How Cinema changes the World!
Last week, we celebrated the third iteration of our innovation conference #CinemaVision2030 – what a fantastic way to kick off #Berlinale2025!
How can cinemas adapt and thrive in an era of rapid technological change? What does the change mean for the future of cinema? For our communities? For the way we connect with audiences?
These questions formed the heart of the conference’s discussions, as we focused on reimagining the role of cinemas in this evolving landscape.
Pulitzer Prize-winner Walter Hickey set the tone with an exceptional keynote that left us all inspired and impressed. His perspective on the power of storytelling, the importance of shared spaces and human connection and reminded us why cinema holds such a unique place in our lives.
A special thanks to Tricia Tuttle, who shared her insights on the interconnectedness of cinemas and festivals. I was also really happy that David Larkin (Letterboxd) could join us, as we’ve had the pleasure to work together for quite some time now. The day wrapped up with Thierry Frémaux, who reminded us that while everything around us changes, the timeless magic of the cinema experience remains as powerful than ever.
A huge round of appreciation to our outstanding speakers who made the day truly memorable. Thank you to: Martin Ruiter, Leo Brend, Renaud Derbin, Natália Centková, Züleyha Azman, Enrique Costa Rios, Philip Knatchbull, Gabriele D'Andrea, Jack Reid Bell, Butheina Hamed Kazim, Olimpia Pont Cháfer, Patrick von Sychowski and Jan Runge.
I'm also incredibly thankful to our media partners – Blickpunkt:Film, THE SPOT media & film and Screen International – for amplifying the reach and impact of #CinemaVision2030. Many thanks as well to our sponsors – Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, MUBI, Comscore, Inc. and International Cinema Technology Association - ICTA – for making this event possible.
Lastly, a special thank you to our incredible moderator, Ute Soldierer, for weaving together the day’s themes with such precision and expertise.
The pace of change has accelerated, and as we look toward the second half of this decade, we're facing new waves of transformation - something we were able to observe clearly last week at the AI Summit in Paris and at the Munich Security Conference. These shifts make it even more urgent to support European works and the industrial and artistic ecosystem from which they originate. The cultural and economic sovereignty of European countries depends on it.
While we recognize the challenges ahead, the opportunities for innovation, collaboration and audience engagement are boundless. I’m excited to continue shaping this future together with all of you.
📷 Harald Fuhr Stefan Zeitz
Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) AG Kino - Gilde e.V. CICAE International Confederation of Arthouse Cinemas Europa Cinemas Filmförderungsanstalt FFA Die Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien DIHK