Happy Thursday, Creative Army!

We’re back with our final powerhouse conversation from this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where Stage 32 proudly celebrated our 10th anniversary as an official partner of the Marché du Film. It was a whirlwind of connection, education, and inspiration, and we’re honored to continue bringing those unfiltered, essential conversations directly to you.

Today’s panel explores one of the most pressing, polarizing, and inevitable forces shaping our industry: artificial intelligence.

Whether you’re excited by AI’s potential or wary of its consequences, this conversation is a must-watch.

Stage 32 Presents: The Great AI Debate – How AI is Impacting Our Industry

Recorded live on Monday, May 19th at the FilmUSA Pavilion, Cannes 2025

This dynamic session brought together forward-thinking creatives and executives working at the cutting edge of film and technology. Together, we tackled the big questions around AI’s role in development, production, post-production, marketing, distribution, and even performance.

We didn’t shy away from the hard stuff—ethical concerns, legal uncertainty, and the fear many creatives have around being replaced or devalued. But we also leaned into the opportunities: new workflows, creative collaboration, smarter tools, and global reach.

Moderator:

AMANDA TONEY – Managing Director, Stage 32

Panelists:

RICHARD “RB” BOTTO – CEO, Stage 32

SAMI ARPA – CEO, Largo.AI

ALAN PAO – President, Tunnel

SAM PRESSMAN – CEO, Pressman Film

This conversation was designed for both AI skeptics and enthusiasts. Whether you’re just starting to explore the topic or already experimenting with AI-assisted workflows, this panel will give you the insight (and honesty) you need to navigate the future.

Watch the full panel recording below and join the conversation in the comments. We want to know:

Where do you stand on the integration of AI in creative work? What are your hopes and concerns as the industry evolves?

And if you missed our earlier Cannes panels, you can catch up here:

• Rebuilding the Pipeline – How Producers & Filmmakers Can Get Greenlit in Today’s Landscape
• From Local Crews to Global Screens – Navigating the Filmmaking Boom
• The Art of the Deal – Innovative Financing for Indie Filmmakers

These sessions have been shared to empower you with real-world knowledge and firsthand access to the conversations that matter most.

Stay curious. Stay active. Keep creating.

Cheers,

RB

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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