KEY TAKEAWAYS
AGENDA
21 May 2024
11:00 - 11:10
Opening Remarks
11:10 – 11:30
Opening Fireside Chat: Who is More
Original: Human vs AI
- How will Generative AI change the entertainment industry
- AI disrupting media and entertainment - How do we process it?
- Understand the opportunities and limitations of AI
11:30 – 12:10
Masterminds Chats: Learnings from Across
the Ocean
- The evolution of various cinema industries – taking cinema beyond the borders
- Advancements of technology across various film industries – Assimilation & Challenges with AI developments
- The big opportunity for OTT: Films & originals
- Deep dive into global productions and integration of AI techniques
- What are strategies for empowering the next generation of professionals, fostering creativity, and embracing innovation
- The growth of VFX as a tool for directors to be able to tell stories is still the dominant trend. Examine case studies of productions with the use of VFX & AI tools
12:10 – 12:30
Live Performance: Acoustic Bandura
12:30 – 12:55
Navigating New Horizons - the Future of
Media and Entertainment in MENA
- Media market prospects in the Middle East: comparative growth by segment, 2023-2027, MENA vs. Global
- Media sector trends - and implications/opportunities for the Middle East
- Role of government in media sector development
- Forecast and future outlook
13:00 – 13:40
Panel Discussion: Empowering Perspectives:
Women's Role and Representation in Media &
Entertainment
- Embracing diverse voices for greater inclusion
- How are women breaking into the big league? What are the challenges faced?
- What does the future of media hold? From platforms and changing distribution models, to reaching audiences
13:40 – 14:00
Mastermind Talks: BTS for Streaming in the
Middle East
- Challenges of fragmentation in an increasingly competitive marketplace
- Audience insights, AI and anthropology
- Content acquisition and cost of content
- Customer acquisition and costs associated with it
- Road towards profitability
14:00 – 14:20
Fireside Chat: The IP-Enabled Set-Top Box
Challenge: Solving for the Data Void That
Cripples Operators
- Service providers are losing subscribers to the cord cutting that results from the proliferation of IP streaming services, including off-the-shelf streaming sticks and Smart TVs. As providers enter the OTT market with IP-enabled set-top boxes (STBs), they face unique challenges because of unprecedented cost challenges, the complexities in providing TV-like quality across multi-modal delivery mechanisms, and ever more rich viewing experiences such as low latency, high frame rate, and personalized ads.
14:20 – 15:00
Panel: Crafting Expansive Universes in
Production
- Explore the creative use of emerging tech
- Now and the future of metaverse impacting production – film making for the unreal world
- Explore about authentic storytelling and algorithms
- How is AI changing fields of storytelling, dubbing and subtitling?
15:00 – 15:30
Panel Discussion:Streaming Wars: Is
Streaming Becoming the Future of Entertainment?
- How does streaming change how we make and watch shows compared to regular TV?
- How do new technologies help in creating and sharing content on streaming platforms?
- What challenges do content creators face in making money and gaining popularity on streaming platforms?
15:30 – 16:10
Panel Discussion: How does the MENA Watch
TV?
- FAST & furious growth: Which model is sustainable and profitable across territories?
- Future of linear TV - How fast is it dying?
- What are the strategies TV networks are adopting to sustain growth in linear TV?
- Is there a substantial difference in the way linear TV programming and channels are being curated?
- Is there still a large audience that watches linear TV and paying for it?
- Upcoming opportunities: identifying emerging trends and partnership opportunities that are created by AdTech in ad-supported content
- The revenue holds that linear television is getting into – how are they sustaining business sustainability? How does TV networks sustain advertisement revenue?
16:10 – 16:20
Closing Remarks
22 May 2024
10:50 - 11:00
Opening Remarks
11:00 – 11:50
Panel Discussion: The Arab Box Office: The
Future of Arabic Production
- Discussing the significance of establishing productive partnerships locally and internationally
- Examining the pillars of global competitiveness for the Arabic film industry
- Innovations and latest practices in cinematography and production
- Can Arabic production be shoulder to shoulder with Turkish & Korean content?
- How well is the Arab world garnered towards screenplay and scripts writing?
11:55 - 12:10
Fireside Chat: What AI could mean for the
Middle East Media Industry
- The role of media and current challenges to tradition media
- Tech trends shaping the industry – diversify, pivot, innovate
- Virtual production and audience of the future
- Overview of AI disruptions across the media industry - is it a viable proposition?
12:10 - 12:50
Panel Discussion: Driving the Creative
Economy: How is GCC Creating a New Hub for Film
Production
- Government Initiatives Driving Growth: Explore the various governmental policies and incentives that are attracting filmmakers to the GCC region
- Discuss the effectiveness of these initiatives in fostering a thriving film industry
- Delve into the infrastructure developments within the GCC region that support film production, such as state-of-the-art studios, post-production facilities, and specialized workforce training programs
- Cultural Representation in GCC Cinema
- Emerging Talent and Emerging Markets
- Technological Innovations in Film Production
- Impact of Streaming Platforms and Digital Distribution
- Future Trends and Outlook
12:50 - 13:10
The Evolution of Non-English Content in
MENA
- Non-English content demand has grown globally to 40%, marking a significant shift from 23% in 2018
- In the MENA region, over 50% of content demand is now for non-English titles, with Arabic content making up over a quarter of total demand – nearly doubling since 2022
- Asian-language TV content, with its age-agnostic storylines, has surged in popularity, with dramas like Squid Game, The Glory and Big Bet making international waves
- MENA audiences are increasingly drawn to animation, doubling its demand share to 12% in five years, due to its wide-ranging appeal across age groups
- The growing appetite for Arabic content highlights an opportunity for regional storytelling and global market penetration
13:10 - 13:30
Fireside Chat: Making a Global Service
Locally Relevant
- An overview of streaming in MENA
- Adapting a global platform for local audiences
- Importance of selecting and curating content in the Arab world
- Exploring localizing content and user experiences for the region
13:30 - 14:10
Panel Discussion: Generation Interrupted:
Curious Learners. Global Thinkers
- Kid’s content has become critical in streaming space – dive into new market dynamics
- How is Gen Z & Gen Alpha creating their niche for the TV industry in various markets?
- What will children's TV look like by 2030? – Mapping out the future of what kids and tweens want from the media industry
14:10 - 14:30
GenAI, Automatization,
Hyper-Personalization: Enhancing Media Workflows
for Higher Viewer Engagement
14:30 - 15:00
Panel Discussion: Unleashing the Potential
of Esports & Esports Production
- Telling stories across film and games - Generating mass impact through gameplay
- Investigating the capability of e-sport production and the future of entertainment
- How is Middle East positioned for the next wave of esports takeover?
- How big is the esports and esports production market and what is its growth potential?
15:00 - 15:20
AMA (Ask Me Anything) with Kabir Khan:
Script Writing and Direction
15:20 - 15:50
Panel Discussion: Sound Investment - The
Audio Revolution
- Breaking down the engagement of higher reach, higher targeted ads and higher capability.
- Audience of 2030: Hear from our audio experts on their predictions for interactive and higher engagement
- What is the audio industry's plans for the next 5 years?
15:50 - 16:20
Panel Discussion: Breaking News: Newsrooms
Existential Face-Off
- With AI takeover, how do newsrooms see revenue growth and profitability in the short to medium term?
- Understanding the massive transformation that Generative AI promises to bring to content creation. What are the plans for print & digital media?
- Fake News Epidemic: Navigating Misinformation in Today's Media Landscape
- The Role of AI in elections and how broadcasters are combatting misinformation and deep fakes
- The new format of news: there are over 300 new channels on YouTube. How does TV news networks adapt or compete with short forms of news
- What is the future of breaking news if everything is online? How does TV network cope up with the speed of breaking news?
16:20 - 16:30
Closing Remarks
23 May 2024
11:00 - 11:10
Opening Remarks
11:10 – 12:10
Masterclass: How to Create a Video
Entirely Using AI.
- This workshop will guide participants through an exploration of various AI tools that enhance video production processes. Attendees will be taken on a comprehensive journey, starting from idea research and scriptwriting, to generating footage and editing, and culminating in the use of AI voices and the creation of a new, faceless YouTube channel. Participants will gain insights into valuable AI tools and learn how to maximize their potential in content creation, social media management, and the development of creatives for advertising purposes.
12:10 - 13:10
Meet The in5 Startups
13:10 - 14:10
Masterclass: The Making of VFX for a Film
that has over 4500 Visual Effects Shots
- The VFX for "Ayalaan" involved a collaborative and meticulous process, blending creativity and technology to bring the film's visionary world to life. The film has over 4500 visual effects shots, the most for an Indian film. Learn how PhantomFX’s team worked on every aspect, from initial concept to final rendering, to deliver an immersive cinematic experience. Besides providing visual effects, Phantom FX also co-produced the film through Phantom FX Studios, which would mark their first production
14:10 - 14:20
Closing Remarks
