Hollywood Insiders Share Secrets at Italy's Audiovisual Summit

Ah, the Audiovisual Producers Summit! A gathering where the power players of showbiz come together, likely armed with a slew of options for dinner and a penchant for discussing the state of the industry. This year, it’s set in the stunning surroundings of Calabria from June 10-12, because why not mix business with a side of beautiful Italian scenery?

Speaking of power players, let’s talk about the lineup. Wayne Garvie, the man in charge of international production at Sony Pictures Television, will rub shoulders with Alessandro Saba, the head honcho of original production at Walt Disney Italy. And then there's Veronica Sullivan from NBC Universal, whose presence alone could light up a room—or at least the negotiations.

But what are they chatting about? Financing models, co-productions, and the charming but slightly terrifying impact of technology like AI. I mean, who would have thought that robots could learn to plot twists as well as some of our most acclaimed writers? The theme of this year’s summit is appropriately titled “New Frontiers”—an echo of those adventurous souls who dared to drive a car on the Italian coast while simultaneously discussing the intricacies of international deals.

And the roster doesn’t end there. We’ve got Devon Franklin, CEO of Franklin Entertainment, who likely has a few stories about the creative process. Christina Lee Strom, the founder of Asher XR, will likely plunge into the future of entertainment as she explains XR technology in a way that even your grandma could understand. Ben Donald from Cosmopolitan Pictures and Lori McCreary from Revelations Entertainment will get into the nitty-gritty, presumably while sipping an espresso that could wake the dead.

This splendid event, organized by the Italian producers association APA, is not just a casual meet-up. It comes with the backing of Italy’s Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Calabria Film Commission—imagine that level of seriousness swimming among the olive oils of an Italian market.

With partners like Cinecittà, the Motion Picture Association, Producers Guild of America, France's CNC, Unifrance, and the UK’s BFI, you can be assured that the conversation will be both rich and savory—perhaps as rich as the wines flowing after the discussions wrap up.