Jan29
Story Forum Online
9:00AM - 10:00AM (PST)
Story Forum Event: Harnessing the Power of Virtual Production for Indie Filmmakers
With: Alyssa Boyle and 3 more
FREE
Story Forum Event: Harnessing the Power of Virtual Production for Indie Filmmakers
January 29, 2026
9:00AM - 10:00AM (PST)
9:00AM - 10:00AM (PST)
With: Alyssa Boyle, Declan Keeney, Jamie Harvey and Niamh Gormley
Virtual production (VP) offers filmmakers a new avenue to achieve high production value on a smaller budget. In this immersive introduction to the technology, attendees will receive a virtual tour of Studio Ulster, one of Europe’s most ambitious VP studios.
FREE
Jan29
Story Forum Online
10:30AM - 11:30AM (PST)
Story Forum Event: Behind the Short: GenAI Filmmaking and Collaborating With Your Team | Presented by Adobe
With: Taryn O’Neill and 4 more
FREE
Story Forum Event: Behind the Short: GenAI Filmmaking and Collaborating With Your Team | Presented by Adobe
January 29, 2026
10:30AM - 11:30AM (PST)
10:30AM - 11:30AM (PST)
With: Taryn O’Neill, Joanna Popper, Drigan Lee, Maddie Hong and Gina Garcia
Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at how generative tools can support independent artists in making their films, as the team behind the short film "MythOS" breaks down how they leveraged generative technologies, organized their workflows, and tackled key challenges.
FREE
Jan29
Story Forum Online
12:00PM - 1:00PM (PST)
Story Forum Event: Legal Toolkit for Producers Using AI
With: Elsa Ramo and Erica Elson
FREE
Story Forum Event: Legal Toolkit for Producers Using AI
January 29, 2026
12:00PM - 1:00PM (PST)
12:00PM - 1:00PM (PST)
With: Elsa Ramo and Erica Elson
As AI tools become more widely available, they also raise questions about ethical boundaries and legal concerns. Led by veteran entertainment attorney Elsa Ramo, this one-hour session will cover important guidelines to follow when using AI in your filmmaking workflow.
FREE
Jan29
Story Forum Online
1:30PM - 2:30PM (PST)
Story Forum Event: Truth, Reach, and Success: The Future of Documentary Storytelling
With: Geeta Gandbhir and 4 more
FREE
Story Forum Event: Truth, Reach, and Success: The Future of Documentary Storytelling
January 29, 2026
1:30PM - 2:30PM (PST)
1:30PM - 2:30PM (PST)
With: Geeta Gandbhir, Ryan White, R. J. Cutler, Maggie Pisacane and Sara Bernstein
Sara Bernstein, President of Imagine Documentaries, hosts a conversation with four panelists about the big question facing docs right now: Where's it all going? Expect honest insights, market reality, and a look at what’s next.
FREE
Jan29
Story Forum Online
3:00PM - 4:00PM (PST)
Story Forum Event: The Independent Screenwriter’s Guide to AI Assistance
With: Bryan Hill and 2 more
FREE
Story Forum Event: The Independent Screenwriter’s Guide to AI Assistance
January 29, 2026
3:00PM - 4:00PM (PST)
3:00PM - 4:00PM (PST)
With: Bryan Hill, Julius Pryor IV and Katherine Street
Find new ways to bring your ideas to life without waiting for a greenlight from the powers-that-be. In this session, you will discover how LLMs (Language Learning Models) can support your creative process in ideation, research, and drafting while maintaining authorship of your work.
FREE
Jan29
Story Forum Online
3:30PM - 5:30PM (PST)
Story Forum Event: Tackling the Ethics of AI Through the Making of GHOST IN THE MACHINE: Part 1
With: Alix Dunn and 5 more
FREE
Story Forum Event: Tackling the Ethics of AI Through the Making of GHOST IN THE MACHINE: Part 1
January 29, 2026
3:30PM - 5:30PM (PST)
3:30PM - 5:30PM (PST)
With: Alix Dunn, Alli Finn, Johnathan Flowers, Thema Monroe-White, Tiera Tanksley and Valerie Veatch
In the first of two Story Forum sessions, filmmaker Valerie Veatch will present a deep-dive into the making of her documentary as well as the technology’s implications with regards to racial discrimination and climate impact.
FREE
Jan29
Story Forum Online
4:30PM - 5:30PM (PST)
Story Forum Event: AI for Documentary Filmmakers: Research, Transcripts, and Trust
With: Kristina Budelis and Erica Elson
FREE
Story Forum Event: AI for Documentary Filmmakers: Research, Transcripts, and Trust
January 29, 2026
4:30PM - 5:30PM (PST)
4:30PM - 5:30PM (PST)
With: Kristina Budelis and Erica Elson
In this session, led by director, producer, and entrepreneur Kristina Budelis, you’ll learn some of the new ways documentary teams are using AI, with a focus on behind-the-scenes use.
FREE
Jan29
Story Forum Online
6:00PM - 7:00PM (PST)
Story Forum Event: The Poetry of the Prompt: AI Storytelling and the Making of ANCESTRA
With: Eliza McNitt and 2 more
FREE
Story Forum Event: The Poetry of the Prompt: AI Storytelling and the Making of ANCESTRA
January 29, 2026
6:00PM - 7:00PM (PST)
6:00PM - 7:00PM (PST)
With: Eliza McNitt, Ben Wiley and Soheil Rezayazdi
Emmy-nominated filmmaker Eliza McNitt and Ben Wiley (Creative Director, Google Creative Lab) unpack the creation of ANCESTRA, discussing how the pair blended live action performances with generative AI visuals to tell a deeply personal story.
FREE
Jan29
Story Forum Online
7:30PM - 8:30PM (PST)
Story Forum Event: Storycraft in the Age of AI: Narratology, Structure and the Human Voice
With: Joseph Couch and 2 more
FREE
Story Forum Event: Storycraft in the Age of AI: Narratology, Structure and the Human Voice
January 29, 2026
7:30PM - 8:30PM (PST)
7:30PM - 8:30PM (PST)
With: Joseph Couch, Mike S. Ryan and Alicia Van Couvering
This panel explores how narratology (the study of story structure, meaning, and form) can guide human-centered AI tools toward new plot structures for the modern age, beyond inherited templates like the Hero’s Journey.
FREE
Jan29
Story Forum Online
8:00PM - 9:00PM (PST)
Story Forum Event: Narrative Innovations: Personal Storytelling in the Indie Game Landscape
With: Abhi and 4 more
FREE
Story Forum Event: Narrative Innovations: Personal Storytelling in the Indie Game Landscape
January 29, 2026
8:00PM - 9:00PM (PST)
8:00PM - 9:00PM (PST)
With: Abhi, Julián Cordero, Tim Dawson, Wren Brier and Erica Elson
In this comprehensive panel featuring the artists behind several innovative indie games, you’ll hear a wide range of perspectives on narrative design, worldbuilding, and what goes into making a great game.
FREE
Jan30
Story Forum Online
7:00AM - 8:00AM (PST)
Story Forum Event: Tackling the Ethics of AI Through the Making of GHOST IN THE MACHINE: Part 2
With: Krystal Kauffman and 4 more
FREE
Story Forum Event: Tackling the Ethics of AI Through the Making of GHOST IN THE MACHINE: Part 2
January 30, 2026
7:00AM - 8:00AM (PST)
7:00AM - 8:00AM (PST)
With: Krystal Kauffman, Richard Mathenge, Milagros Miceli, Mophat Okinyi and Valerie Veatch
In the second of two Story Forum sessions, filmmaker Valerie Veatch will present a deep-dive into the making of her documentary as well as the technology’s implications with regards to labor issues.
FREE
Jan30
Story Forum Online
10:30AM - 11:30AM (PST)
Story Forum Event: Behind the Cut: An Inside Look at the Making of THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR | Presented by Adobe
With: Geeta Gandbhir and 2 more
FREE
Story Forum Event: Behind the Cut: An Inside Look at the Making of THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR | Presented by Adobe
January 30, 2026
10:30AM - 11:30AM (PST)
10:30AM - 11:30AM (PST)
With: Geeta Gandbhir, Viridiana Lieberman and Meagan Keane
This session highlights the tools, workflows, and editorial decisions that transformed raw material into a cohesive documentary, revealing how structure, iteration, and collaboration bring real-world stories into focus.
FREE
Jan30
Story Forum Online
12:00PM - 1:00PM (PST)
Story Forum Event: The Future of Storytelling with Charles Melcher
With: Charles Melcher and Erica Elson
FREE
Story Forum Event: The Future of Storytelling with Charles Melcher
January 30, 2026
12:00PM - 1:00PM (PST)
12:00PM - 1:00PM (PST)
With: Charles Melcher and Erica Elson
Storytelling is shifting from passive observation to immersive, participatory experience. How can creators adapt to this new frontier? Join Charles Melcher as he explores how interactivity and audience engagement are changing the media landscape.
FREE
Jan30
Story Forum Online
1:30PM - 2:30PM (PST)
Story Forum Event: The AI Landscape: Critical Debates and Creative Pathways for Independent Filmmakers
With: Alex Rivera and Soheil Rezayazdi
FREE
Story Forum Event: The AI Landscape: Critical Debates and Creative Pathways for Independent Filmmakers
January 30, 2026
1:30PM - 2:30PM (PST)
1:30PM - 2:30PM (PST)
With: Alex Rivera and Soheil Rezayazdi
In this session, Alex Rivera will deliver a presentation on how thoughtful, socially-engaged filmmakers can approach this moment in which AI has become ubiquitous in modern life.
FREE
Jan30
Story Forum Online
3:00PM - 4:00PM (PST)
Story Forum Event: The Long Game: Rian Johnson and Noah Segan on Storytelling and Collaboration
With: Rian Johnson and 2 more
FREE
Story Forum Event: The Long Game: Rian Johnson and Noah Segan on Storytelling and Collaboration
January 30, 2026
3:00PM - 4:00PM (PST)
3:00PM - 4:00PM (PST)
With: Rian Johnson, Noah Segan and Katherine Street
Join us for a deep dive into the actor/director relationship with Rian Johnson and Noah Segan, the lessons learned from decades on set, and their take on the future of independent cinema.
FREE
Jan30
Story Forum Online
4:30PM - 5:30PM (PST)
Story Forum Event: Designing Interactive Worlds Through Immersive Storytelling
With: Alton Glass and Erica Elson
FREE
Story Forum Event: Designing Interactive Worlds Through Immersive Storytelling
January 30, 2026
4:30PM - 5:30PM (PST)
4:30PM - 5:30PM (PST)
With: Alton Glass and Erica Elson
In this session, you’ll learn how to translate your unique voice across new tools and platforms and gain a greater understanding of how creators can successfully use virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality with intention to empower others.
FREE
Jan30
Story Forum Online
6:00PM - 7:00PM (PST)
Story Forum Event: The Generative Lens: Gary Hustwit on Storytelling Beyond the Timeline
With: Gary Hustwit and KD Daza
FREE
Story Forum Event: The Generative Lens: Gary Hustwit on Storytelling Beyond the Timeline
January 30, 2026
6:00PM - 7:00PM (PST)
6:00PM - 7:00PM (PST)
With: Gary Hustwit and KD Daza
In this moderated conversation, Hustwit will discuss how he conceptualized and created the film, the challenges of incorporating bespoke tech into his filmmaking practice, and his predictions on the future intersections of film and technology.
FREE
Jan30
Story Forum Online
7:30PM - 8:30PM (PST)
Story Forum Event: Reclaiming Storytelling in the Age of Infinite Content
With: Jim Festante and 3 more
FREE
Story Forum Event: Reclaiming Storytelling in the Age of Infinite Content
January 30, 2026
7:30PM - 8:30PM (PST)
7:30PM - 8:30PM (PST)
With: Jim Festante, Denver Humphrey, Shira Lazar and Justin Trevor Winters
This panel provides insights into how to bridge the gap between content creation and storytelling in the social media landscape.
FREE
Jan30
Story Forum Online
8:00PM - 9:00PM (PST)
Story Forum Event: No, Generative AI Doesn’t Kill Creativity
With: Henry Daubrez and Erica Elson
FREE
Story Forum Event: No, Generative AI Doesn’t Kill Creativity
January 30, 2026
8:00PM - 9:00PM (PST)
8:00PM - 9:00PM (PST)
With: Henry Daubrez and Erica Elson
Join us for a grounded exploration of creativity’s new frontier as Henry Daubrez, Resident Filmmaker and Creative Director at Google Labs, discusses why, despite powerful algorithms, the "human touch" remains the defining variable.
FREE