The Conversations Driving Entertainment
The entertainment industry is evolving faster than ever. New technologies are changing how content is created. New business models are reshaping investment and distribution. Brands are becoming entertainment partners. Creators are building global IP. AI is transforming every stage of the content lifecycle.
From the future of global distribution and financing to the Creator Economy, AI and emerging content models, MIPCOM explores the trends, opportunities and partnerships shaping the next chapter of entertainment.
How are broadcasters, studios, streamers, producers, distributors and investors adapting to an increasingly connected entertainment landscape?
Explore the ideas and strategies driving growth, international expansion and new commercial opportunities across the global entertainment business.
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Discover the creative ideas, talent and intellectual property shaping the next generation of global entertainment—from premium drama and factual programming to creator-led entertainment, brands and emerging formats.
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The gateway to the global content business where studios, platforms, broadcasters, creators, brands and AI innovators choose to meet each year.
AI is reshaping every stage of the entertainment value chain. From content creation and production to localisation, rights management, distribution and monetisation, AI is creating new opportunities across the global entertainment business.
Launching at MIPCOM CANNES 2026, the MIP AI Entertainment Forum brings together studios, technology companies, platforms, creators, brands and content owners to explore practical applications, discover emerging technologies and build the partnerships defining the next generation of entertainment.
Why Attend?
The MIP AI Entertainment Forum is designed for entertainment businesses looking to understand how AI is moving from experimentation to commercial reality.
Whether you're developing content, producing at scale, managing rights or building new revenue opportunities, the Forum connects you with the people and technologies transforming the industry.
Creation & Storytelling
Discover how AI is supporting script development, creative workflows, localisation and new storytelling formats.
Production & Workflow
Explore technologies improving production efficiency, metadata, virtual production and operational workflows.
Licensing & Distribution
Understand how AI is changing rights management, discoverability, content libraries and global monetisation.
Experience
Entertainment has become one of the most powerful ways for brands to connect with audiences.
MIP BrandWorks connects brands, agencies, creators, studios, platforms and rights holders to develop original IP, finance premium entertainment and create long-term commercial partnerships.
Why Attend?
Discover how entertainment partnerships create value for audiences, creators and brands alike.
Meet the decision-makers developing the next generation of branded entertainment.
Brand Showcase
Learn from brands investing in entertainment.
CXO Summit
Invitation-only leadership forum.
Brand x Creator Pitch Fest
Live development marketplace.
Curated Matchmaking
Meet the right partners.
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The MIP Innovation Lab is where the entertainment industry experiences what's next.
Bringing together AI innovators, technology companies, studios, broadcasters, streamers and creators, it showcases the tools and technologies transforming the future of content.
Discover technologies you can apply today. Meet the companies shaping tomorrow.
Experience
The MIP Creative Hub is where creativity becomes opportunity.
Bringing together creators, producers, studios and emerging entertainment businesses, it provides a collaborative environment to discover new talent, explore original ideas and develop partnerships that turn creative ambition into commercial success.
Why Visit?
The Creative Hub connects creative ambition with commercial opportunity.
Whether you're developing new IP, building creator partnerships or discovering emerging talent, this is where conversations begin.
Experience
Everything at MIPCOM is designed to help you discover what's next, build valuable partnerships and turn ideas into commercial opportunity.
Whether you're looking for your next acquisition, your next investment, your next creative partner or your next growth opportunity, MIPCOM brings together the people, ideas and experiences that move entertainment businesses forward.
Discover new ideas. Meet the people shaping what's next. Build partnerships that drive business.
Scale your opportunities.
Utopai Studios and Versos AI join as Headline Partners, with Protege as Official Partner.
HappyClient, Lingopal.AI, LoglineAI and Massif Network are also among the first companies confirmed for the Forum.
Launching at MIPCOM CANNES 2026, the MIP AI Entertainment Forum will bring media and technology leaders together to explore how AI is changing the way content is developed, produced, distributed and monetised. The new conference and marketplace will connect studios, streamers, producers, creators, brands and IP owners with the companies developing the next generation of AI solutions.
The programme will focus on three areas where AI is already creating tangible opportunities:
What does a studio designed for the AI era look like? In this opening-day keynote, Cecilia Shen will explore how original IP, human creativity, production expertise and proprietary cinematic technology can combine to create a new model for entertainment.
Drawing on Utopai Studios’ approach to AI-enabled, long-form storytelling, the session will examine how content owners, filmmakers and creative partners can develop more ambitious stories, build entertainment worlds at greater scale and bring film, television and digital content to global audiences in new ways.
Cecilia Shen
Co-Founder and CEO, Utopai Studios
Launching at MIPCOM CANNES 2026, MIP BrandWorks will connect brands and agencies directly with studios, producers, streamers, creators, IP rightsholders and commissioners to develop, finance and scale entertainment content.
Co-produced with branded-content pioneer Doug Scott, Co-Founder of UNXNOWN, the three-day programme will help brands move beyond individual campaigns to create always-on programming, develop original formats and build long-term value through entertainment IP.
MIP BrandWorks will combine main-stage keynotes, data-led insights and brand showcases with curated matchmaking and private dealmaking. Dedicated sessions will cover scripted and unscripted content, microdrama, vertical series and creator-led entertainment, creating a direct route from creative ideas to partnerships and production.
Inside MIP Brandworks
Doug Scott
Co-Founder of UNXNOWN
With the new shifts in TV and video consumption habits, what are the main challenges and opportunities for traditional broadcasters and the pure digital players?
Get key insights into ratings around the world: How to cope with a reduced linear TV consumption? What makes IP’s stand out in a crowded market? How to deal with dwindling revenue in a time of streaming wars? Looking at audience habits, programming strategies, content trends and successful new launches, this exclusive presentation will provide different ways succeed with audiences in a fast-changing industry.
Pedro Pina
Vice President, YouTube EMEA
Justin Connolly
Vice President, YouTube Global Head of Media & Sports
Confirmed participants include executives from HOLYWATER TECH, RisingJoy, GammaTime, COL Group, NetShort, Y+X Entertainment and Second Rodeo Productions.
Vertical storytelling is becoming one of the entertainment industry’s fastest-growing business sectors. MIPCOM CANNES 2026 will connect platforms, producers, distributors, creators, technology companies and investors to explore scalable formats, international licensing and new revenue opportunities.
The programme will also feature an invitation-only Global Microdrama & Vertical Leaders’ Summit and a new Vertical Content Speed Matchmaking category. Qualified buyers, platforms, producers and distributors will be matched for targeted conversations around content sourcing, licensing and partnerships.
Dedicated crossovers with Creator-Led Entertainment and MIP BrandWorks will further explore how creators, platforms and brands can use vertical storytelling to build audiences and develop commercially valuable IP.
How quickly can a real-world event become a cinematic experience? Anthony E. Zuiker, creator of the CSI television franchise, will introduce Cinemalistics to the global entertainment industry.
Designed for breaking true-crime stories, the platform uses AI to produce a motion-picture interpretation and a short-documentary version of a nationally significant case within hours of events unfolding.
The keynote will offer a first look at how Cinemalistics brings together the immediacy of breaking news, factual storytelling and AI-enabled production to create a new type of audience experience.
Anthony E. Zuiker
Creator of the CSI Television Franchise
As vertical series move from mobile-first experimentation to a scalable global business, what can the wider entertainment industry learn from the platforms leading their growth?
Anatolii Kasianov will join international industry leaders to explore how original IP, repeatable formats, data-led audience insights and AI-enabled production can support the next generation of vertical entertainment.
Drawing on HOLYWATER TECH’s experience across vertical streaming, serialised fiction and AI-assisted content, the session will examine new approaches to production, distribution, monetisation and international audience development.
Anatolii Kasianov
Co-Founder and Co-CEO, HOLYWATER TECH
MIPCOM CANNES will also partner with The Media Odyssey podcast for a special recording examining the era of premium vertical television.
Guy Hameiri
RoseBerry Media CEO and Co-Founder
Lior Friedman
Head of Business Development and Co-Founder RoseBerry Media
Evan Shapiro
Media Cartographer, ESHAP
Bela Bajaria
Chief Content Officer at Netflix
The Variety Vanguard Award recognises television industry leaders who have made a significant contribution to the global entertainment business and is presented each October by Variety and MIPCOM CANNES at the Palais des Festivals.
This year, we are delighted to recognise the achievements of Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix and one of the most influential executives in global entertainment.
Since joining Netflix in 2016, Bajaria has played a central role in the streaming service’s global expansion, overseeing the acquisition and production of films and television programmes across a multitude of languages and regions. She was appointed Chief Content Officer in 2023, following senior leadership roles at CBS Entertainment and NBCUniversal.
The award will be presented on the opening day of MIPCOM CANNES, Monday 12 October, as media and content executives from around the world gather to explore the future of entertainment, emerging business models and new monetisation opportunities. As part of the presentation, Bajaria will join Variety Co-Editor-in-Chief Cynthia Littleton for an exclusive on-stage interview at the Palais des Festivals.
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