Abu dhabi: BRIDGE Summit 2025 convened leading figures from film and television for a wide-ranging discussion on how the global motion picture business is shifting across financing, production, and distribution. Moderated by Patrick Caligiuri, Media Advisor at the National Media Office, the session titled ‘Opportunities and Challenges in the Global Picture Business’ opened with a simple question: what forces will shape how films and series get made and seen over the next decade?
According to Emirates News Agency, Cindy Cowan, Oscar-Nominated and Emmy-Winning Producer, Cindy Cowan Entertainment, pointed to the accelerating rise of independent production, driven by tax incentives and the increasing value of original IP. She highlighted the changing business landscape, noting the difficulty in securing studio financing for movies that aren’t high-budget or based on existing intellectual property, which in turn creates significant opportunities for independent creators.
Jane Turton, CEO of All3Media, expanded t
he conversation by outlining how technology-particularly data-driven decision-making and AI-is reshaping every layer of the content pipeline, from commissioning to production. She observed that technology has radically transformed content consumption and production, with tech becoming an integral part of creating approximately 4000 hours of programs and films annually.
While the panel acknowledged the growing role of AI in production workflows, acclaimed actor Jared Harris expressed concerns about the ethical implications of generative AI. He warned against its widespread use without a code of ethics, emphasizing the importance of human narrative over algorithmic content. Harris urged creators to focus on storytelling, citing the enduring power of oral traditions as the foundation for compelling narratives.
‘Opportunities and Challenges in the Global Picture Business’ is part of a 300+ session program reflecting BRIDGE Summit’s scale and ambition. The debut edition of BRIDGE Summit takes place from 8-10 Dec
ember 2025 at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi.