The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) hosted the Access Canada Summit, presented by The Hollywood Reporter (THR), where industry leaders, creatives, and journalists convened to discuss thriving in a rapidly evolving global entertainment landscape. Amid Hollywood’s shifting paradigms, the summit highlighted globalization, co-productions, and a theatrical resurgence as key trends shaping the industry’s future.
Globalization Redefines the Entertainment Landscape
The entertainment industry is undergoing a seismic shift, with traditional business models in flux. “Every business model we thought was set in stone is up for grabs,” said Scott Roxborough, THR’s European bureau chief, during a panel. Independent filmmaking struggles to find viable financial structures, commercial television faces decline, and studios grapple with chaos. Yet, this upheaval presents opportunities for innovation. Maer Roshan, THR’s Editor-in-Chief, emphasized the growing influence of global markets, noting the dominance of South Korean films and music in American culture. THR’s expansion into international editions in Spain, Japan, India, Italy, and soon the U.K. reflects this global focus. Roshan, born outside the U.S., underscored the importance of embracing worldwide perspectives to stay relevant in a borderless industry.
Co-Productions Fuel Creative and Financial Success
With rising costs and shrinking budgets, international co-productions have become essential for sharing risks and rewards. A prime example is Netflix’s North of North, a comedy set in Canada’s Arctic, co-produced with CBC and APTN. Sally Catto, CBC’s general manager of entertainment, factual, and sports, highlighted the value of creative partnerships over mere financial pooling. “It’s about overseeing the creative process together. That’s real progress,” she said. Canadian executives at the summit, like Justin Stockman of Bell Media, promoted Canada’s production hubs in Toronto and Vancouver, emphasizing partnerships with global stars and studios. Bell Media’s deals with Lionsgate, Elliot Page’s Pageboy Productions, Seth Rogen’s Point Grey Pictures, and others aim to repatriate Canadian talent for high-caliber projects, amplifying their global reach through international collaborations.
Theatrical Resurgence Sparks Optimism
The summit also spotlighted a revival in theatrical releases, with audiences, particularly younger viewers, returning to cinemas. Mia Galuppo, a THR film writer, noted that filmmakers are increasingly prioritizing theatrical releases over lucrative streaming deals. Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights, for instance, opted for a Warner Bros. theatrical run over a Netflix release, following the success of Brad Pitt’s F1. Re-releases like Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, drawing younger audiences, and K-pop Demon Hunters, Netflix’s most-viewed film with a sing-along theatrical version, underscore this trend. However, Steven Zeitchik, THR’s senior editor, cautioned that studios might favor safe bets like sequels over original content, potentially limiting creative discovery in theaters. Despite this, the box office rebound signals a positive feedback loop, with consistent tentpole releases driving revenue.
The Access Canada Summit also provided networking opportunities for emerging creators to connect with established players, fostering discussions on trends like artificial intelligence and cross-border collaborations. Jennifer Abram of Corus Entertainment highlighted a shift from owning all content rights to embracing partnerships that enhance creative and commercial outcomes. “The collaboration makes ideas bigger, bringing Canadian content to global stages,” she said. As Hollywood navigates this transformative era, the summit underscored the power of adaptability, global partnerships, and a renewed focus on theatrical experiences to shape a resilient future for the entertainment industry.
