More related content on the BRIDGE
- Picture Fireside 8 December 4:25 - 4:40PM
How To Build a Friendly City for Filmmakers
What does it take for a city to become a true hub for world-class filmmaking? Drawing on decades of experience producing global blockbusters, Tommy Harper offers a producer’s view of how cities can attract major productions and the talent behind them. This session explores the essentials: reliable infrastructure, streamlined logistics, supportive policy, strong creative pipelines, and environments where filmmakers feel empowered to create. How can cities move from being locations to becoming partners in storytelling, and engines of global cultural influence?
Central StageModerator
- Creator Economy Fireside 9 December 12:50 - 1:05PM
What Happens When Creators Become Policymakers?
In 2024, YouTuber Fidias Panayiotou and Spanish influencer Alvise Pérez were elected to the European Parliament, marking a conversion of digital virality into political authority. Their rise, fueled by massive online followings and anti-establishment narratives, reflects a growing appetite among younger voters for alternative forms of representation. How will this new wave of leadership reshape democratic institutions, accountability, and public trust?
Central Stage - Media Workshop 8 December 10:30 - 11:10AM
Podcasting & Media Appearances: On-Air with Confidence
Gain practical skills for delivering engaging podcasts and media appearances, focusing on voice control, messaging, and audience connection. Trainer: Shatha Haddad, Sky News Arabia
IMI Academy - Marketing Panel 8 December 4:10 - 4:40PM
Tuning for Virality
In a world where attention shifts in seconds, creators and brands must optimize content with the same precision and speed as performance marketers. With AI-driven tools now boosting engagement by 25% and cutting production time in half, the line between creative instinct and data science is disappearing. Leaders like Saif Jarad—who built one of the region’s most awarded performance agencies and pioneered early Google and Facebook Ads innovation—embody this shift. This session explores how creators can apply performance marketing principles, real-time insights, and AI-enhanced optimization to stay discoverable, credible, and ahead of the curve in an algorithm-driven landscape.
Academy StageSpeakers
- Creator Economy Panel 9 December 11:15 - 11:35AM
The New Powerbrokers of Philanthropy
Public figures are reshaping philanthropy, blending entertainment with impact and challenging traditional giving models. MrBeast’s YouTube charity has raised millions, while TikTok fundraisers now rival institutional campaigns in reach and speed. As creators build direct pipelines to donors and causes, what standards, partnerships, or guardrails could help ensure transparency, effectiveness, and lasting impact? Could creator-led giving become a new blueprint for global generosity at scale?
Impact StageSpeakers
- Media Panel 8 December 5:40 - 6:10PM
The Art of Conversation
In a world defined by noise, speed, and polarization, meaningful dialogue has never been more essential—or more rare. This session brings together leading voices from media, culture, and public life to reflect on the craft of conversation: how empathy, curiosity, and listening can rebuild understanding in an age of constant broadcast. Through their experiences, they explore how dialogue can bridge divides, shape narratives, and remind us of our shared humanity.
Central StageSpeakers