Two October Panels on AI and Filmmaking

Excited to join filmmakers for two panels this October: the Santa Cruz Film Festival on October 18 and Epic ACG Fest in Dublin, California, on October 24!

People who are pro-AI and anti-AI in the creative arts and media have really dug into their positions, and it directly affects the work we do. I've had to navigate that inside both Hollywood and the advertising and marketing world. But are the ways we approach this changing?

Santa Cruz Film Festival: Brunch with Benefits, AI Panel

That's the conversation we're having on Sunday, October 18, with Nico Maffey, Anthony Garcia, Carolina Castilla, and Toby Corey.

A while back, I presented Democratizing Hollywood: Envisioning a Future with Singular AI-Driven Film Creation at USC's ShowCAIS. I was excited about how technology could help creators without connections or wealth finally bring their ideas to life.

Two things have set me apart in the GenAI space. First, I come from the creative world and know my community. Second, I've been clear from the start that I want to level the playing field and help the creator.

That's been a key part of getting skeptics to buy in. We'll see how the creatives in the room take it on Sunday, because the game is always changing.

• Sunday, October 18, 2026
• Brunch with Benefits and AI panel: 11 a.m.–2 p.m. PT
• Hotel Paradox, 611 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, California
• Festival details and tickets

Epic ACG Fest: AI for Filmmakers

On Saturday, October 24, I'll be talking practical GenAI production with filmmakers and studios at Epic ACG Fest in Dublin, California.

Story, taste, and delivery still very much sit with the producer, and the final call is often ours.

So when do we believe something is good enough and push it out, versus going the extra mile to make something special? We always want to make something that is top of the line, but in this current climate, sometimes we discover that to get something special, you can't always be perfect.

• Saturday, October 24, 2026
• 12:30–2 p.m. PT
• Dublin Technology Center, 6200 Village Parkway, Dublin, California
• Program and speaker details

Looking forward to talking about it all. If you're in the area, come join us!

Stephen