FINDING NEVERLAND, STAY, STRANGER THAN FICTION, KITE RUNNER and QUANTUM OF SOLACE (BAFTA nomination)
-Frequent collaborations with David Slade including ECLIPSE and BARKSKINS. and an Emmy nomination for AMERICAN GODS – under the Aegis of Neil Gaiman, Bryan Fuller and Michael Green.

Haug is a member of the ASC Tech Council, AMPAS, BAFTA, ATAS, the DGA and the CIA (California Institute of the Arts).

Ethan Jacks

MediaBridge Capital Advisors

Ethan Jacks

Ethan co-founded MediaBridge Capital Advisors in 2012 with partner John Bowen. MediaBridge is a leading boutique investment bank, focused on mergers and acquisitions and capital raises in the media technology sector. Ethan began his career in digital media in 1999 at Avid Technology, serving as EVP of Corporate Development, Chief Legal Officer and interim Chief Financial Officer. Ethan helped drive Avid’s strategy to grow both organically and through strategic M&A, leading a total of 15 acquisitions of private and publicly held companies that fueled Avid’s growth across its film, video, and audio sectors. In that period, Avid’s market value grew from $400 million to $2.5 billion. Previously Ethan co-founded an environmental technology company using MIT developed technology for recycling hazardous and toxic waste, which raised over $500m in growth capital. Ethan practiced corporate law for 10 years, including as a partner at McDermott, Will & Emery. Ethan holds a B.S. and MBA from MIT’s Sloan School of Management, and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. Ethan has lectured on entrepreneurship at MIT and spoken on M&A at many industry events.

Renard Jenkins

I2A2 Technologies, Studios & Labs

Renard Jenkins

Renard T. Jenkins is the President and CEO of I2A2 Technologies, Studios, and Labs. A software development and consulting firm specializing in the creation of ethically responsible tools, solutions, and experiences for the M&E, Marketing & Research, Education, and Healthcare industries, utilizing both emerging and traditional technologies. Jenkins is an experienced executive in the Technology, Film, Television, and Radio industries. Jenkins also currently serves as Vice President of the Hollywood Professionals Association, Immediate Past President of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, and sits on the board of Exceptional Minds. He is
also an active member of the Television Academy and The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. He has held Executive roles across the Technology, Media, and Entertainment industry.

Prior to rejoining WarnerMedia and Warner Bros., Jenkins served as Vice President, Operations, Engineering, and Distribution at PBS, where he designed and led the strategic direction, technology development, engineering, and operational management of PBS’s entire media-supply chain. He has also worked for TV One, Discovery, ESPN, NBA Ent., MLB, NFL, and Turner Broadcasting.

Jenkins is a recipient of numerous awards, including two national Emmys, a Peabody, two Headliners, and a 2020 Broadcasting and Cable Technology Leadership award. In 2017, Jenkins was recognized as an Innovator of the Year award recipient for his groundbreaking contributions to the fields of Ultra High Definition (UHD), High Dynamic Range (HDR), Next Generation Audio (NGA) technologies, and supply chain management through his work at the PBS Advanced Format Center and various industry initiatives. Jenkins is a steadfast advocate for ethical conduct, inclusivity, innovation, diversity, equity, acceptance, accessibility, and the elimination of discriminatory biases within the technology and media sectors. Additionally, he holds certifications as a sound engineer, AI/ML engineer, and application designer among others. Jenkins holds a deep passion for the visual arts and, when time permits, offers pro bono services in location sound recording, live mixing, studio recording, post-production, and finishing for
aspiring filmmakers, animators, and musicians. His family’s guiding principle is “In all things, integrity, and integrity in all things.”

Ryan Khurana

MLSE

Ryan Khurana

Ryan Khurana currently leads Machine Learning initiatives at Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, where he pioneered their Video Alchemy project – a groundbreaking approach to video search and editing using multimodal embeddings. This innovation has unlocked over 30 years of archive footage for video producers, revolutionizing content creation workflows.

Prior to MLSE, Ryan served as Chief of Staff at WOMBO Studios, one of the first consumer Generative AI startups, releasing text-to-image and image-to-video apps that garnered hundreds millions of users. His work spans the intersection of AI and entertainment, with particular expertise in generative AI, video processing, and large language models.

Ryan holds a Master of Management Analytics from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and has published extensively on AI adoption and strategy.

Josh Kline

Scripto

Josh Kline

Josh Kline is an Emmy-winning technologist and entrepreneur known for pioneering innovations in media and entertainment. He co-founded Sample Digital, where he developed and patented Digital Dailies, a groundbreaking streaming solution for film and TV production, earning a Primetime Emmy Engineering Award in 2013. Josh has held executive roles at Box, Final Draft, and Deluxe, leading cloud-based solutions for content creation and management. In 2024, he assumed the role of CEO at Scripto, a SaaS platform for collaborative scriptwriting and IP management. He also founded HaveNeed, a barter marketplace promoting circular economies, and HOOZIN, a group event management app. As a strategic consultant, he has advised top companies, including Microsoft and Avid. Josh is a USC alumnus.

Oz Krakowski

Deepdub

Oz Krakowski

Oz Krakowski is leading Deepdub’s business development and strategic sales and has overseen the localization of hundreds of hours of scripted and unscripted content into multiple languages using Deepdub’s groundbreaking AI-powered localization platform. From dubbing theatricals, award-winning indie films, the first ever dubbed scripted drama on Hulu (“Vanda”) to unscripted content like reality show “Hardcore Pawn” and docu-crime “Forensic Files”, Oz has been fostering collaborations and partnerships with studios and content owners around the globe. He is also an active member of the DEG Committees and a judge in the prestigious DEG EnTech Awards. Deepdub is the only AI dubbing company that is TPN Gold Shield and GDPR certified. The company has launched the Deepdub GO platform, enabling content owners and dubbing studios access to the most advanced AI dubbing platform and tools to maintain full control over the process. Oz is a serial entrepreneur and before joining Deepdub was co-founder of a startup in the healthcare market. He lives in Dallas Texas for the past 17 years where he completed his Executive MBA program at Southern Methodist University.

Daniel Kramer

Daniel Kramer

Daniel is a Visual Effects Supervisor at Sony Pictures Imageworks with over three decades of experience working on live-action and animated projects. He is passionate about the art and science of VFX and currently supervising an animated feature film at Imageworks for Netflix.

Daniel began his career in the early ’90s at VisionArt as a lead artist, working on such projects as Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Independence Day, and Godzilla. His keen eye and technical knowledge of VFX, and particularly procedural animation systems, brought him to Sony Imageworks where he moved into supervising roles on such projects as Surf’s Up, developing and overseeing the wave, water, and sand systems, and ultimately as Visual Effects Supervisor on projects including: Men in Black: International, Ghostbusters, and Edge of Tomorrow where he led a talented team to bring a militarized Heathrow, massive beach battles, the alien Mimic to life.

In addition to VFX supervision Daniel served as Head of CG at Imageworks, ensuring visual quality and providing technical guidance across multiple feature films.

Daniel is a member of the Motion Picture Academy and the Visual Effects Society, where he has been nominated for multiple awards. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in Political Science.

Denys Krasnikov

Vidby.AI

Denys Krasnikov

AI professional in translation technologies with 10 years of experience; he started his startup projects after graduating from the Innovations in Economic Development Program at Harvard University in 2014, many years before the artificial intelligence boom. Denys has invested his time and money in developing breakthrough life-changing technologies of accurate AI localization of video and audio content and real-time voice translation solutions. Denys is a Google Cloud Innovator and Responsible AI Researcher. He is a Y Combinator School ’2019 Alumni; Ph.D., an executive member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, a member of the Hollywood Professional Association, and a vice president of the Ukrainian League of Industrialists & Entrepreneurs. In 2023, he was selected as a United Nations Consultant and Contractor for AI localization of educational content.

Barbara Lange

Kibo121

Barbara Lange

Barbara Lange is an entrepreneur and accomplished executive business leader. Her career includes serving as executive leader for prominent global not-for-profit professional associations. Barbara is renowned for her leadership skills, effectively collaborating with Boards to optimize organizational performance and ensure enduring success.
In 2022, she founded Kibo121, a consultancy committed to guiding industry towards sustainable solutions, encompassing environmental, social, and
governance (ESG) considerations.

In 2023, together with Dovetail Creative, Kibo121 co-founded the Media Tech Sustainability Series (MTSS), a non-commercial program to aid the media tech industry on sustainability issues through webinars, training, and industry events.

Barbara’s achievements include executive leadership role at SMPTE and the HPA, with previous roles in business development and product management at the IEEE. Presently, she serves on the board and chairs a working group of the Greening of Streaming industry initiative and is sits on sustainability committees for ATSC and SMPTE. She is a member of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP), SMPTE, and the HPA.

Alan Lasky

MSB

Alan Lasky

Alan Lasky is a highly accomplished executive experienced in developing and delivering new technologies, workflows and models within the media/entertainment and virtual reality sectors. Some of the technologies Alan has been instrumental in bringing to markets include LIDAR, high resolution digital acquisition, and 3D camera tracking among others. Currently Alan is exploring the outer realms of the Media & Entertainment space while keeping one foot firmly planted in history.

Soyoung Lee

Twelve Labs

Soyoung Lee

Soyoung is a Co-Founder at Twelve Labs where she leads the go-to-market team working closely with enterprises across industries to bring cutting edge foundation models to their workflows.

Christina Lee Storm

Playbook PLBK / ASHER XR

Christina Lee Storm

Christina Lee Storm is an award-winning producer and senior entertainment executive recognized for her pioneering work at the intersection of storytelling and cutting-edge technologies spanning film, television, animation, documentaries, virtual reality, augmented reality, and XR.

As Co-Founder of PLAYBOOK PLBK and Founder/CEO of ASHER XR, she leads her companies to strategically, creatively, and ethically integrate emerging technologies like real-time, virtual production, and AI into traditional, digital, and multi-platform storytelling.

As former Director of Virtual Production UCAN at Netflix, Christina fostered innovation in content creation and creativity for the studio’s IP and franchises across Netflix’s series, films, live, unscripted, experiences, ads, and ancillary content. Christina was also responsible for strategically building and overseeing virtual production ecosystems, spaces, and stages around the world and collaborated with filmmakers and industry partners to drive growth and innovation adoption.

While at DreamWorks Animation, Christina was Vice President of Business Operations, Strategy, & Emerging Technology, where she championed the future of real-time content creation and workflows.

Beyond her work in emerging media, Christina is passionate about thought-provoking films having produced“ Solitary” starring David Oyelowo with BRON Studios, as well as documentaries “Life After Pi,” and “Jurassic Punk,” among many titles. Her collaborations span the globe, contributing to acclaimed productions like “The Artist” and “Life of Pi.”

Christina serves as the Governor of the Television Academy’s Emerging Media Programming peer group, Co-Chair of the Academy’s Advocacy Committee, and an active member of the Academy’s AI Task Force. Additionally, she serves on the Producers Guild of America’s Production Innovation Task Force, the Los Angeles Mayor’s Entertainment Industry Council and Workforce Development Sub-Committee. Christina is an advisor for Runway’s 100 Film Fund and is also Co-Founder of Playbook AID, an ethical solution for everyone to protect, secure, and control their intellectual property in the age of online digital theft.

Christina is globally recognized as a thought leader in the emerging media landscape and is recognized for her leadership and dedication to the industry. She was inducted into AWE’s inaugural XR Hall of Fame, received the Lumiere Distinguished Leadership Award in Technology, and she is a proud Founding Member of DreamWorks Animation’s TECHWomen.

Chris Lennon

Ross Video

Chris Lennon

Chris Lennon serves in Ross Video’s Office of the CTO as Director, Standards Strategy. He is responsible for Ross’ activities in standards and trade organizations, as well as its global thought leadership program.

Chris also serves as Executive Director of the Open Services Alliance (OSA), a global industry organization focused on interoperability among microservice oriented media systems, now a part of SMPTE’s Rapid Industry Solutions. The OSA produced the media industry’s first microservices standards and continues to lead the way in this rapidly evolving area.

Chris has held a variety of leadership positions in the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE),
including Standards Director, Western US Governor, Local Section Chair, and Chair of multiple Technology Committees. He is a SMPTE Fellow and recipient of SMPTE’s prestigious 2008 Citation. He currently is a manager of the SMPTE Rocky Mountain Section and serves on the IABM Board.

Alex LoCasale

Torchlight, Sony Pictures Entertainment

Alex LoCasale

Strategic business leader with an acumen for building an inclusive and diverse culture, optimizing processes for productivity, and architecting deals for maximum profitability for the company and client.

✦ Strategist with Global Mindset – forward-thinking, find new pathways to success for both client and company, launching new divisions, orchestrating M&As between companies, and building lasting global relationships.
✦ Collaborative Leader – build better processes through collaboration and communication, working tirelessly to find a palatable solution for all stakeholders.
✦ Trustworthy Partner – operate at high level of integrity, decisive and transparent in business dealings and always focused on providing the best partnership opportunity to the client to gain their trust and loyalty.
✦ Mentor/Coach – model behavior and listen actively, seek and give advice, manage conflicts and mediate by providing avenues for open dialogue and forums, empowering team members to contribute and grow.

“My philosophy is never to have a client/vendor relationship, but to create a partnership; being service to someone’s success as they are to my own.”

Alex LoVerde

ProdPro

Alex LoVerde

Alexander LoVerde is the CEO and co-founder of ProdPro, a leading provider of market research and insights for the TV and film industry. Before launching ProdPro, LoVerde co-founded and served as CEO of SyncOnSet, which developed the industry-standard software for managing on-set production workflows. SyncOnSet was acquired by Entertainment Partners in 2020.

LoVerde also serves on the board of Toon Boom, a global leader in 2D animation software, and as an Operating Partner with TPG Capital / IMC. Recognized for his contributions to the industry, LoVerde has received an Emmy Award for Engineering Achievement and was featured on Forbes’ 2019 “30 Under 30” Hollywood List. He is a member of both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Television Academy.

Andy Maltz

General Intelligence

Andy Maltz

Andy has over 4 decades of experience instigating, developing, and deploying technologies in the media and entertainment industry,, and now leads a media technology consultancy. Andy also serves as chair of ISO/TC 36 Cinematography, the motion picture industry’s international technical standards body, as a director of the Digital Object Architecture-fostering DONA Foundation, and is on several advisory boards.

Andy’s previous roles include the founding head of staff of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Science and Technology Council, founding board member of the Academy Software Foundation, founder and CEO of digital cinema pioneer Avica Technology, and co-initiator of the Advanced Authoring Format, an industry-standard media authoring interchange format. Andy co-authored the award-winning The Digital Dilemma research reports on digital preservation, received two Engineering Emmy Awards, holds several patents, and is a fellow of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), where he serves on its Motion Imaging Journal Board of Editors.

Mathieu Mazerolle

Foundry

Mathieu Mazerolle

Mathieu Mazerolle has over 28 years of engineering and product experience in the visual effects, cloud, and gaming industries, with a strong focus on innovation and driving the development of new technologies. He is currently the Director of Product, New Technology, at Foundry. Throughout his career, Mathieu has leveraged his technical and and market insights to deliver impactful solutions at leading organizations, including Amazon Web Services, Electronic Arts, Autodesk, Digital Domain, and Ubisoft.

Bobby Micheletti

Universal Studios

Bobby Micheletti

As Chief Engineer at Universal Studios, Bobby Micheletti leverages his extensive expertise to lead the technical operations supporting the Film Group’s Marketing division. His oversight spans critical areas including Trailer and TV finishing, In-House Creative Editorial, Motion Graphics, and Print Production. He and his team are responsible for managing hardware and software upgrades, system maintenance, and implementing innovative workflow solutions. Their focus is on driving continuous improvements to meet the evolving demands and challenges of film marketing, ensuring efficiency, scalability, and creative excellence across all marketing deliverables. Additionally, Bobby oversees the security and integrity of high-traffic data environments, managing secure access in and out of the facility. His leadership ensures that both physical and digital security protocols are in place to protect sensitive content and maintain operational excellence within the studio.

Nick Monton

Company 3

Nick Monton

Nick Monton brings extensive experience in various roles to his work at Company 3, where he oversees the adoption and application of new technology. With a background in motion picture and TV production as well as post-production, he has collaborated closely with artists, technicians, and engineers to develop efficient and artist-friendly workflows.

Monton began his career as a Feature Finishing Producer in his native Australia, at the inception of digital post-production for feature films. He later worked on major projects across all of Company 3’s locations, including Los Angeles, New York, London, and Vancouver. He established Company 3’s thriving New York Features department and managed the entire Los Angeles Features department before moving into his current company-wide position.

Throughout his career, Monton has overseen the implementation of hardware and software on an enterprise scale. He started his career in Sydney as a production systems administrator, where he managed the integration of various hardware and software tools for a VFX and post-production business before joining Company 3. An expert in how complex technical systems fit together, Monton has been instrumental in Company 3’s ability to continually adapt to the latest developments in post-production and the delivery of motion picture and TV projects.

Stan Moote

IABM

Stan Moote

Stan Moote is CTO of IABM, the international vendors’ association for the digital media and entertainment sector. A highly respected industry veteran, Moote began his television career in 1977 as a plant engineer for CFTO-TV in Toronto, Canada. He was involved in the original SMPTE Digital Video Standards Committee meetings creating CCIR-601 and continues by coordinating activities within the industry for standards groups. Through his domain knowledge working with video and audio, Moote developed several patents and focuses on workflow solutions, new technology, and interoperability. Stan is SMPTE Life Fellow, recipient of the SMPTE Digital Processing Medal Award and a SMPTE Governor-at-large.

Christopher Nichols

Chaos

Christopher Nichols

Christopher Nichols is a veteran of the Visual Effects industry with over three decades of experience in Computer Graphics. He is currently the Director of Special Projects at the Chaos Innovation Lab, where he spearheads cutting-edge initiatives at the intersection of creativity and technology. Christopher also hosts the popular CG Garage podcast, where he engages with industry experts to explore the latest advancements in Computer Graphics.

As part of the Lab, Christopher has been working on integrating ray tracing into virtual production for over a decade, culminating in the development of Chaos’ Project Arena. He served as the producer on Ray Tracing FTW, the first proof of concept for Project Arena, showcasing the transformative potential of this innovative technology.

Christopher holds a BA in Mathematics and Fine Arts from Colgate University and a Master’s in Architecture from Rice University. With a diverse background spanning VFX and Architecture, he has worked for leading firms such as Gensler, Digital Domain, Sony Imageworks, and Method Studios. His film credits include Maleficent, Oblivion, and Tron: Legacy.

Emeka Okoli

Zixi

Emeka Okoli

A Technology and Engineering Emmy Award winner, Emeka Okoli is a passionate advocate of Zixi’s customers and partners as SVP of Strategic Business Development, Emeka plays a key role in driving unique solutions, deployments and business relationships over Zixi’s journey as a leading innovator in the industry. He developed and was integral in driving productization of Zixi-as-a-Service (ZaaS).

Prior to Zixi, Emeka engaged with several charitable organizations and served as CTO and Vice President of Product & Information Systems at WARM2Kids Inc., a charitable foundation where he developed a unique method of broadening technology outreach in inner cities and suburbs across the United States. His model was recognized and achieved significant grants from Microsoft and others. Prior to his charitable work, Emeka facilitated online collaborative services at Polycom as IS Manager and Pre- and Post-Sales Manager at MeetU. Following his tenure early 2000’s at CSC Consulting Index, Emeka co-founded OHC, Inc, a technology advisory group and service provider. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Technology with a master’s degree in management, Information Technology from Northeastern University.

Morgan Prygrocki

Adobe

Morgan Prygrocki

Morgan Prygrocki is a Senior Strategic Development Manager at Adobe, specializing in advancing post-production video workflows for Hollywood and beyond. With over 16 years of experience at the forefront of high-end camera technology and virtual production solutions, Morgan has supported a wide spectrum of productions, including major league sports broadcasts, award-winning films, and globally recognized commercial campaigns. Her expertise lies in bridging cutting-edge technology with creative storytelling, ensuring productions achieve their full potential.

Paulo Rabello

Globo

Paulo Rabello

Paulo Rabello is an electronic and computer engineer with 30 years of hands-on experience in the broadcast and entertainment industry.

He is a member of the Engineering Society of TV in Brazil, holds an MBA in project management and is certified as a Project Management Professional by the Project Management Institute.

Paulo began his career at Globo in 1995 and he has served as Head of Projects & Maintenance Technology and Director of Entertainment Technology Operations, where he led projects for telenovelas and series in 4K and 4K HDR.

Currently, he is the Head of Technology for Media Supply Chain at Globo, overseeing Drama, Shows, Sports, and News.

Jerry Rees

Artificial Individual Intelligence

Jerry Rees

Aii Founding Principal Partner, CBO (Chief Being Officer)
Creative in Residence, Content Delivery & Security Association (CDSA)

Writer / Director of live-action, animation, AR, audio-animatronic and immersive themed entertainment projects, including a record-setting 22 attractions for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney Studios Paris, Disneyland Hong Kong, Tokyo Disneyland and the Disney Cruise Line.

Winner of 4 THEA awards for Disney.

While still in high school, mentored at the Disney Studios under the wing of Eric Larson, one of Walt Disney’s legendary “Nine Old Men.”

Awarded a Disney Scholarship and attended California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts) as Teacher’s Assistant for the now famous inaugural A113 class with such classmates as Brad Bird, John Lasseter and John Musker. Featured in Vanity Fair’s 2014 article “The Class That Roared” with photos by Annie Leibovitz.

Started as a classically trained Disney Feature Animator, but moved into new technologies such as Computer Image Choreography on TRON, and Directing the first official Augmented Reality postage stamp for the US Postal Service and Smithsonian in 2011.

Recruited by Disney as a VP Level Executive R&D Imagineer from 2015 – 2020, designated as the guardian of story, character, emotion and human connection across all emerging technologies. Creative Lead on free-walking autonomous robots and AI companion characters, including the KIWI and D3-O9 projects.

Awarded merit bonus by The Walt Disney Company’s Chairman and CEO Robert Iger, who wrote – “Your contributions to the Company have played a significant role in our success and delivering shareholder value. Thank you for your dedication and hard work this past year. Congratulations.”

DISNEY INVENTOR AWARDS:

Jerry Rees – Filed: 9/17/2019, Publication: 3/18/2021
Artificial Intelligence-Based Roleplaying Experiences Based On User-Selected Scenarios

Jerry Rees – Filed: 5/24/2019, Patent: 2/15/2022
Legged High-Dexterity Self-Balancing Capable Robot Actor

Jerry Rees – Filed: 1/22/2018, Patent: 10/27/2020
Communicative Self-Guided Automation

A fine artist and sculptor, currently pursuing next-gen Avatars, AR, VR and Blended Reality for the masses, with the goal of establishing a new standard of immersive global communication.

Dedicated to bringing “The Illusion of Life” to AI through Aii.

A member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and the Writers Guild of America (WGA), residing and working in Los Angeles.

Best known to many as Writer / Director of “The Brave Little Toaster”.

“We will not win the next technology race with better technology. We will win the next technology race with better philosophy.”
– Jerry Rees

Keith Ritlop

ConvergentDS

Keith Ritlop

Keith Ritlop is a seasoned production and technology leader with over 20 years of experience driving innovation across architecture, AI, cloud computing, security, and digital production workflows. He has led global teams for major companies like NBCUniversal, Amazon Studios, Disney, and Paramount Pictures delivering cutting-edge solutions in content security, VFX, workflow design, software engineering, and AI-based production tools.

Lina Sanchez

Fox Entertainment

Lina Sanchez

Lina is an experienced Post Producer, Producer and Filmmaker at heart. Her visionary perspectives and her ability to work in two different languages and countries have given her the opportunity to work on various prominent and global projects across a variety of formats with studios including Netflix, Disney and Fox Entertainment. Lina, with her passion for storytelling, works everyday to develop and execute projects with the highest standards of quality, with the purpose to inspire people to change the world through audiovisual means.

Lina’s ability to connect with different people and cultures make her a valuable asset to the industry. She currently works as a Marketing Post Producer for Fox Entertainment, and has served as a Co-chair of the Hollywood Professional Association (HPA)’s Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) as well as their Networking, Education and Technology Program (NET), both of which have been designed to offer mentoring, education and community engagement for people of the entertainment industry. She also created a podcast focused on sharing important conversations and skills to navigate the ins and outs of Hollywood, and is currently in the post production phase of her latest short film.

Andy Scade

Pixelogic

Andy Scade

Andy Scade is currently the SVP & General Manager of Pixelogics Digital Cinema and Home Entertainment mastering business. He runs teams and facilities based in Los Angeles, London and Cairo servicing the top tier of content producers and distributors in the M&E space.  He’s spent the last 15 years creating innovative workflows and solutions to support content production and the transition from 35mm to Digital Cinema film distribution. This followed an interesting path to film servicing having previously being a successful recording and mix engineer for many well known singers and bands in the late 90’s and 00’s.

Mark Schubin

HPA Tech Retreat

Mark Schubin

Multiple Emmy-award winning SMPTE Life Fellow Mark Schubin is the world’s greatest expert on the intersecting histories of media technology and opera. He helped create the hotel in-room movie business, the first live nationwide stereo simulcast network, the first live multi-language cinema subtitles, and what was probably the first HDR-to-SDR converter (though no one knew what HDR was at the time). He has worked on moving-image projects on all seven continents (including Antarctica), including news in Kazakhstan, cable TV in Hong Kong, and the television transmission system of Barbados. He also worked on the standardization of the VU meter. His bedroom was an official test site of the ATSC, his paper on aspect ratios was cited by the FCC, and his blog at SchubinCafe.com is archived by the Library of Congress. He once piloted the Fuji blimp and has been known to wear shoes.

Lori H. Schwartz

StoryTech

Lori H. Schwartz

Lori H. Schwartz is a nationally recognized technology catalyst (‘Tech Cat’). As a leading advisor and speaker in marketing and tech innovation, Lori collaborates with top creative and strategic executives of multiple brands, tech, and content companies to ensure their understanding of emerging business models while designing unique experiences to create engagement.

Lori is a CNN Technology Contributor and a frequent speaker at major industry events. She also helps private companies facilitate conversations around new business models and technology innovation. Her StoryTech initiative facilitates communication between storytellers and technology companies. The trend briefings, curation, and tour products have become well known globally through their work @CES, @NAB, and private events. She frequently curates large trade show plenaries and hosts events to help drive conversations around the latest marketing and advertising technology as well as the latest content business models.

Originally from New York, Lori is a long-time resident of the Los Angeles area. She is joined in her life journey by her fifteen-year-old daughter, whose near-instant grasp of new technologies underscores Lori’s quest to help companies and humans enjoy, and grow from the technologies increasingly defining our lives.

Heidi Shakespeare

Memnon Archiving Services

Heidi Shakespeare

Heidi Shakespeare, the CEO of Memnon, is a dynamic leader with over 25 years of experience in driving sales growth across the broadcast and digital archiving industries. Her commitment to innovation has propelled Memnon to the forefront of audiovisual (AV) migration and archiving, positioning the company as a key player in preserving and providing access to the world’s content.

Before taking the helm at Memnon, Heidi held leadership positions at Iron Mountain and Bonded Services Group, where she honed her expertise in managing complex archiving solutions. Her career path is particularly unique, as it also includes a period early in her career spent traveling the world as a trapeze artist, an experience that likely fostered her sense of adventure and resilience.

Under her leadership, Memnon has become known for its cutting-edge approaches to digitizing and preserving valuable audiovisual content, ensuring that critical historical and cultural materials are accessible for generations to come.

David Slade

David Slade

David Slade is an English film director based in Los Angeles. Born in 1969 at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, he initially pursued a career in journalism, focusing on music and subculture.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art and Film, a Master’s degree in Creative Arts, and an honorary Doctorate in Film Studies.

David’s feature films include Hard Candy, 30 Days of Night, and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

His television work includes directing pilots for Hannibal and American Gods, as well as episodes of Breaking Bad, Black Mirror: Metalhead, Bandersnatch, and an upcoming episode in the new season.

In addition to his film and television work, David has directed numerous music videos and commercials for major brands and artists, including Muse, Armani, UNICEF, Aphex Twin, Stone Temple Pilots, System of a Down, and Meta, among many others.

Jeremy Stapleton

NBCUniversal

Jeremy Stapleton

With over 18 years of experience in media and technology, Jeremy Stapleton is a seasoned professional dedicated to leading teams in creating software solutions that drive digital transformation and enhance users’ daily lives. Before joining Universal Pictures, Mr. Stapleton led a global team of software developers at Technicolor, focusing on building and integrating applications in the post-production space.

At NBCUniversal, Mr. Stapleton has been an integral part of the Creative Technologies team, spearheading innovation initiatives related to production cloud adoption. Recently, he has taken on the role of Director of Software Engineering within the NBCUniversal Operations & Technologies team, where he continues to drive technological advancements and innovation.

Jordan Stein

Company 3

Jordan Stein

Global Workflow Manager | Media & Entertainment Technologist | Cloud Optimization Expert

With a BFA in Photography from Parsons School of Design, I began my career as an online editor and colorist, contributing to feature-length films and tv. This foundation in visual storytelling and technical precision deepened my understanding of the creative and technical processes in media production.

As the Global Workflow Manager at Company 3, I specialize in designing and implementing innovative workflows that bridge cloud, hybrid, and on-prem environments. Drawing on my extensive experience in finishing and media production, I focus on workflow optimization, cost management for cloud workloads, and product management to deliver impactful solutions that align with both creative and business goals.

Chris Swan

AWS

Chris Swan

Chris Swan is an Industry Specialist Solutions Architect specializing in Content Production at AWS. His experience spans 20 years across post production for unscripted TV, reality TV, live events and sports. He is passionate about innovation in post production and is a champion for creatives in the Media and Entertainment industry.

Lin Tam

Immix Studios

Lin Tam

Lin Tam  is an award-winning Director, Producer, and Writer celebrated for her pioneering work in animation and technology. A trailblazer in AI Animation, Lin pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in the animation industry. As the Executive Producer and Chief Creative AI Officer at Immix Studios, she has propelled the studio to new heights, producing internationally acclaimed content that masterfully blends AI technology with animation.

Her acclaimed short film, “Friendship,” has garnered international recognition, featured in over 25 esteemed film festivals worldwide. Under her leadership, Immix Studios has significantly boosted its output, setting new benchmarks for AI-integrated content creation.

Lin’s expertise extends across complex product and content development projects. Her portfolio includes cutting-edge work in Generative AI, AR/VR, mobile gaming, and interactive content. Initiatives like Village Roadshow’s Xperience Program and ACMI X underscore her role as an innovator who utilizes emerging technologies to redefine animation and entertainment.

As a distinguished member of the Producers Guild of America and Screen Producers Australia, Lin is a sought-after speaker at events focused on AI in animation and the broader entertainment industry. She has shared her insights at prestigious venues, including the Producers Guild of America, SXSW Sydney, and Screen Forever, inspiring industry peers and enthusiasts alike. Lin’s presentations emphasize her forefront role in merging creative storytelling with technological advancements, shaping the future of entertainment.

Karyn Temple

Motion Picture Association

Karyn Temple

Karyn A. Temple is Senior Executive Vice President and Global General Counsel for the Motion Picture Association. One of the world’s leading authorities on copyright, Ms. Temple oversees all of the Association’s legal affairs and content protection efforts around the world.

Prior to joining the Motion Picture Association, Ms. Temple served more than eight years in the U.S. Copyright Office, most recently as the Register of Copyrights, where she led the 400-person agency and its eight divisions representing law, policy, international affairs, financial operations, registration practice, public records, and outreach and education. In this role, she testified multiple times before both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate and oversaw the Office’s policy and legal activities among others.

Prior to leading the U.S. Copyright Office, Ms. Temple headed its Office of Policy and International Affairs, which includes a staff of attorneys focusing on domestic and international copyright law matters. Ms. Temple served on both U.S. delegations for the most recently adopted WIPO treaties (the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances and the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Public Works for Persons who are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled). Ms. Temple also served in policy and litigation roles at the U.S. Department of Justice, most recently serving in the Obama Administration as Senior Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General of the United States.

Ms. Temple also has extensive private-sector experience. She previously served as Vice President, Litigation and Legal Affairs for the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) where she managed a wide variety of anti-piracy litigation matters on behalf of RIAA member companies. She also spent several years as a litigation associate at the prominent D.C.-based law firm Williams and Connolly LLP. Immediately after law school, Ms. Temple served as a law clerk for The Honorable Nathaniel R. Jones, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Ms. Temple has served in several prominent volunteer positions in the copyright community, including as an elected Trustee for the Copyright Society of the USA, co-chair of the International Chapter of the Copyright Society of the USA, steering committee member of the D.C. Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Law Section, and Chair of the Copyright Committee of the D.C. Bar’s IP Law Section.

Ms. Temple received her J.D. from Columbia University School of Law where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, Senior Editor of the Columbia Law Review, and Chairperson of the Columbia Black Law Students’ Association. She received her B.A. in English from the University of Michigan.

Todd Terrazas

FBRC.ai

Todd Terrazas

Founder of AI LA, the largest AI Community in SoCal since 2016. Co-Founder of FBRC.ai (pronounced ‘fabric’) developing Hollywood X: the next-gen studio system. Professional Nerd Herder.

Brian Tran

Brian Tran

An alum of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Academy Gold program, as well as HPA’s Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) program, Brian initially began his career as a technologist, but his creative flame unexpectedly drew him into entertainment. After taking a course taught by Disney Imagineers, he made his entry through designing museum exhibits, as well as crafting VR/AR/MR/XR experiences, including at Dreamscape Immersive, alongside former Imagineers. He soon found himself in themed entertainment, guiding production for a variety of location-based immersive experiences, including media for attractions at Super Nintendo World, which introduced him to collaborating with digital artists and animators. The excitement and enthusiasm he carried away from that collaboration led him to fully immerse himself in VFX and animation, most recently facilitating the production of visualization for feature and series projects, including Black Adam (2022), The Flash (2023), and Blue Beetle (2023), among other as yet unreleased titles, as well as a 2D animated short, bé hồng (Little Persimmon) (2024), as part of Asians in Animation’s inaugural Animation Industry Immersive Lab program.

A proud proponent of DEIB initiatives and supporter of diverse voices, he is committed to championing authentic, inclusive, and immersive storytelling by empowering artists and creators to explore and push the boundaries of media content (especially animation) to achieve truth.

Thomas True

NVIDIA

Thomas True

Thomas True is a senior applied engineer for media workflows in NVIDIA’s Enterprise Products Group. In this role he works at the intersection of live media and the Graphics Processing Unit(GPU) where he focuses on the integration of GPU processing and network transport technologies into broadcast, video and film applications ranging from pre-visualization to post production and live to air. Thomas has a M.S. degree in Computer Science from Brown University in Providence, RI and a B.S. Degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY.

Karol Urban

Karol Urban

Karol Urban, CAS, MPSE, NATAS, has provided essential support to directors and producers as a re-recording mixer and sound designer since 1999. Initially concentrating on documentaries in Washington, D.C., she relocated to Los Angeles, where she now mixes both episodic and feature content. She characterizes her role as “playing mind games with sound,” reflecting her innovative approach to sound design.

Karol is an active and dedicated advocate of her professional community. She has served on the Television Academy’s Governor’s Peer Group for Sound Mixing and organized for LA Sound Group. In addition, she has participated as a blue-ribbon panel judge for the Motion Picture Sound Editors Golden Reel Awards and has mentored through America Rise. Most recently, she has joined the board for MPEG 700. Furthermore, Karol has acted as the content editor for the CAS Quarterly and has been a board member of the Cinema Audio Society for over a decade, culminating in her tenure as President from 2019 to 2023. She is committed to educational outreach and moderates and participates in panels and mentoring initiatives for prominent events such as Mix’s Sound for Film Event, EIPMA, MPSE, Soundgirls, WAM, UCLA, and The Academy Gold Program.

Her recent credits include distinguished works such as “Tiny Beautiful Things”, “National Treasure: Edge of History”, “Loki”, “Echo”, and “Say Nothing”.

Angela Victor

Angela Victor

Angela Victor brings extensive experience in production, post production, and VFX within the entertainment industry. With a proven ability to deliver complex projects on time and within budget, she has contributed to live events, scripted streaming and cable episodic content, unscripted series, independent feature films, and VFX trailers.

Beyond hands-on production expertise, Angela has a background in strategic planning and consulting for network and cable television, offering a unique perspective on industry trends and audience engagement. She earned an MBA with a focus on finance and marketing and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt in Process Redesign, achieved through General Electric’s training while at NBC TV Network. Angela combines creative insights with data-driven strategies to drive innovation and efficiency in entertainment projects.

Angela looks forward to sharing her expertise as a panelist, contributing to a meaningful discussion on The Art of Cost-Effective Techniques for High-End Productions.

Rachel Joy Victor

FBRC.ai

Rachel Joy Victor

Rachel Joy Victor is the co-founder of FBRC.AI, a company focused on creating AI-supported tools for the future of content production–from films to games to location-based experiences. Rachel’s work as a designer, strategist, and worldbuilder for emerging technologies (XR/AI/web3) focuses on creating narrative, brand, and product experiences. She draws from her education in computational neuroscience and spatial economics to facilitate the creation of data-informed emergent experiences. Rachel’s clients have included Disney, HBO, Technicolor, Vans, Ford, Nike, Havas, Meow Wolf, Niantic, and many more. She is passionate about making technology accessible and has provided executive education for leading companies like Warner Brothers, NBCUniversal, Activision, UGG, and Red Bull–in addition to being a keynote speaker at leading industry events.

Chris Vienneau

MovieLabs

Chris Vienneau

Chris Vienneau is a senior leader with over 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry. He has developed tools and services for renowned companies such as Disney, Electronic Arts, and Google. Throughout his career, he has managed market-leading tools like Maya, FBX, and Arnold. He has also been involved in groundbreaking projects such as Bifrost, ShaderX, and Arnold GPU, and he holds several authored patents. He has overseen partnerships with major companies including Apple, Adobe, and Nvidia. More recently he has been working with MovieLabs and their 2030 vision and runs his own data as a service company FX-DMZ.

Erik Weaver

Erik Weaver

Entertainment Technology Center at USC

Erik Weaver

Erik Weaver is a producer, architect, and speaker specializing in the intersection of cloud technology and the media & entertainment (M&E) industry. He currently leads Virtual & Adaptive production projects at the University of Southern California’s Entertainment Technology Center (ETC), including work on ICVFX and Virtual Production. Weaver has held leadership roles, such as overseeing Global M&E Strategy for Western Digital and spearheading ETC’s “Production in the Cloud” initiative. He has also been an executive producer on several notable projects, including The Suitcase (CAA People’s Choice Award, Tribeca 2017) and Wonder Buffalo (SXSW Interactivity competition). His work has earned Emmy nominations and involves cutting-edge technologies like HDR, cloud workflows, and volumetric capture. Additionally, Weaver has chaired multiple industry events and contributed to standards groups like SMPTE C4 MR30, educating the M&E industry on data management and technology integration.

Kiera Williams

Kettle

Kiera Williams

Kiera Williams is a purpose-driven filmmaker and creative strategist at Kettle, where she merges storytelling with digital-first strategies to create impactful narratives.

A seasoned collaborator, Kiera has contributed to award-winning projects in roles such as Impact Producer for There Goes the Neighborhood and the PBS documentary 93QUEEN, and as Cinematographer on the feature An Introduction to Thribing. She has also served as Assistant Director on bilingual international films Alone Alone Alone on a Wide Wide Sea and Key Lime Pie.

Her filmmaking explores themes of grief, mental health, reconciliation, and spiritual freedom. Kiera’s work has earned her accolades like the Oxford Centre for Fantasy Writing Fellowship and a spot in the Soho House Creative Mentorship Program.

Kiera previously worked at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, where she championed rising filmmakers through Academy Gold’s social channels and managed the Academy’s platforms during the 96th Oscars. Her storytelling philosophy inspires audiences to reflect deeply on their own lives and purpose.

As a speaker, Kiera has shared her insights on storytelling and production at prominent events such as the Bloomberg Screentime Conference in Los Angeles and the Moving Picture Institute’s Intern Summit.

Whether on set or on stage, Kiera is committed to making stories accessible and meaningful, empowering underrepresented voices in every corner of the industry.

Walter Woodman

Shy Kids

Walter Woodman

shy kids began as a collaboration between three friends and has blossomed into a small but versatile production company specializing in writing, directing, animation, editing, and sound. They describe their style as “Punk Rock Pixar,” with work noted for it’s unique ability to bring humanity out of tech obsessed world. Recently their film “air head” was one of the first selected to use OpenAI’s revolutionary model Sora.

Starry Ye

Kelly Galindo Productions

Starry Ye

Starry Ye is a professional documentary filmmaker based in L.A. Graduated from Dodge College of Film & Media Arts at Chapman University, Starry started her journey with CNN. She contributed to producing three true crime docu-series for CNN’s Headline News and two high-profile and nationally televised trials for CNN’s special live coverages: The Killing of Ahmaud Arbery and The Kyle Rittenhouse Trial. These experiences not only honed her journalistic approach, but also sharpened her research and investigative skills, including analyzing complex case materials and sourcing archival footage.

In 2022, Starry worked in post-production on the Emmy-nominated Netflix docu-series The Andy Warhol Diaries. She later joined the team of NBCUniversal’s The End Is Nye, collaborating with Bill Nye on science-focused storytelling. In Starry’s filmmaking journey, she has participated in both production and post-production of documentaries and scripted shows with CNN, Netflix, NBCUniversal, and award-winning independent documentaries, combining creative vision with meticulous research and storytelling.

Most recently, Starry worked on multiple Emmy-winning Netflix shows, including John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in L.A. She is also a National Member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the Visual Effects Society (VES).

2025 Tech Retreat Participating Companies

  1. 3 Ball Entertainment
  2. 6P Color, Inc
  3. 8K Association
  4. Absen
  5. Adobe
  6. AJA Video Systems
  7. ALT Systems, Inc.
  8. Amazon AWS
  9. Amazon MGM Studios
  10. Amazon Studios
  11. AMD
  12. Annex Pro Inc
  13. AOTO
  14. Archive & Preservation Consulting
  15. ARRI
  16. Artificial Individual Intelligence
  17. Asher XR
  18. Aurora Borealis Consulting
  19. Austin PBS
  20. Autodesk
  21. Avid Technology
  22. AWS UK
  23. Backlight
  24. Barco
  25. BIND Studio
  26. Bitpress
  27. Blackmagic Design
  28. Bloomberg
  29. Bria AI
  30. Bubble Agency
  31. Cambridge Research
  32. Canon USA
  33. castLabs
  34. Chaos
  35. CHESA
  36. Chesapeake Systems
  37. Christie Digital Systems
  38. CineCert Inc.
  39. Cinesys
  40. Cinnafilm
  41. Cobalt Digital Inc.
  42. Colorfront
  43. ConvergentDS
  44. Corser
  45. CUNY TV
  46. Curious Refuge
  47. Dalet
  48. Dalet Digital Media Systems
  49. Data Expedition, Inc.
  50. Deepdub
  51. Dell Technologies
  52. Deloitte Consulting
  53. Deluxe
  54. Deluxe Media
  55. Department of Defense
  56. Digital Bedrock
  57. Disguise
  58. Disguise Systems Inc
  59. Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
  60. DPP
  61. EditHero
  62. EIZO Inc.
  63. Electric Sheep
  64. Eluvio
  65. Entertainment Technologists Inc
  66. Entertainment Technology Center – USC Cinematic Arts
  67. European Broadcasting Union
  68. Evercast
  69. Evertz Microsystems
  70. EVL/UIC
  71. FBRC
  72. Fielding Graduate University
  73. FilmLight
  74. Final Draft
  75. Flanders Scientific, Inc.
  76. Flawless
  77. Fonn Group
  78. Foundry
  79. Fox Entertainment Group, Inc.
  80. Fraunhofer DMT USA
  81. Fraunhofer IIS
  82. Garden Studios
  83. GB Labs
  84. General Intelligence
  85. Geoffrey Tully Inc
  86. Google
  87. Google Cloud
  88. Grass Valley
  89. Gunpowder
  90. HardingFPA
  91. HBO
  92. HP
  93. I2A2 Technologies, Studios & Labs
  94. IABM
  95. Imax Corporation
  96. Immix
  97. Integrated Media Technologies, Inc.
  98. Interra Systems, Inc.
  99. Iodyne Pro Data
  100. ISO
  101. Kettle
  102. Kibo121
  103. KNAV Navajo Television Channel
  104. Leica Geosystems
  105. LG Electronics
  106. Lightcraft Technology Inc.
  107. Light Iron
  108. LucidLink
  109. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
  110. MAX Post
  111. MediaBridge Capital Advisors
  112. Memnon Archive Services
  113. Microsoft Production Studios
  114. Miris
  115. Mobile TV Group
  116. Motion Picture Solutions
  117. MovieLabs
  118. MPA
  119. MSB
  120. MySavepoint
  121. NAGRAVISION
  122. NantStudios
  123. Nat Geo Content – Disney Entertainment
  124. NBC Sports NEXT
  125. NBCUniversal
  126. Nebraska Public Media
  127. Netflix
  128. Nextera Video
  129. NVIDIA
  130. Office of Reid Hoffman
  131. Open Drives
  132. Outtahand Displays
  133. Paramount Global
  134. Paramount Pictures
  135. PB Technologies Group LLC
  136. Perfect Memory
  137. Perforce
  138. Perifery
  139. Picture Shop
  140. Pip Studios
  141. Podlabs Technologies Pvt Ltd
  142. postPerspective
  143. Prima Lumina
  144. Prime Focus Technologies Inc.
  145. ProdPro
  146. Projective
  147. Protege Media
  148. Puget Systems
  149. Quickture
  150. RED
  151. Remoto
  152. Residence Pictures
  153. RheinMain University
  154. Rohde & Schwarz USA, Inc
  155. Ross Video
  156. SandTech
  157. Sand Technologies
  158. Savepoint
  159. Scriptation
  160. Seidel Media Technology
  161. SDVI
  162. Seagate Technology LLC
  163. Shy Kids
  164. SideFX
  165. Signiant
  166. SipRadius
  167. Skywalker Sound
  168. SMPTE
  169. Sohonet
  170. Sony Electronics
  171. Sony Music
  172. Sony Pictures
  173. Sony Pictures Entertainment
  174. Spectra Logic
  175. SRI International
  176. Storj
  177. StoryTech
  178. StoryXcel
  179. Strada
  180. Strategic Perspective Consulting
  181. Studio Momo
  182. Studio Network Solutions
  183. SVG
  184. Tech Align Group
  185. Telestream
  186. The Rebel Fleet
  187. The Studio-B&H
  188. Trackit.io
  189. Trusted Partner Network (TPN)
  190. Tsecond
  191. Tunnel Inc
  192. Tunnel Post
  193. TV Technology
  194. Twelve Labs
  195. UHD Alliance
  196. Universal Filmed Entertainment
  197. Universal Pictures
  198. Universal Studio Group
  199. Utah Scientific
  200. Variety
  201. Variety VIP+
  202. Venera Technologies Inc.
  203. Veritone
  204. VidOvation Corporation
  205. V-Nova Services Ltd
  206. V-Nova Studios
  207. Walt Disney Studios
  208. Warner Bros. Discovery
  209. WEKA
  210. WildAcre Company
  211. WorkIT Solutions
  212. Xytech Systems LLC
  213. Yamdu
  214. ZEISS Group
  215. Zixi

Our Sponsors

Marquee Sponsor

Stage Sponsor

HPA Tech Retreat 30th Anniversary Party Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Silver Screen Sponsor

Behind The Scenes (BTS) Sponsor

Event Sponsors

Welcome Activities Sponsors

Foundation Members

Media Partners

Innovation Zone

HPA invites individuals and companies to share new and innovative technology with the participants of the HPA Tech Retreat®. The Innovation Zone is where attendees can discover your company’s NEW technology in a space designed for learning and discovery.


Innovation Zone Participants

  • Absen
  • Adobe
  • AMD
  • AOTO
  • Autodesk
  • Avid Technology
  • AWS
  • BIND Studio
  • Bitpress
  • Blackmagic Design
  • Bria AI
  • Canon USA
  • castLabs
  • Cerio.io
  • Chaos
  • CineCert Inc.
  • Colorfront
  • Colourlab AI
  • Deepdub
  • EditHero, Inc.
  • EIZO Inc.
  • Electric Sheep
  • Eluvio
  • Evercast
  • Evertz Microsystems
  • FilmLight
  • Flanders Scientific, Inc.
  • Flawless
  • GBLabs
  • HP
  • LG Electronics
  • Lightcraft Technology
  • LucidLink
  • Mimir (Fonn Group)
  • Miris
  • NAGRAVISION
  • Perfect Memory
  • Perifery
  • Playbook 3D
  • Puget Systems
  • Quickture
  • SandTech
  • Savepoint
  • Scriptation
  • Signiant
  • Sohonet
  • SONY Electronics
  • SRI International
  • Storj
  • Strada
  • Studio Network Solutions
  • The Studio-B&H
  • Tunnel Inc
  • Twelve Labs
  • V-Nova Studios
  • WEKA
  • Yamdu

Listings With Descriptions



General Information & Pricing

Innovation Zone requirements:

Your demonstration must reflect technology that is innovative, game changing and important to entertainment markets including production, post production, broadcast, distribution, OTTs or related areas. It must provide the attendees with solution(s) that are unique and, if possible, demonstrate integrated workflows for distinctive services. Experimental products and new concepts or products are of particular interest. Start ups or creative solutions are most welcome.

You may bring secondary partners to be part of your space and demonstration if it fits within a complete solution that can differentiate the workflow or delivery process from what is available today.

Service companies and solutions providers who have unique, forward thinking offerings in production, post production, broadcast, distribution, OTT’s or a related area are invited to participate.

To apply, submit a description of what you would like to demonstrate for vetting purposes. Click here for the Application Form.


General Information:

The Innovation Zone is a meeting and networking area which will be open during conference hours as well as dedicated times. Refer to the program online (when available) for actual times.

You are not required to be present at your demo for the entire run of conference, except during the dedicated demo times listed in the Tech Retreat Innovation Zone schedule below. Additionally, you are free to make appointments during any open hours.

We encourage Tech Retreat Innovation Zone participants to invite clients, other individuals within your company and interested industry professionals to register and visit you at the HPA Tech Retreat. However, please note that there are no guest passes to attend just the Innovation Zone. All attendees must be registered through the Tech Retreat registration site.

 


Innovation Zone Space Fees:

$4,000 – for HPA Corporate Members (One (1) All-Access Conference Ticket)

$4,500 – for Non-Members (One (1) All-Access Conference Ticket)

One (1) Innovation Zone space includes:

  • One (1) 8’x10′ space, one 6′ table, two chairs, black tablecloth, and one 20 amp power drop*
  • 18″x24″ sign for booth that includes logo and contact information
  • Opportunity to interact with key players in the M&E community
  • One (1) All-Access Conference Ticket
  • Innovation Zone participants can purchase up to two (2) IZ Tech tickets for staff at the rate of $1,495 (includes all scheduled meals and Thursday conference access)

*Each space includes one table, two chairs (additional table and chairs available on a limited basis, fees apply), and one 20 amp power drop. Additional power, internet, furniture, AV, power strips and other equipment can be ordered through the hotel. Contact us for details.

Innovation Zone Space Fees are Non-Refundable.


Space Information:

The Innovation Zone is one large ballroom. You may apply for more than one space if you have more than one technology to present. An additional fee will apply and this space will be provided on an availability basis.

If you have something that requires a separate space, we may be able to provide this on a “limited engagement” basis. Please contact us at innovation.zone@hpaonline.com. Please note that an additional fee will apply.

Please note that an exhibit booth, bar-type unit or anything that will block full view or limit accessibility to the spaces around you are not permitted. A small cove for monitors, racks, and stands, if they don’t block a view, will most likely be permitted.

One pull-up type banner (maximum 3’x7′) will be permitted per space providing it does NOT contain marketing, pricing or sales pitches. Custom backdrops are not allowed.

Click here for booth setup guidelines.

If there’s a question about this, please contact us at innovation.zone@hpaonline.com.

Select additional furniture (e.g. high boy table, high stools) may be ordered through the hotel vendor.

A/V equipment may be ordered through the hotel vendor.

Links to all forms will be provided upon acceptance of your demo.

If your application is accepted you will be sent further information including access to pay for your Innovation Zone space.

Confirmation of your space in the Innovation Zone is a commitment to have your demonstration set up from Monday through Wednesday according to the times listed in the Program.

While your Innovation Zone demo does not need to be staffed at all times, there are specific times within the program during which Innovation Zone Staff is required to be present. All persons staffing your demo MUST have a valid ticket for the event. Approved and paid Innovation Zone space includes one full conference ticket. Any additional staff or attendees must purchase a Tech Retreat ticket.

Please contact events@hpaonline.com with any registration-related questions.

The HPA Tech Retreat has a number of Press attending. Press are requested to respect your wishes to be off-the-record or enter into an NDA, but you will need to arrange this directly with them. It is not required as part of HPA issuing a Press Pass.

Innovation Zone Schedule

(All times are Pacific, subject to change)

Innovation Zone open Monday through Wednesday during the Tech Retreat

Saturday, February 15

  • 12:00pm
    Begin load in of equipment to the hotel
  • 6:00pm
    Set up concludes for the evening

Sunday, February 16

  • 8:00 am
    Begin load in of equipment to the hotel
  • 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
    Innovation Zone opens for set up
  • 8:00pm
    All setup and clean up must be complete

Monday, February 17

  • 7:00 am – 8:00 am
    Final time for arrival and set up of demos at the hotel
  • 8:30 am
    Set up of demos must be complete
  • 9:30 am – 7:00 pm
    Innovation Zone is open

Tuesday, February 18

  • 8:30 am – 7:15 pm
    Innovation Zone is open (concurrent with sessions, booth does not need to be staffed at all times)
  • 12:30 pm – 1:15 pm
    Innovation Zone will be open during lunch
  • 6:00 pm – 7:15 pm
    Innovation Zone Cocktail Reception (sponsorships available)

Wednesday, February 19

  • 8:30 am – 8:30 pm
    Innovation Zone open
  • 6:00 – 8:00 pm
    Innovation Zone Cocktail Reception (sponsorships available)
  • 8:30 – 10:00 pm
    Innovation Zone break down.

Thursday, February 20

  • 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
    Innovation Zone break down. If anything is left until Friday, arrangements must be made directly with the hotel for storage and a fee may be charged.

  • All applications will be reviewed and vetted based on meeting the intent and focus of the Innovation Zone.
  • Approved applications will pay $4,000 for HPA Corporate Members or $4,500 for Non Members for a single Innovation Zone space and full conference registration for one person.

  • The 2025 HPA Tech Retreat will be an in person event from February 16-20.
  • All applications will be reviewed and vetted based on meeting the intent and focus of the Innovation Zone.
  • HPA Corporate Members – $4,000 (includes One (1) All-Access Conference Ticket)
  • Non-Members – $4,500 (includes One (1) All-Access Conference Ticket)
  • Applications will be accepted until space is filled.
  • To apply, submit a description of what you would like to demonstrate for vetting purposes. Click here for the Application Form.

One (1) Innovation Zone space includes:

  • One (1) 8×10 space, one 6′ table, two chairs, black tablecloth, and one 20 amp power drop*
  • 18″x24″ sign for booth that includes logo and contact information
  • Opportunity to interact with key players in the M&E community
  • One (1) All-Access Conference Ticket
  • Innovation Zone participants can purchase up to two (2) Innovation Zone Tech tickets for staff at the rate of $1,495 (includes all scheduled meals and Thursday conference access)

*Each space includes one table, two chairs (additional table and chairs available on a limited basis, fees apply), and one 20 amp power drop. Additional power, internet, furniture, AV, power strips and other equipment can be ordered through the hotel. Contact us for details.

 

Pricing

Attendees are responsible for making their own hotel reservations. Registration fees for the Tech Retreat do not include hotel accommodations. Payment in full is due at time of registration.

HPA is committed to your health, safety, and comfort while attending the HPA Tech Retreat. Please read our Event Policy before registering, and do not hesitate to contact us at hpa@hpaonline.com with any questions or concerns.

HPA Corporate Members
Individuals who are inheriting members of a corporate membership can take advantage of discounted Tech Retreat registration. Please be sure to register using your company email address to receive the discount. Click here for detail on how to sign up as an inheriting member or Become a Member to secure your spot!


HPA Tech Retreat Event
February 16 – 20, 2025

(All listed dates and pricing subject to change)

Inclusive Member-Only Package
Inclusive member-only package includes all-access registration plus a deluxe room with a golf course/pool view and HPA welcome amenity. Limited inventory. If sold out, please contact us to be placed on a waitlist.

Inclusive Member-Only Package (Sun-Thu)
HPA Members $4,095

HPA Golf Tournament – Sunday, February 16
Includes Green fees, cart rental, box lunch, two drink tickets, and prizes. Must be registered for the Tech Retreat to purchase.

HPA Golf Tournament (Sun)
Single Ticket $220
Foursome $880

HPA Tech Retreat Registration
This conference registration includes: All provided meals, admission to the Innovation Zone, all conference sessions and social events. Sunday Golf Tournament requires separate registration.

All-Access Registration (Sun-Thu)
HPA Members $2,195
Non-Members $2,795
Tech Retreat Speakers, Panel Moderators and Panelists Contact Us
Credentialed Press Contact Us

Registration By Day

Monday, February 17 – Thursday, February 20, 2025
These registration options include: All provided meals, admission to the Innovation Zone and Conference Sessions for the day(s) selected, and admission to the Conference Dinner (Tuesday registration only), and Innovation Zone Cocktail Reception (Wednesday registration only).
One Day Registration
HPA Members $1,295
Non-Members $1,575

 

Innovation Zone

Innovation Zone Space fee includes one All-Access conference registration. Visitors must be registered for the one of the following packages: All-Access, Registration by Day (Mon-Wed), or Wednesday Evening Innovation Zone Cocktail Reception. There are no complimentary passes.

Accepted Innovation Zone companies are limited to two Innovation Zone Tech registrations per space. Innovation Zone Tech Registration includes access to the Innovation Zone and all included meals Monday through Wednesday, admission to the Tuesday Evening Conference Dinner and Thursday conference access.

Innovation Zone Space (Includes 1 All-Access Conference Registration)
HPA Corporate Members $4,000
Non-Members $4,500
Innovation Zone Tech Registration (includes all scheduled meals and Thursday conference access)
Innovation Zone Tech (Limit 2 per space) $1,495
Innovation Zone Space Fees are Non-Refundable.

Please be advised that space is limited and always sells out.

 

Registration Terms

Please read our Event Policy before registering. You may pay by credit card in U.S. dollars only. If there are circumstances which prevent you from completing a registration, please contact our office. See registration form for complete payment information.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

Cancellations made by January 23, 2025 will be refunded, less a 10% cancellation fee.

NO REFUNDS FOR CANCELLATIONS AFTER January 23, 2025. However, you may transfer a registration to another individual. No fee will be charged for transferred registrations provided the new registrant is of the same registration type (Member or Non-Member). If the new registrant is of a different registration type, the difference in price will apply.

In the event that a government restriction prevents attendance, we will provide a refund minus the cancellation fees mentioned above.

For questions or additional information contact: HPA at events@hpaonline.com or 818-273-1482.


Hotel/Travel

The HPA Tech Retreat will take place February 16-20, 2025 at The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, CA.

Nestled on 360 acres in Rancho Mirage, the resort is a desert oasis located moments from Palm Springs. Rugged mountains and panoramic views set an extraordinary backdrop for an unforgettable experience.

HPA is buying out the hotel. Rooms will be available exclusively to Tech Retreat attendees.


How to Book Your Room


The room block is now closed and we are accepting wait list requests.

 

Limited All-Inclusive registrations, which include a hotel room for 4 nights are still available. Click here to register or join the room waitlist below.



Event Hotel

The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa
71333 Dinah Shore Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
http://www.marriott.com
Main Telephone: 1-877-253-0041

Room Rate

HPA has secured a discounted room rate for registered attendees of $324 per night (includes a $38 per night resort fee) plus applicable taxes.

*Please note room reservations can only be made with a valid Tech Retreat registration.

The resort fee covers several amenities, which include (subject to change):

  • Premium High Speed Wi-Fi access in Guest Rooms & Public Space
  • Meeting Room Wi-Fi access (for general browsing)
  • Two Bowling Games at Pinz & Pints
  • In-Room Bottled Water
  • Access to Little Links Miniature Golf Course
  • Access to Pete Dye Golf Practice Facility (Rental clubs not included)
  • Access to Westin Workout Fitness Studio
  • Two-hour bike rental per stay for up to 2 guests
  • Invitation to Sweets Social Hour Daily

Other hotel options:

Courtyard Palm Desert

Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage

The Westin Mission Hills Resort Villas

Find other Marriott Options here.


Directions & Transportation

Southwest Airlines is Pleased to Offer
HPA Tech Retreat Attendees Discounted Fares

Book Via SWABIZ

Discount valid for travel 2/13/2025 to 2/23/2025.

In addition to discounted rates for HPA, travelers who book through us will receive an additional 50% in Southwest Bonus Points.

United Airlines is Pleased to Offer
HPA Tech Retreat Attendees Discounted Fares

Book Using Code ZQGG150458

Discount valid for travel 2/13/2025 to 2/23/2025.

To make flight reservations please use promotion code: ZQGG150458
MileagePlus members earn valuable miles for their travel when using the code.
Booking fees are waived for reservations using the code.
International customers may contact their local United Reservation Desk.

The Westin Rancho Mirage is located 7 miles from Palm Springs International Airport, 130 miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), 77 miles from Ontario Airport, 130 miles from Burbank Airport and 116 miles east of Los Angeles if driving. For driving directions, please click here. Or, For those of you who use GPS or Google Earth, the coordinates: 33.81021715293067 North, 116.41294168768748 West.

Shuttle Companies

Taxi Companies

There are also a large number of limo, town car and private shuttle options. The full listing of available ground transportation from the airport can be found here.


For More Local Area Information, Please Click Here.


FAQ

1. What makes the HPA Tech Retreat unique?

The HPA Tech Retreat – now in its 30th year – is different. It’s a real retreat.  We ask world-class leaders in engineering, technology, creativity, and business to turn away from their day-to-day routines and gather to explore and experience the most compelling topics around the creation, management, and dissemination of content. This kind of focused, authentic discussion between experts happens nowhere else. 

Ideas are explored and debated – not just during onstage presentations, but throughout the event, from the golf tournament to breakfast roundtables and dinners, all the way through to nightcaps.  

Plus – for the second year, the Tech Retreat is taking over the hotel – so everyone you meet will be part of the conference, making networking easy.  

And we are having a fun day on Sunday – golf, yoga and pickleball – so come early! 

2. How do I submit a conference proposal?

The request for conference and roundtable proposals opened August 1. It will remain open until the program is completed, or the roundtables are filled. For more information on submitting, click here.  

3. Who is Mark Schubin?

Multiple Emmy-award winning SMPTE Life Fellow Mark Schubin is the world’s greatest expert on the intersecting histories of media technology and opera. He helped create the hotel in-room movie business, the first live nationwide stereo simulcast network, the first live multi-language cinema subtitles, and what was probably the first HDR-to-SDR converter (though no one knew what HDR was at the time). He has worked on moving-image projects on all seven continents (including Antarctica), including news in Kazakhstan, cable TV in Hong Kong, and the television transmission system of Barbados. He also worked on the standardization of the VU meter. His bedroom was an official test site of the ATSC, his paper on aspect ratios was cited by the FCC, and his blog at SchubinCafe.com is archived by the Library of Congress.

4. What are breakfast roundtables?

The breakfast roundtables are topical discussions during the breakfast hour – one topic per table.  

They are one of the most popular aspects of the retreat.  Roundtables start at 7:30am, when breakfast begins. Each table has a number which corresponds to a posted list of topics and moderators. 

Proposals must be submitted directly by their proposed table moderators. Once the maximum number of tables is reached, no more will be accepted. Note: No more than one roundtable per organization per day; more only if tables aren’t all claimed on the day. 

Moderators may choose any topic and run the roundtables as they see fit. They may present information, gather information from those at the table, or simply moderate discussions among other attendees.  

All breakfast roundtable moderators must be registered for the Retreat and there is no Retreat registration discount conveyed by moderating a breakfast roundtable.  

Proposals should be submitted to proposals@hpaonline.com. 

5. Health & Safety

HPA is committed to your health, safety, and comfort while attending the HPA Tech Retreat. Please read our Event Policy before registering, and do not hesitate to contact us at hpa@hpaonline.com with any questions or concerns.

In the event of any health concerns during the event, health and safety personnel will be available onsite. Please check-in with the Registration counter for assistance.

6. What are the refund policies if I registered and cannot attend?

Cancellations made by January 23, 2025 will be refunded, less a 10% cancellation fee.  

NO REFUNDS FOR CANCELLATIONS AFTER January 23, 2025. However, you may transfer a registration to another individual. No fee will be charged for transferred registrations provided the new registrant is of the same registration type (Member or Non-Member). If the new registrant is of a different registration type, the difference in price will apply. 

In the event that a government restriction prevents attendance, we will provide a refund minus the cancellation fees mentioned above. 

For questions or additional information contact HPA at events@hpaonline.com or (818) 273-1482. 

7. This is my first time at the HPA Tech Retreat, what should I plan for?

Click here for handy tips and tricks for first time conference attendees.

Innovation Zone Listings

The following companies have provided descriptions for the technology they will be bringing. More to come!

Absen

AbsenLive Pixel Reality Series
Elevate your virtual production workflow with Absen’s Pixel Reality (PR) Series, now powered by the cutting-edge Deepsky processor. Designed for filmmakers, broadcasters, and content creators, the PR Series delivers ultra-fine pixel pitch, exceptional color accuracy, and industry-leading performance, making it the ultimate solution for LED volume and in-camera VFX.
Engineered with high refresh rates, low latency, and advanced grayscale processing, the PR Series ensures seamless visual fidelity, eliminating scan lines and flicker for pristine, true-to-life imagery. When paired with the Deepsky processor, this LED platform unlocks enhanced dynamic range, precise color calibration, and AI-powered image optimization, providing unparalleled realism and creative flexibility.
The PR Series also features HDR support, frame synchronization, and customizable LED panel configurations, allowing studios to build scalable, immersive virtual environments with perfect color consistency across the entire display. Whether used for extended reality (XR) stages, virtual sets, or high-end broadcast applications, the Pixel Reality Series redefines the possibilities of LED-driven storytelling.
Discover how Absen’s PR Series with Deepsky processing can transform your production pipeline at HPA Tech Retreat—where innovation meets cinematic excellence.

Adobe

AI has revolutionized video editing by automating tedious tasks and streamlining workflows like never before. Join Adobe as they introduce you to the latest AI-powered features and tools in Adobe Premiere Pro and how you can leverage them in post-production. Plus, learn how the introduction of Frame.io Version 4 and new Camera to Cloud partnerships are accelerating video workflows for productions and creative teams around the world.

Among the many features you’ll be introduced to include how to:

  • Quickly search and organize vast amounts of footage using natural language
  • Meet the challenges of content delivery in multiple languages
  • Search through specific shots and scenes quickly by using automatic transcription and keywords
  • Get the shot you imagined (but didn‚Äôt shoot with your camera) using Generative Extend
  • Enhance your video and audio content so it looks and sounds its best
  • Manage all of your media, stakeholders, and feedback in one location to create and deliver high-quality video projects faster with Frame.io
  • Accelerate the path from production to post with secure media uploads directly from your camera with Camera to Cloud.

AMD

AMD will be demonstrating its all-AMD reference architecture for in-camera VFX (ICVFX) developed in conjunction with Epic Games and Qube Cinema.
This new architecture features Qube Forge render nodes built with AMD GPUs & CPUs synchronized efficiently with Matrox ST2110 NICs, also powered by AMD FPGAs. This is a significant development as it brings choice to ICVFX, previously limited to a single GPU vendor with a proprietary sync solution.
Qube Forge is a scalable, on-prem, software-defined, cost-effective computing platform for virtual production, and a universal accelerator for media and AI workloads, leveraging the latest in AMD GPU and AI acceleration technologies.
This breakthrough was made possible by standing up an ICVFX testbed at Qube Cinema’s lab in LA. The testbed, underpinned by interoperability and open standards, has garnered contributions from a diverse array of partners, including Arista, Blackmagic Design, Evertz, LG, Megapixel, Meinberg, Netgear, Red Digital, and Supermicro.
The architecture recently reached a major milestone where it was utilized for producing a large number of product videos in just 2 days, for a prominent consumer brand. This engagement provided clear validation that the solution is ready for production, delivering final pixels, at scale.

Autodesk

Autodesk Flow is the industry cloud for media and entertainment built on Autodesk’s Design and Make Platform. It will connect workflows, data, and teams across the entire production lifecycle from earliest concept to final delivery.

  • Flow Production Tracking bridges the gap between production management and the creative process, empowering studios to track every step of projects through the pipeline and maximize resources. Flow Generative Scheduling (now included with Flow Production Tracking) accelerates the creation of production schedules with constantly shifting project variables like deadlines, budgets, and team availability. In a fraction of the time previously required, teams can now compare multiple schedule scenarios, evaluate tradeoffs, and create resource-optimized and balanced schedules for even the most complex projects.
  • Flow Capture breaks down barriers between on-set and post-production workflows, enabling teams to review footage seconds after capture and get immediate feedback from stakeholders. This year, we reimagined Flow Capture’s user experience, making it easier to find, access, and review media. We’re also combining it with the executive review experience of PIX (acquired in March) and we’ve added a Flow Capture panel in Avid, allowing editors to bring footage directly into Avid and effortlessly pull cuts and timelines back into Flow Capture.

Avid Technology

Enhance your editing speed and productivity with Media Composer®. Recent and continuing updates include the AI-powered, PhraseFind and ScriptSync. These highly acclaimed speech-to-text toolsets have been further optimized in both functionality and performance.

Utilize the Media Composer® Panel Software Development Kit (SDK) to incorporate a broader array of custom and third-party applications, services, and libraries into the video editing user experience of Media Composer®. With this advancement, Avid’s technology partners and customers have the flexibility to enhance their workflows by accessing, creating, and seamlessly integrating the components that align with their editors’ preferences and requirements directly within Media Composer®.

Avid Huddle is a new SaaS solution that empowers creative teams to collaborate more efficiently from anywhere on any device with familiar tools. Teams can review, discuss, and comment on content as if they were working in the same room.

AWS

Amazon MGM Studios Mobile Uplink delivers productions
mobile Internet connectivity and green power wherever they need it.
Built inside a custom up-fit Rivian R1S, Mobile Uplink’s state-of-the-art connectivity combines multiple Internet sources (5G LTE from multiple providers plus satellite) into a single, high-speed reliable connection accessible from both the vehicle’s onboard DIT station or through its onboard fiber/Ethernet/WiFi connectivity.
With its companion lithium-ion battery powered generator in tow, the Mobile Uplink provides power on set (105.6 kWh nominal) and includes a peak 1000W solar charger to keep the battery topped up. The unit can operate its connectivity and the Rivian itself for up to two weeks.
A collaboration with AWS, Project Kuiper and Amazon Sustainability, Mobile Uplink supports right-sized production processes: from providing simple Internet connectivity to set to supporting complex directto-cloud or camera-to-cloud next-generation content production workflows—all while helping Amazon
meet its sustainability goals.
You can upload original-capture-files directly to Amazon S3. You can send completed dailies directly to Flow Capture. Studios Technology content creation tools in the cloud like Colorfront On-Set Dailies and Avid Media Composer/Avid NEXIS are available securely via HP Anyware/Teradici, directly from the
vehicle.

BIND Studio

Bind Studio offers a visual effects pipeline as a service offering. It’s a turnkey solution giving customers a cloud environment preconfigured that unlocks an artist’s ability to work quickly on shots for feature and episodic content. It also serves as a Hub for all data that the Visual Effects teams are tracking during the life of a project.

Bitpress

MasterPress transforms video assets and content libraries. MasterPress employs cutting-edge technologies like temporal fingerprinting, spatial correlation, and machine learning to automate master file creation and reporting. Supporting both relational and single-source operations. It’s capabilities are Master file creation which automatically generates textless and picture-to-picture masters; Comprehensive reporting provides version delta reporting, aspect ratio error detection, and rendition verification; Asset deduplication manages assets in MAM/DAM by identifying and eliminating duplicates. MasterPress is part of a suite of products that automate

Blackmagic Design

Blackmagic Design creates the world’s highest quality video editing products, digital film cameras, color correctors, video converters, video monitoring, routers, live production switchers, disk recorders, waveform monitors and real time film scanners for the feature film, post production and television broadcast industries. Blackmagic Design’s DeckLink capture cards launched a revolution in quality and affordability in post production, while the company’s Emmy™ award winning DaVinci color correction products have dominated the television and film industry since 1984. Blackmagic Design continues ground breaking innovations including 6G-SDI and 12G-SDI products and stereoscopic 3D and Ultra HD workflows. Founded by world leading post production editors and engineers, Blackmagic Design has offices in the USA, UK, Japan, Singapore and Australia. For more information, please go to www.blackmagicdesign.com.

Bria AI

Bria: Enterprise-Grade Visual AI Development Platform
Bria empowers teams to build production-ready visual AI solutions for media and entertainment workflows. Our platform provides multiple ways to create AI workflows that can enhance content production—from complete source code access and weights for AI teams to production-ready APIs for developers to iFrames for rapid implementation. Leading entertainment companies like Warner Bros. and Universal Music trust Bria’s interoperable platform to create custom visual content and better monetization while maintaining complete control over outputs, data, and brand.
Built exclusively on licensed data with full IP indemnity coverage and out-of-the-box EU AI Act and C2PA compliance. Bria provides the infrastructure for risk-free visual AI development. Join leading entertainment companies in building the next generation of visual AI solutions and UGC campaigns with confidence and control.
At the HPA Tech Retreat, we’ll demonstrate how our platform enables Media and Entertainment companies to:
Develop production-ready visual AI pipelines tailored to your enterprise’s needs.
Create AI-powered content workflows that deliver predictable, controllable, consistent, and risk-free outputs.
Build custom AI engines trained on your brand and IP.
Integrate visual AI capabilities into your existing workflows, such as Adobe, Figma, ComfyUI, and more. Learn more at www.bria.ai

Canon

Canon will exhibit our newest cinema cameras, the EOS C400 and EOS C80. Both cameras feature a 6K back-illuminated, stacked full-frame CMOS sensor, with exceptionally low noise and triple-base ISO (800, 3200, and 12,800).

Live workflows with the EOS C400 and EOS C80 will demonstrate native compatibility with Frame.io’s Camera-to-Cloud (C2C) technology. This feature enables sending proxy files to the C2C Cloud directly from the cameras while recording original camera files (OCF) and proxy files internally. The proxy files are sent over wireless or a wired Ethernet connection.

Canon’s proxy files match the same filename, timecode stream, and metadata fields as the original camera files and natively support playback on Frame.io. The efficient proxy files are available to view, share, and edit remotely without requiring additional processing or conversion. The proxy files are uploaded to the cloud automatically, allowing for a more streamlined workflow.

Rounding out Canon’s exhibit are Cinema EOS prime and zoom lenses, CINE-SERVO lenses, and our newest RF mount zooms and hybrid lenses.

castLabs

We’ll showcase our revolutionary single-frame forensic watermarking technology, offering imperceptible security against leaks and a robust tool for content authenticity verification – embedded across digital assets, retrievable with just one image.

As a proud C2PA member, we align with industry standards to enhance content provenance. Unlike traditional watermarking methods requiring longer segments for detection, our solution excels with single-frame precision – a vital capability in today’s fast-moving digital landscape, where content is often shared in short clips or still images. Whether safeguarding pre-release material or monitoring online sharing, our technology ensures confidence in asset protection.

Beyond watermarking, our solution addresses growing concerns around content authenticity, including deepfake content as AI-generated media grows. Our technology covers the entire real estate of the image, allowing it to detect modifications and generate a tamper-detection heatmap. Such tamper-proofing, along with data that links to the original version, can be embedded in content published by news outlets, political entities, or corporations; serving as a stamp of authenticity from the source.

By combining our single-frame forensic watermarking with deepfake detection, we empower studios and content owners with the tools to not only protect the integrity of their content but also maintain the trust of their audiences.

Cerio.io

Cerio is revolutionizing media and entertainment infrastructure with our cutting-edge, software-defined composable platform. By dynamically connecting GPUs, DPUs, and other accelerators to any server or workstation without BIOS changes, we empower creative teams to customize systems in real-time for pre- and post-production workflows. Unlike fixed systems that over-provision or throttle resources, Cerio delivers up to 4x GPU density, reducing costs, power, and cooling footprints by up to 50%.
With Cerio, you can right-size your infrastructure, minimize idle time, and maximize productivity for tasks like virtual production, VFX editing, and color grading. Whether you’re working on Unreal Engine, DaVinci Resolve, or remote editing, Cerio ensures seamless performance with scalability, flexibility, and sustainability at its core.
Choose Cerio to accelerate innovation, fuel creativity, and achieve the best economics for your digital creation infrastructure.

Chaos

Chaos Arena

A product of the Chaos Innovation Lab, Chaos Arena (formerly Project Arena) is the first-ever real-time path-tracing solution for in-camera visual effects (ICVFX) on virtual production stages. Extensively tested across diverse stage setups and configurations around the world, including the making of Ray Tracing FTW, Arena has officially transitioned out of beta and is now production-ready.

CineCert

CineCert’s MaUI is a scalable solution for DCP and IMF mastering on-prem or in the cloud.

Colorfront

We will be show AI-powered solutions that automate HDR mastering and dynamic range optimization across diverse formats. Our cloud-based workflows ensure consistent, high-quality delivery for platforms ranging from cinema projection to next-gen consumer displays.

By leveraging AI, filmmakers can automate time-consuming tasks while optimizing media for large-scale projection and UHD HDR home displays, streamlining post-production processes.

 

 

Deepdub

Deepdub is a leader in AI-powered voice solutions, reshaping the landscape of dubbing and language localization for the entertainment industry. Our proprietary eTTS (enhanced Text-to-Speech) technology merges cutting-edge AI with human expertise to authentically preserve the original intent across over 130 languages. Our suite of solutions includes the Deepdub GO platform—a virtual AI dubbing studio designed for post-production editors—and a bespoke dubbing service provided by our seasoned team of localization professionals. Additionally, our robust API solution allows for easy integration of our advanced voice technologies into existing systems, broadening the accessibility and applicability of our services. Trusted by major Hollywood studios and top streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu, Deepdub empowers creators to deliver content that is not only linguistically precise but also emotionally compelling and culturally resonant, fulfilling the vision of true global storytelling.

 

 

EditHero

EditHero: A Proven Time-Saving Solution for Film & Television Workflows

Armed with AI frame-matching technology, EditHero automates tedious work, restoring time and budget for creative excellence.

Two powerful tools lead the charge with more on the way:

  • Conform, your trusted ally for frame-matching, handles pesky proxy-to-master alignment faster than a speeding bullet. EditHero conforms in a fraction of the time with pinpoint accuracy—no need for EDLs, time codes, or file names.
  • Compare, a master at identifying changes between cuts, empowers producers to track revisions, processors to plan workflows, and QC teams to uphold compliance. Its user-friendly interface delivers lightning fast results.

EditHero streamlines outdated workflows, enabling users to achieve more with less. Tested and proven in studio and post-production environments, EditHero delivers exceptional results every time from large studios to individuals and everything in between with secure on premises, hybrid, and all-in cloud based solutions.

EIZO

EIZO will be showcasing the new PROMINENCE CG1 HDR reference Display. The CG1 is EIZO’s next generation PROMINENCE HDR monitor and the HPA Tech Retreat will be the first public showing of this solution with a production model. The CG1 has been introduced and shown at NAB and IBC this year with early prototype units.

CG1 is a 30.5 inch DCI 4K (4096×2160) HDR reference display that qualifies as a Dolby Vision mastering monitor. Its dual-layer LCD panel produces 1000 cd/m2 full screen brightness while maintaining HDR black level with 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Like its predecessor CG3146, inputs include HDMI, DisplayPort and 3G/6G/12G SDI input and loop out. The CG1 is equipped with two 25GbE SFP28 connectors, supporting the SMPTE ST 2110 Professional Media Over Managed IP Networks suite of standards for handling uncompressed video sent over IP networks.

The CG1 supports Fixed Rate Link (FRL), the latest signal technology supported in the latest HDMI specification. FRL is required to receive 12-bit signals, handle higher uncompressed high-resolution data, such as 4K, and take advantage of high-speed bandwidths for compressed video transport over an HDMI connection. Fine detail image quality and viewing angle improvements over its predecessor will also be demonstrated.

 

Electric Sheep

The VFX outsourcing process is a mess. Let’s be honest.

Miscommunication, delays, budget overruns, and difficulty forecasting timelines with vendors—sound familiar? We’ve got the solution.

Our AI-powered rotoscoping platform delivers production-ready previews within two hours, cuts costs by over 20%, and provides precise annotations with in-platform live communication to eliminate miscommunication and avoid costly kickbacks.

Our under-two-hour previews are production ready for clean-ups, tricky green screens, sky replacements, and DI mattes.

Designed for global workflows, Electric Sheep integrates directly into your pipeline. No more upload/download delays—automatic syncing ensures smooth collaboration across time zones.

With single-click object annotations, real-time shot updates, and in-app communication tools, Get bids back faster, process work quicker, and make decisions with ease.

Streamline decision-making for large-scale projects and remove the friction of outsourcing.

Visit our booth to see how Electric Sheep is making VFX scalable.

 

 

Eluvio

Eluvio is solving the generational problems of video over the Internet with its Content Fabric Protocol, a next-generation content distribution and storage protocol transforming the distribution and monetization of premium video and digital media–in contrast to legacy cloud workflows and CDNs. Eluvio users include Amazon Studios/MGM, European Professional Club Rugby, FOX, Gladius Sports, SONY Pictures, Telstra Broadcast Services, UEFA, Warner Bros., WWE, and others. Eluvio is led by Michelle Munson and Serban Simu, founders and inventors of Aspera (Emmy Award winning, acquired by IBM in 2014). Based in Berkeley, California with a worldwide team of 40 engineers, scientists and commercial leaders, Eluvio has received the NAB Product of the Year in 2024, Seicon Grand prize, and the prestigious Engineering Excellence Award by the Hollywood Professional Association and holds 13 issued US patents.

 

 

Evercast

Evercast is a secure real-time collaboration platform that combines video conferencing, high-resolution content streaming, and intuitive review tools in one. It’s used by thousands of creatives worldwide across film, episodic, advertising, game development, and more. Evercast is a member of the Motion Picture Association’s Trusted Partner Network (TPN), with a rigorous security protocol approved by all major film and television studios.

This year at the HPA Tech Retreat, Evercast is pleased to unveil Suites. Evercast Suites offer a premium collaboration experience with more space, greater flexibility, and reinforced security. Features include forensic watermarking (powered by NAGRAVISION) to strengthen the protection of pre-release content; Theater mode, which facilitates one-to-many streaming to 100+ participants; and App Share, where teams can launch go-to industry apps (Frame.io, Autodesk Flow, Syncsketch, and more) from within Evercast and then share control of the mouse and keyboard.

In addition to launching Suites, Evercast is offering a sneak preview of Evercast Device Interface (EDI), designed to interconnect creative software tools with the Evercast platform. EDI is a local video connectivity standard that supports HDR and surround sound workflows, as well as bidirectional metadata including timecode, color space information, and application-specific protocols—all within SMPTE and open framework standards.

 

 

The NEXX platform provides a path to SMPTE ST 2110 with IP gateway apps and a bridge to remote and cloud production with the support of JPEG XS. Controlled by MAGNUM-OS, NEXX ensures future-proof broadcasting solutions for users of all sizes and applications.

Evertz Microsystems Ltd.

The NEXX 3RU (96×96) router by Evertz provides broadcast facilities with access to the latest UHD (4K and 8K) technology, supporting SD/HD/3G/6G/12G data rates. This fully passive solution offers a clear pathway for future IP expansion, enabling seamless integration of cloud services into workflows.

All NEXX products feature fully redundant control and easy component swapping, including crosspoint, fans, and I/O modules. They offer native full audio shuffling and an integrated, software-enabled multiviewer with over 40 pre-configured layouts.

The NEXX-670 expands processing options for NEXX, allowing users to choose functionality by loading different FPGA-accelerated apps. Based on Evertz’s popular ev670 platform, NEXX-670 is ideal for facilities transitioning to IP with gateway apps. It offers advanced bulk processing and a sophisticated, fully-featured multiviewer with high-end monitoring and multiviewing options.

Completing the next-generation processing lineup is NEXX-SCORPION, a miniature input and output (MIO) module that allows for high customization and flexibility. It natively supports non-SDI interfaces, including HDMI and Dante.

 

 

FilmLight

Nara is an integrated media tool offering a streamlined and sophisticated solution for media access, streaming and indexing. Nara can natively decode and play back a wide selection of media without the need to transcode to proxy files. Its advanced indexing system ensures rapid data retrieval while its streaming engine minimizes bandwidth usage. It supports on premise and in the cloud storage, provides unparalleled codec support and guarantees uniform and color-accurate image presentation – offering a comprehensive, efficient and consistent media review experience which improves workflows and enhances collaboration.

Flanders Scientific, Inc.

The XMP310 is a 31.5″ UHD resolution HDR and SDR reference monitor built around the same industry leading QD-OLED panel technology as our HPA Award Winning 55″ XMP550. With 1,000nits peak luminance, 1.5Million:1 contrast, and an exceptionally wide color gamut the XMP310 qualifies as a Dolby Vision mastering monitor and is ready to handle your most demanding HDR and SDR monitoring needs.

Traditionally, achieving display consistency between 31-inch mastering displays and larger format screens has been a daunting challenge due to the historical use of different display technologies at these sizes. However, the XMP310 (31.5-inch), XMP550 (55-inch), and XMP650 (65-inch) overcome this challenge with a shared use of the same cutting-edge QD-OLED panel technology being driven by the same advanced color management system. This helps to ensure exceptional interoperability within and across various monitoring environments.

From production to post-production, these matching reference displays empower DPs, DITs, editors, colorists, and clients to devote more time to creative endeavors and less time to managing display matching challenges.

 

 

Flawless

Flawless is redefining the entertainment industry by empowering filmmakers and actors to bring their creative visions to life with unprecedented efficiency and agility. Flawless technology, recognized as one of TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions, enables filmmakers to adjust, edit, and enhance their work by visually dubbing their films into multiple languages with ease to reach new audiences and deliver cinematic-quality filmmaking faster. With tools like TrueSync™ for cinematic visual dubbing and DeepEditor™ for refining performances and adjusting dialogue, Flawless is making filmmaking more agile and creative than ever. Flawless’ technologies are built with clean, ethically sourced data, and integrated consent capture tools ensure that artists’ rights are protected at every stage, setting the standard for responsible AI in the film industry. Baked into both DeepEditor and TrueSync is A.R.T., the Artists Rights Treasury developed alongside industry labor groups, which protects artistic rights by giving performers the ability to review and consent to edits. To see how Flawless is bringing creative freedom to artists across the filmmaking process, from set to screen, and to learn more about our commitment to ethical innovation, visit www.flawlessai.com or visit our table in the innovation zone.

Fonn Group

Mimir is a cloud native video production and collaboration platform for professionals. The Fonn Group company, Mimir, embodies the front line of cloud-native platforms, redefining efficiency, seamless workflows and collaboration from any location.

Mimir manages not only your media asset files, but also other files such as Premier Projects, graphics and documents. It uses AI for automatic metadata logging to power its industry-leading search.

Customers are, amongst others, CBS News, VRT, NRK, Axel Springer, blinx, GB News, Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Formula E, TV 2 FYN, Sky News Australia, The New York Times, News UK, TVNZ, and ausbiz. Mimir has won several prestigious industry awards since its launch in early 2019. Visit our website: onemimir.com

GB Labs

GB Labs Corp is showcasing NebulaNAS, a revolutionary cloud storage solution combining the benefits of on-premise storage with the power and flexibility of the cloud. Designed to address the needs of geographically dispersed production teams, NebulaNAS offers unmatched security, seamless collaboration, exceptional performance and ease of use.

NebulaNAS ensures fast and secure access to content from anywhere by allowing users to mount their media drive directly on their desktop from the NebulaNAS cloud. Its unique caching system lets remote workers start projects immediately while files are uploading to NebulaNAS. Block-level acceleration dramatically reduces transfer time by delivering only the actually needed data blocks from footage, enabling high-speed performance and smooth collaboration.

NebulaNAS integrates effortlessly with GB Labs’ on-premise storage, enabling seamless hybrid workflows. Footage from NebulaNAS can be cached to an on-prem server enabling maximum performance for local workgroups, while remote users access the same data via the cloud.

NebulaNAS features an intuitive interface that takes just minutes to learn and supports a wide range of production workflows, including editing, mastering, and asset management. It leverages thousands of distributed servers for resilience against failures, employing AES 256-bit encryption, detailed audit logs, robust permissions, and remote cache wiping for comprehensive security.

 

 

HP

Transformative AI performance. Redefining workflows.
HP will be showcasing its AMD workstation portfolio, including:
• ***NEW*** HP ZBook Ultra G1a mobile workstation
• ***NEW*** HP Z2 Mini G1a desktop workstation
both with the AMD RyzenTM AI Max PRO processor
• HP Z6 G5 A desktop workstation with the AMD RyzenTM ThreadripperTM PRO processor
Learn more at hp.com/z
Find help with choosing the right workstation for your workflow at hp.com/isv

Lightcraft Technology

Lightcraft Jetset is a complete virtual production studio in an iPhone. The Jetset iOS app provides real time cine camera tracking and lens calibration, photorealistic USD and 3D Gaussian splat rendering, 3D scanning, and tracking metadata recording in a simple and integrated UI. Jetset includes an automated post production pipeline that connects it to Blender, Unreal, Maya, Houdini, Nuke, After Effects, Syntheyes, and other production tools.

 

 

LucidLink

LucidLink is the fastest, easiest way to work with media that lives in the cloud. Our award-winning collaboration platform gives creatives instant access to their largest, most critical files—no waiting, no downloading, no maxing out hard drives, and no falling out of sync with the team. It’s a single source of truth that combines the power of the cloud with the simplicity of a local drive.

From post-production to VFX, finishing, and everything in between, LucidLink doesn’t just enhance workflows—it unlocks new possibilities. With minimal IT setup, near-instant ROI, and a seamless creative process, it’s no surprise the world’s leading studios, broadcasters, and streamers are embracing LucidLink. Plus, with our TPN Gold shield certification, content security teams can rest easy.

 

 

Miris

Miris has developed and patented technologies that enable the first SDN (Spatial Delivery Network) dedicated to spatial content.

The company’s cloud-based rendering of dynamic 3D content is delivered directly to XR devices like the Apple Vision Pro or Meta Quest, enabling content creators to deliver high-quality dynamic interactive content without increasing hardware demands. This technology natively streams spatial content with live playback, over 5G or Wi-Fi, with zero downloads. Currently, Miris has over 120 patents related to this technology.

Miris optimizes digital content created in standard media formats (i.e.: OpenUSD, OpenTimelineIO) for streaming with the Miris AI-Transcoding technology, and is developing a metering system for monetization for the content owners.

At HPA 2025, Miris will be giving the first public development demonstrations of 6DoF spatial streaming.

 

 

NAGRAVISION

NAGRAVISION’s NexGuard forensic watermarking solutions are engineered to protect your content at every stage of the pre-release process. Embedding NexGuard is the single most effective action you can take to deter pirates from stealing your content before you release it.

At the HPA Tech Retreat, we will showcase its latest innovations designed to prevent content leaks in the movie industry, including:

  • Single frame detection with NexGuard FrameSafe.
  • Cloud watermarking at speed for mezzanine files with NexGuard MediaMarker, and watermarking metadata management from the cloud with the NexGuard Cloud Manager and Global Manager.
  • Screen tracking tool for automated forensic detections on moving camcorders

Perfect Memory

Unlock the power of ReasoningAI for seamless data transformation

Our reasoning AI solution transforms diverse, complex data from all kind of sources and format into accessible, actionable insights, allowing organizations to break free from data silos and eliminate unnecessary dependencies on specialized expertise. This transformation spans the entire data supply chain by integrating raw, heterogeneous data & content, enriching it with relevant business context, and processing it into trustworthy, actionable knowledge.

A solution built for interoperability, Ffexibility, and efficiency

Designed to resolve internal and external conflicts across business systems, our solution provides direct access to relevant knowledge for diverse roles. It enables organizations to stay agile and responsive to business changes, especially as AI strategies evolve.

Our stack combines the best of AI, cloud, and data/content management technologies

  • Reasoning AI: Employs semantic methods and tools to generate transparent, verifiable outcomes.
  • Knowledge Graphs: Offers machine-readable data entities and objects, along with their logical relationships
  • Tailored Microservices: Ensures adaptability to your unique requirements.

With Reasoning AI, turn any data into valuable information and make AI truly intelligent for your studio or production workflows.

Perifery

Our solution transforms the Media & Entertainment (M&E) industry by offering intelligent object storage, media asset management (MAM), and AI-powered tools (AI+). We address the critical challenge of asset findability, helping organizations unlock the full value of their media assets.

Our AI-driven tools generate traditional and visual transcripts, enriching video, audio, image, and text assets with detailed metadata. By automatically assigning relevant prompts to metadata fields, we drastically improve searchability with minimal user input. The result is faster, more accurate asset retrieval, which accelerates content workflows and boosts productivity.

Using AI-powered vision-language models, we provide precise object tagging that merges visual and textual data. This enhances workflow efficiency and supports Big Data analytics. Optional pre-trained object models optimize performance, making assets more accessible across various workflows.

Our MAM-agnostic API easily integrates with existing systems, streamlining production, post-production, and live event workflows. This reduces complexity, improves collaboration, and ensures media assets are efficiently managed.

We address asset overload, workflow complexity, and collaboration gaps while reducing time and costs. By enhancing metadata and simplifying integrations, we make media assets fully discoverable and monetizable—empowering M&E professionals to maximize their content’s potential across all stages.

Playbook 3D

Playbook 3D is a powerful, secure, and easy-to-deploy generative media platform for professional studios to create images, videos, and audio with Gen AI.
Given the pace of innovation in the space, managing and maintaining a cutting-edge AI deployment is necessary to remain at the forefront of innovation.
Playbook is purpose-built for hosting ComfyUI in the cloud. By handling the technical infrastructure needed to leverage these state-of-the-art models, Playbook allows creative teams to focus on what they do best: storytelling.
Whether you’re an AI filmmaker, technical artist, or production studio, Playbook is a complete production hub for creative teams: a flexible, node-based workflow builder, a step-by-step custom AI model trainer, and various creation tools to provide the highest level of creative control to teams.
Key features:
– Build and run ComfyUI workflows in the cloud
– Ready-to-use AI inference APIs optimized for speed and scalability
– Enterprise level collaboration
– Secure model hosting and training on proprietary IP
– Integrations with Houdini, Blender, Unreal, Maya, Unity pipelines
– Licensed for commercial use
Visit our booth and meet our team in the Innovation Zone

Puget Systems

Discover PugetBench, the industry-leading benchmarking tool from Puget Systems, designed for creative professionals seeking optimal performance. Tailored for applications like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and After Effects, PugetBench provides real-world performance metrics to help studios and content creators fine-tune laptop workstation configurations for demanding video production, VFX, and post-production workflows.
By simulating real creative tasks, PugetBench highlights how hardware affects productivity. Use this data to justify workstation upgrades, compare configurations, or ensure your current systems are delivering optimal performance.

Quickture

Quickture is an AI editing software program that works within the existing professional nonlinear editing workflows (Adobe Premiere Pro and AVID Media Composer). It helps find the story fast by transcribing, analyzing, organizing, and editing raw footage into rough cuts. The tool provides instant detailed summaries of a scene, interview or full episode. It organizes footage into story beats and rates them on criteria that matters most to producers and editors. Users can create auto edits at their preferred target length and make revisions using natural language prompts, which can range from broad suggestions to detailed notes. Quickture opens up creative possibilities by allowing users to explore options fast, to find the best story, and to deliver fast-turnaround entertainment. Quickture insures enterprise grade security using SOC-2 protocols and is an approved vendor at leading broadcasters and streamers.

SandTech

Sand Technologies is an AI company, with deep experience building solutions and products for the M&E industry. We develop AI driven solutions such as CLIPr (video understanding) , Nomad (Video Content Management)
CLIPR: CLIPr’s mission: to help people quickly catalog and find the most important moments and learnings in any video, transforming the footage from a novelty to a valuable resource.
NOMAD: Nomad is an intelligent cloud-based content and asset management platform that transforms the way you manage your ever-growing content library.

Savepoint

Savepoint: A Revolutionary Mobile Face Scanner for AI-Powered Digital Replicas
Savepoint empowers talent agencies and studios to explore unprecedented opportunities by creating high-quality, AI-driven digital replicas. Utilizing a proprietary mobile scanning system combined with advanced neural network technology, Savepoint captures the unique essence of each talent with cinematic precision, producing hyper-realistic digital doubles.
For Talent Agencies: Savepoint offers a transformative solution to extend their clients’ careers indefinitely. By digitizing their likenesses, talent can continue to generate revenue through global licensing and diverse media platforms, even when they are not physically available. This innovative service not only broadens career horizons but also unlocks entirely new revenue streams, ensuring sustained growth and visibility for their clients.
For Studios: Savepoint delivers substantial time and cost efficiencies while guaranteeing seamless project completion. The flawless integration of digital replicas into productions allows studios to overcome physical limitations, enabling creative storytelling without compromise. By streamlining workflows and reducing production bottlenecks, Savepoint enhances productivity and maintains the highest quality standards in every project.

Scriptation

Scriptation is an Emmy® award-winning app for film and TV production. Used on show such as Hacks, Saturday Night Live, and House of the Dragon, Scriptation is the industry-standard app for annotating and organizing production documents.

Scriptation allows you to digitally mark up scripts, separate notes into layers, track changes across revisions, generate breakdown reports, and so much more. Plus, when you get a script revision, Scriptation instantly transfers your notes, including shotlists, diagrams, and photos, into your new draft in seconds.

Scriptation makes it easy to collaborate and stay connected with your team. For iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

 

 

Signiant

The Signiant Platform

Signiant will demonstrate an innovative camera-to-cloud solution that supports any Internet-connected storage — private or public — and browser-based interaction with the camera raw media both on set and in the cloud.

Media is transferred as it is captured to minimize delays between availability on set and with remote producers and editors. Interaction capabilities include 1) searching for clips, 2) previewing the content and associated metadata as it is captured, and 3) frame-accurate sub-clipping of the original media.

 

 

Sohonet

We’ll preview ClearView Rush, the latest addition to our remote collaboration toolkit, rethinking the classic ‘streaming dailies’ experience. Part of the expanded suite of studio tools from our 5th Kind acquisition, Rush focuses on solving asset review needs for modern studios.
Demos will highlight key innovations that set Rush apart, elevating it from a ‘website for playing back video files’ to a ‘studio asset review platform.’ Including ‘timeline aware review’ for cuts that keep everyone speaking the same language, and features to streamline the review of dailies for creative executives with limited time.
We’ll also be showing Editorial Review Sessions for ClearView Flex (Beta). The first of several workflow-specific experiences tailored to team needs. Highlights include integrated video conferencing/ streamlined session setups without echo/ feedback/ out-of-sync confidence views/ improved participant gallery management.
We’ll also demonstrate a fully functional session reviewing content from a creative workstation in AWS using our Virtual FlexBox (vFlex) encoder. This configuration continues to deliver the same top-shelf image/ sound quality as our hardware-based option, supporting up to 10-bit HDR from creative tools supporting NDI 6.

SONY Electronics

Ci Media Cloud is a cloud-based solution from Sony where users can capture, backup, review, transform and run streamlined media workflows without moving or copying files. It is the only media platform that offers remote file gathering, real-time collaboration, automated transcoding, high-speed file transfer, QC, logging, and archive functionality in a single SaaS subscription. Ci launched in 2013 and is now used by more than 250,000 media professionals each month around the world.

This year, Sony will showcase several updates to the Ci platform to bring innovations to editorial workflows. Ci Transfer, a purpose-built desktop app for transferring media files enables production and post-production teams to quickly gather and share footage and metadata for easy access no matter where teams are located. Enhancements to Ci Workflow for automated VFX pulls offer support for additional camera sources and output formats. And expanded direct integrations with non-linear edit (NLE) tools allow editorial teams to access, browse, import, work on, and share files and projects seamlessly from their NLE of choice.

 

 

SRI International

SRI International offers precision Sarnoff™ video patterns for end-to-end testing of complete 4K systems, including BT.2100 and BT.2111 High Dynamic Range (HDR), Wide Color Gamut (WCG), BT.2020, HLG, PQ, and ICtCp uncompressed content, either preloaded on SRI’s 4Kp60-capable test pattern generator (TG-400) or as media files. SRI’s products support all commonly used color spaces, including PQ/2020, HLG/2020, S-Log3/2020, ICtCp/2020. SRI’s Sarnoff Test Patterns visually reveal errors in workflows and monitors, verifying color space interpretation, bit depth, low light and high light performance, and more. At the HPA innovation zone, demos will include new test patterns that test viewing environment lighting and projector gamma value. We will also demonstrate our referenced-based video and audio system analyzer that reports the color space in use including which YUV matrix, which EOTF, which primaries and full vs. narrow code range. The audio analyzer reports, per-channel: level, inversion, time offset, and source ID. And brand new, never shown before, audio for downmix analysis which reports which channels were used to compose each downmix channel, including the source channel, level and timing offset of each of the constituent channels.

 

 

Storj

Storj is the globally distributed cloud platform optimized for high-performance access and continuous availability for:
  • Production-ready archive
  • Rapid ingest
  • Direct cloud conform
  • Real-time playback
  • Content distribution
  • On-demand GPUs

 

 

 

Strada

Strada is an award-winning operating system at the center of video production collaboration. Leveraging AI enrichment, workflow orchestration, file virtualization, intelligent caching, and best-in-class collaboration technologies, Strada acts as the common interface for daily video production activities, providing an essential base layer for the ecosystem of video tools and storage.

 

 

 

Studio Network Solutions (SNS)

Studio Network Solutions (SNS) is a creative, award-winning, media technology company specializing in high-performance shared storage workflow solutions for media production and post-production teams. On premise, in the cloud, or both, SNS’s scalable EVO shared storage solutions come with the award-winning EVO Suite, featuring built-in media asset management and advanced workflow tools that integrate with other leading creative technologies, including Adobe® Premiere® Pro, Final Cut Pro®, DaVinci Resolve®, Avid® Media Composer®, and more. Trusted by video professionals worldwide, SNS empowers post-production, broadcast, and VFX teams in over 80 countries to create amazing content, faster, from anywhere.

 

 

The Studio-B&H

This year, we will focus on showcasing seamless integration of Generative AI in Virtual Production. In collaboration with our award-winning partners at Disguise, Cuebric and ROE, we will offer the audience a fully functional real-time environment that will include the complete range of content solutions from 2D plates to 2.5D spatial layering to 3D with Unreal Engine. Our small LED Volume will demonstrate the deployment feasibility of an intuitive AI-driven workflow to allow filmmakers of any market the flexibility to create compelling content. In addition, following up on our commitment to show hybrid SMPTE 2110 workflows, we will include baseband to IP conversion tools to help advance the technology transition for a range of content creators.

 

 

Tunnel Inc

Scriptini
The Scriptini Studio Suite is a collection of AI-powered filmmaking products, services and resources designed to support and enhance the creative process for both aspiring filmmakers and seasoned veterans in the industry.
Scriptini just launched WRITE, a state of the art next-gen screenplay editor at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. WRITE allows a screenwriter to visualize their script as they write it, to be able to sit back, listen and watch their story come to life.
The Scriptini Filmmaker Toolkit includes the automated generation of pitch decks, schedules, budgets and more.

Twelve Labs

Twelve Labs delivers industry-leading video AI solutions that unlock the full potential of enterprise vast video archives. Our proprietary multimodal foundation models bring human-like understanding to videos, enabling precise semantic search, summarization, analysis and Q&A through easy-to-integrate APIs. This empowers enterprises to effortlessly search, monetize extensive video libraries, extract insights, and repurpose content at scale. Unlike conventional methods that struggle with the complexities of video, Twelve Labs overcomes the limitations of manual tagging and inadequate computer vision techniques, streamlining processes with state-of-the-art, customizable models. These models make previously inaccessible video assets searchable, seamlessly integrating into existing workflows. Media leaders like sports organizations, studios and creators rely on Twelve Labs to transform their video content.

V-Nova Studios

V-Nova Studios proudly presents our latest developments for the Lumiere Award-winning V-Nova PresenZ format, revolutionizing cinematic storytelling through pre-rendered, six-degrees-of-freedom (6DoF) extended reality experiences with unparalleled cinematic quality.

Designed to integrate seamlessly into standard production pipelines (such as Autodesk, Moonray, Houdini, Nuke), PresenZ transforms traditional “flat” content into immersive experiences, unlocking a cost-effective monetization channel while reaching new audiences. This unique capability enables studios to maximize their assets without altering their workflows. Our impactX framework further empowers filmmakers, offering the tools to push creative boundaries and redefine immersion.

Visitors to our booth can explore ImmersiX, our distribution app, now in Steam and soon available in pixelstreaming. Exclusive previews, showcasing hyper-realistic, lifelike storytelling, include:

  • “Weightless”: The first-ever 6DoF VR music video exclusively released in XR, with a song by the legendary Diane Warren.
  • “Sharkarma”: A cinematic-grade CG short film tackling environmental themes, blending stunning visuals and a thrilling story with a powerful message about ocean preservation.

 

WEKA

The WEKA® Data Platform is a software-based solution built to modernize enterprise data stacks. Its advanced AI-native, data pipeline-oriented architecture delivers exceptional performance at scale, providing an optimal environment for data-intensive applications that makes GPUs and AI, ML, and HPC workloads run faster and work more efficiently. Cloud and hardware-agnostic, WEKA’s software enables seamless data portability across on-premises, cloud, and edge deployments and in hybrid and multicloud environments, offering native compatibility with the industry’s broadest selection of server hardware, hyperscaler clouds, and GPU clouds. WEKA can be purchased as subscription software, a fully managed service, or as a turnkey ready-to-use appliance, giving customers a wide range of deployment options.

 

 

 

Yamdu

Yamdu moves pre-production to the cloud. Yamdu has been the first tool in the field that is:

  • Cloud-based
  • Object-based
  • REST-API-based

From script to scheduling, filmmakers collect data online and published edits in the cloud rather than sending updated files. Thus, Yamdu serves a single-source-of-truth for all departments (crew, cast, locations, props, wardrobe, etc.). Updates are made available in real-time, which includes but is not limited to shooting schedules, DOOD reports, and call sheets. Narrative elements (e.g. James Bond) are clearly distinguished from production elements (e.g. Daniel Craig). This enables Yamdu to process complex correlations with unique identifiers. New: Yamdu currently develops a REST-API based on Movielabs’s Ontology in order to share such enriched data with other systems, e.g for post-production applications or studio databases.

Meet our CEO and founder Florian Reimann at the Innovation Zone!

Special Attractions

Dolby Vision/Atmos Equipped Car

Dolby will be showcasing the world’s first vehicle to support a combined Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos experience, Li Auto’s MEGA.  Equipped with three OLED displays and 21 speakers, including three subwoofers, this is the future of in-car media experiences.
Hours
Monday – Thursday – See schedule posted on-site

Located in Celebrity B and C

Artist Gallery & Lounge – presented by Fuse Technical Group

Presented by Fuse Technical Group
Hours
Sunday 2pm – 6pm
Monday – Thursday – See schedule posted on-site

Located in Rancho Mirage Room

Virtual Production Car Process

See how Sim-Plates is innovating Virtual Production with new content and techniques for Car Process work. LED Panels by Gloshine, camera car and additional content from PlatePros.
Hours
Sunday 2pm – 6pm
Monday – Thursday – See schedule posted on-site

Located in Celebrity B and C

Innovation Zone

Presentations

Monday, February 17

10:40 am – 11:00 am A Brief History of Real-Time Tracing in Virtual Production

  • Christopher Nichols, Chaos

11:20 am – 11:40 am Combining AI and Virtual Production to achieve high visuals at low budgets. We’re focused on how these tools can be mixed together to remove the ‘grunt work’ from visual storytelling.

  • Eliot Mack, Lightcraft Technology
  • Nina Bergstrom

12:00 pm – 12:20 pm The Application of Foundation Models to Critical Video Workflows.

  • Twelve Labs

 

Tuesday, February 18

1:00 pm – 1:20 pm Provenance in AI  Prompting

  • Vered Horesh, Bria AI

 

Wednesday, February 19

12:45 pm – 1:05 pm Utility AI vs. Generative AI

  • Michael Cioni, Strada

1:20 pm – 1:40 pm Considering Creative Automation and GenAI to scale asset variation generation

  • Kevin Towes, Adobe

Welcome Activities

The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa is officially, entirely, 100% HPA for the 2025 Tech Retreat. This means no non-Retreaters allowed and we’ll be able to offer the hotel’s many experiences exclusively to Tech Retreat attendees. Foster connections while having fun in our experiential offerings. See what we have lined up so far and check back for more details and activities to come!


HPA Golf Tournament

Tee-Off with us for the popular HPA Golf Tournament! Add a single ticket or bring a group for a foursome when registering for the Tech Retreat.

Single Golfer – $220
Foursome – $880

Tickets include Green fees, cart rental, box lunch, two drink tickets, and prizes.

Sunday February 16
11:00 am Check In
12:00 pm Tee off
5:15 pm End (Prizes to be given out 6 pm at Welcome Drinks)


Pickleball Paradise

HPA will be hosting a casual round robin pickleball tournament for all skill levels as well as a beginners’ clinic on 12 fresh new courts. Pickleball play is complimentary for registered attendees. Spaces are limited and advanced rsvp is required.

Sunday, February 16 – 1:00-3:00 pm
(times subject to change)

RSVP

Yoga

Unwind before the conference or take your fitness goals to the next level by attending yoga led by an expert instructor on the beautiful Monte Luna Event Lawn. This hour-long class is limited to 25 participants and advanced rsvp is required.

Sunday, February 16 – 2:00-3:00 pm
(times subject to change)

RSVP

Bourbon Tasting

Indulge in an exclusive bourbon tasting experience! Explore a curated selection of premium bourbons while connecting with fellow attendees.

 

Sunday, February 16 – 3:30-5:00 pm
(times subject to change)

SOLD OUT


HPA Membership at the Pool

Come meet the HPA Membership at the pool for drinks and networking.

Sunday, February 16 – 1:00-5:00 pm
(times subject to change)

Sweets Social Hour

Hosted by the Westin Rancho Mirage in Pinz & Pints.

Sunday, February 16
(times subject to change)


Pool Cabana Sponsorship

Come enjoy great weather by the pool! Enhance your day with a cabana rental.
Want a dedicated spot to meet up with your team or invite clients during the Tech Retreat?
Pool Cabana sponsorships are available for 2025 Tech Retreat. Food/drink service available at an additional charge.

More Information


Make the most of your Tech Retreat experience and explore all these additional offerings!

Additional Sunday activities TBA.

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