Presented by:

The AI Forum closes out the Summit by exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping the screen sector - from documentary storytelling and film festivals to production, distribution, and audience engagement. Centred on the belief that AI should advance, not replace, human creativity, the forum examines how this profound acceleration of human productivity can empower artists, expand creative possibilities, and transform storytelling - while addressing the ethical frameworks, safeguards, and industry standards needed to ensure responsible adoption. 

✭ ONLY Attendees with High Tea Tickets will be seated at tables. Summit Passholders without a High Tea Service ticket will be seated in lecture style seating.

Documentary filmmaking draws its authority from the camera as a witness to what is real, and artificial intelligence is now testing that authority at its foundation. Funding for long-form documentaries in Canada has declined by 38% in real dollars over the past decade, leaving filmmakers with fewer resources at the very moment synthetic media has become more accessible and more convincing. AI can protect vulnerable subjects, restore archival material, improve accessibility, and lower barriers for emerging and racialized creators. Yet it can also fabricate archival footage, automate research and editing, and erode the audience trust on which documentaries depend. While recent CRTC policy affirms that key creative roles in Canadian productions must remain human-led, it does not currently require disclosure when synthetic images or voices are used. This panel asks a defining question for documentary filmmaking: in a genre built on truth, how do we preserve trust when seeing is no longer believing?

Moderated by:

As artificial intelligence reshapes screen storytelling, film festivals are grappling with new questions around eligibility, transparency, authorship, and audience trust. While few festivals have formal AI policies, the need for thoughtful frameworks is growing.

This panel brings together festival leaders, programmers, funders, and industry organizations to explore how they are approaching AI-assisted and AI-generated works. Discussion will cover disclosure, creator attribution, intellectual property, audience expectations, and the role of human creativity in programming decisions.

Rather than offering definitive answers, the session invites an open dialogue on how festivals can balance innovation with artistic integrity, develop responsible policies, and maintain public trust as AI becomes an increasingly important part of the screen industry.

Moderated by:

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how film, television, and digital content are developed, produced, and delivered. This session explores how creators, studios, and production teams are integrating AI into real-world workflows across development, pre-visualization, production, post-production, marketing, and audience engagement. Panelists will examine how AI is being used to streamline processes, accelerate timelines, reduce costs, and unlock new creative possibilities for projects of all sizes. Through practical examples and case studies, attendees will gain insights into the tools, workflows, and implementation strategies shaping the future of content creation, as well as new opportunities for independent creators and smaller production companies.

Moderated by: