Breaking from the usual Cannes Film Festival activities, CAA and Finch & Partners hosted 'The Future of ... Film Symposium', addressing the challenges facing the movie industry today.
Industry Leaders Gather
The symposium, held at Villa Dorane in Antibes, featured high-profile filmmakers such as Darren Aronofsky, James Gray, Nadine Labaki, Whit Stillman, and Juan Antonio Bayona. These industry figures engaged in discussions on topics like theatrical windows, artificial intelligence, audience attention spans, and new financing models for films.
Key Figures and Discussions
Roeg Sutherland of CAA Media Finance brought together leaders from both corporate and indie sectors. Notable attendees included Efe Cakarel of Mubi, Noah Sacco of A24, Michael Barker of Sony Pictures Classics, Ryan Werner and Jeff Deutschmann of Neon, Peter Kujawski of Focus Features, and Sanford Panitch of Columbia Pictures, among others. The discussions were candid, thanks to the off-record nature of the event.
Data and Insights
Panels offered insights into current trends, including alarming data shared by CAA's Megan Crawford on how sports gambling is increasingly diverting young men from moviegoing. The event's relaxed atmosphere allowed for open exchange, with lunch served in a grotto and opportunities to explore Jean Pigozzi's art collection at the villa.
Future Plans
CAA plans to continue this event format at other cultural gatherings, possibly expanding to include various media forms beyond film.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/news/caa-finch-film-symposium-cannes-film-festival-1236756492/
