The launch of PLOT NEXT reflects a growing awareness that the current wave of innovation driven by AI is no longer a future scenario but an ongoing reality that is already reshaping the way content is conceived, developed and produced. While sectors such as gaming, design and marketing have rapidly embraced these technologies, the audiovisual industry is now entering a phase in which AI is beginning to influence every stage of the value chain, from early development and scriptwriting to pre- and post-production, including sound design, dubbing and marketing, as well as opening the door to entirely new forms of creative expression. In this rapidly evolving context, the need for structured dialogue, shared knowledge and critical reflection has become increasingly urgent, and PLOT NEXT aims to respond precisely to this demand by creating a dedicated space that connects research, experimentation and practical application across disciplines.
Designed as a cross-industry initiative, the conference brings together perspectives from film, art and technology in a way that goes beyond the traditional boundaries of sector-specific events. Rather than isolating the topic of AI within a single panel or thematic strand, PLOT NEXT builds an entire programme around the integration of technological innovation into storytelling, offering a coherent framework in which different viewpoints can converge. The result is a two-day event that combines keynotes, panels and case studies with a strong emphasis on real-world applications, featuring around thirty leading international speakers who are directly involved in shaping the future of the industry.
Among the contributors already confirmed are representatives from organisations such as the BBC, UFA Serial Drama, CoSTAR Network, Ukbar Films, Hyperbowl Penzing, Storybook Studios, Flappers VFX & Film, BetaSeries and Studio Hamburg Serienwerft, reflecting the diversity of expertise required to navigate this transformation. Their participation underlines the extent to which AI is no longer confined to experimental environments but is becoming embedded in mainstream production workflows and strategic planning processes. Insights from BBC Research & Development and the UK’s CoSTAR Network, for example, will offer a concrete overview of how AI tools are currently being implemented in audiovisual production, while industry figures such as Guido Reinhardt from UFA Fiction will address the implications of these technologies for broadcasters and production companies operating in an increasingly competitive landscape.
At the same time, the programme highlights the growing importance of practical experimentation and hands-on experience. Showrunner Pandora da Cunha Telles will present the use of generative AI in the Portuguese Netflix series La Marquise, opening a discussion on how creative processes are being reconfigured in real productions, while VFX specialist Max Barkman will contribute a technical perspective on how these developments are impacting workflows and professional hierarchies. Similarly, Jan Diepers from Studio Hamburg Serienwerft will provide insight into the integration of AI tools within the writers’ room of Rote Rosen, illustrating how even traditionally collaborative and human-centred environments are beginning to evolve. The inclusion of experts such as Italian AI specialist Davide Tromba further emphasises the emergence of hybrid production models that combine animation, visual effects and live action, requiring new skill sets and redefining established roles within the industry.
What distinguishes PLOT NEXT from other initiatives is its clear focus on bridging theory and practice. Rather than approaching AI as a purely speculative or polarising topic, the conference seeks to ground the discussion in concrete use cases and operational realities, reflecting a broader shift within the industry towards the integration of these technologies into existing production pipelines. As Head of PLOT NEXT Gerhard Maier points out, generative AI may still provoke strong reactions, but its growing presence within everyday workflows is undeniable, with far-reaching consequences for both creative processes and business models..
The event is supported by the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW as its main funding partner, PLOT NEXT aligns with a wider effort to place th
credit photo: Midpoint Institute
