Future of Film Podcast

In this episode, Alex Stolz speaks with Guy Gadney, CEO and founder of Charismatic.ai, about how generative AI is being used not just to assist, but to co-create stories in bold new ways. Charismatic — a spin-out from a major UK R&D consortium with Channel 4 and Aardman — has developed a platform that enables creators to develop structured, consistent narratives from the seed of an idea, with real-time iteration and animated playthroughs. The result? A system that’s making storytelling more accessible, scalable, and personalized than ever before. We explore how this technology could unlock new opportunities for storytellers globally, from neurodiverse creators to grassroots communities, and what the rise of microdramas — short, serialized, mobile-native stories — means for audience engagement, monetization, and the next wave of creator-owned IP. Guy also shares his candid views on AI, authenticity, and why creators must act now to ensure the future of content is not just automated — but equitable. About Guy Gadney Guy is CEO and Founder of Charismatic.ai which is at the forefront of Creative AI. He has run three start-ups as well as working for international media and telco organisations. With Charismatic.ai, Guy is transforming the use of AI in film, television and video games, focusing on the power of good storytelling and bridging the gap between the creative and technology industries. He has produced Emmy and BAFTA-nominated digital productions, and interactive narratives for Warner Bros, Dreamworks, Sky and the BBC, as well as the award-winning AI game adaptation of John Wyndham’s The Kraken Wakes. Guy is on Innovate UK’s BridgeAI Advisory Board, a Trustee of Sheffield Doc Fest, on the Board of Oxford’s Story Museum, and a co-founder of The Collaborative AI Consortium in 2019, researching the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Creative Industries.​ You can find out more about Charasmatic AI at www.charasmatic.ai. www.futureoffilm.live 2025

In this episode of Future of Film Podcast, we’re joined by Fiona Gillies and Mahesh Ramachandra, co-founders of SMASH — the innovative platform that’s transforming how creators connect with industry decision-makers. SMASH is rethinking the pitching process from the ground up—offering creators a structured, accessible space to build and share their projects, while helping commissioners and buyers discover the stories they’re truly looking for. In this conversation, Fiona and Mahesh share the origin story of Smash, explore how AI and smart data are shaping the future of development, and offer practical advice for filmmakers looking to sharpen their pitches and navigate the industry with confidence. We also discuss the art (and pain) of writing a great logline, how to stand out in a crowded marketplace, and why the future of pitching is all about transparency, connection, and creator empowerment. This episode was recorded as part of Future of Film Africa 2024 in partnership with Sèmè City of the Republic of Benin. About Fiona Gillies - Indie Producer & SMASH co-founder Fiona has produced award winning features and shorts. The Beat Beneath my Feet was in competition in the Berlinale, and her debut feature City Slacker was nominated for a BIFA. She began her career with director Roger Michell at the RSC and has worked extensively both in front and behind the camera. She co-founded SMASH, the Rights and IP Marketplace, with fellow producer Christine Hartland and digital pioneer Mahesh Ramachandra to encourage new, diverse talent to engage with decision makers. About Mahesh Ramachandra – Co-founder / CPO Mahesh is a digital product expert with 25 years of experience building and operating B2B SaaS and B2C entertainment services around the world. He focuses on early-stage products and companies, specialising in product conceptualisation, building teams, lean development, finding product-market fit, and scaling to success. Mahesh recently led the pre-school mobile app studio at eOne (Hasbro) and was previously Chief Product Officer at KidsKnowBest, Azoomee and Hopster, the award-winning SVOD service for kids. Prior to that, he developed and operated live interactive television programmes globally for almost 10 years, following stints in edtech and running his own interactive media studio. Mahesh is a regular speaker at industry conferences such as Kidscreen and the Edinburgh Television Festival and has been a judge for the Interactive Emmy Awards. He is a mentor with the BYP (Black Young Professionals) Network and is a team advisor with Antler Incubator. Mahesh has an MA in Design for Interactive Media from Middlesex University. My SMASH Media won a Gold Award for Tech Innovation at Cannes NEXT, the Innovation section of the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Check out SMASH at www.mysmash.media

In this episode, CJ "Fiery" Obasi, the visionary filmmaker behind MAMI WATA, discusses his creative journey, the cultural narratives that shape his work and the commercial and creative path of a storyteller. CJ reflects on his early influences, including a passion for Hammer Horror films and Stephen King novels, and how these elements have informed his unique storytelling approach. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of bringing MAMI WATA to life, a film that intertwines African folklore with contemporary themes, and shares insights into the significance of genre filmmaking within the African cinema landscape. The conversation also explores the business of being a storyteller and entrepreneur, the future of African screen storytelling, and the evolving role of technology and AI in filmmaking. About C.J. Obasi C.J. Obasi also known as “Fiery” or “The Fiery One” wrote and directed the feature films OJUJU & O-TOWN, both of which has screened in many festivals, including the Gothenburg Film Festival and Fantasia Film Festival, garnering acclaim from the likes of Screen Anarchy, IndieWire, & The Hollywood Reporter. He has won the African Movie Academy Awards (African Oscars), and the Trailblazer Award at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards AMVCA). OJUJU is listed in IndieWire’s Best Zombie Films Of All Time. His short film “Hello, Rain” premiered in the International Competition of Oberhausen, and in over 30 festivals like Fantasia Film Festival, where it won the Special Mention of the Jury prize, and the BFI London Film Festival where it was nominated for the Short Film Award. In 2016, he formed Surreal16 Collective with filmmakers Abba T. Makama and Michael to challenge the status quo of Nollywood filmmaking and Nigerian Film expectations. Their anthology film, Juju Stories won the Boccalino D’Oro Award for Best Film at Locarno Film Festival, and was aquired globally by Amazon Prime Video. Obasi’s latest work, MAMI WATA premiered at the Sundance Film Festival 2023, where it won the Jury Award for Cinematography, as well as in FESPACO, where it won the Best Image, Best Décor and the African Critics Prize. MAMI WATA was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award and for an NAACP Image Award. It was Nigeria's Official entry for the Academy Awards. MAMI WATA was acquired by Mubi, and has since been distributed theatrically, SVOD and Blu-Ray, DVDs in more than 25 territories, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, France, Brazil and Australia. Obasi was recently invited by the Rockefeller Foundation to participate as a cohort of the Bellagio Residency at Lake Como, Italy with his feature film project, LA PYRAMIDE: A CELEBRATION OF DARK BODIES. He is a voting member of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences (Oscars).

"Africa and African stories could be the future of storytelling." Hamid Ibrahim This episode is a deep dive into entrepreneurship, creativity and storytelling with Hamid Ibrahim, the Co-Founder and CEO of Kugali Media. Kugali hit the headlines last year when they became the first company to collaborate with Walt Disney Animation on an African story. IWAJU, the futuristic animated series, was the result of that partnership premiered to acclaim in 2024 on Disney+. In the conversation, Hamid describes his inspirational career path that took him from working in visual effects on some of Hollywood's biggest titles to beginning his own enterprise, initially with innovative graphic novels and highly effective crowdfunding campaigns. We also explore the scope of African storytelling, the challenges associated with building a business, AR and why AI presents an unprecedented opportunity for original creative entrepreneurs and storytellers. This episode is presented in part of Future of Film Africa 2024, presented in partnership with Sèmè City, the Republic of Benin. More about Hamid Ibrahim Hamid Ibrahim is a multi award winning Artist who focuses on creative leadership and innovation. He is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kugali Media, a visual entertainment company that focuses on authentic African visual storytelling. Hamid has worked in the highest levels of visual entertainment in Hollywood blockbusters like Lion King (2019), Dumbo (2019), The Predator (2018), The Darkest Minds (2018), Dolittle (2020) and most recently a first of its kind collaboration with Disney Animation Studios, an African created series called Iwaju. Iwaju marks the first time in Walt Disney’s 100 year history to collaborate with an outside studio (Kugali) to create an original animation. Hamid was able to win the Alumnus of the year Award from University of Hertfordshire in 2021 and made it to the list of the MIPAD 100 most influential persons of African Descent list in 2024. www.futureoffilm.live

This episode explores the intersection of human creativity and AI technology. Filmmakers Jonathan Keasey and Justin MacGregor who are partnering with Phil Egger of J4 on a slate of films assisted by cutting edge AI technology. Entitled Hum.AI.ne Entertainment, their new initiative is focused on the ethical use of AI in the creative process and reflects Jonathan's journey from 'intentional Luddite' to a champion of the technology and its potential to support human powered creativity. In this conversation, Jonathan and Justin describe their journey and their vision for using the new tools. Describing what the tools can - and importantly cannot yet - do , they outline how they will be working with it on a slate of commercial animated feature films, starting with the legend of GELART. Meanwhile, Phil Egger describes more about the technology and how the process works in practice. More About Jonathan, Justin and Phillip Jonathan Keasey is the founder of Mindriot Entertainment and an acclaimed screenwriter, producer, story hunter and proud member of the Writers Guild of America. He has been hired to write films for studios and streamers from Hollywood to Canada, France to China, Central America to Africa, and now beneath the Oceans. As a descendant of Anne Hutchinson, credited by The Smithsonian as North America’s first Feminist and banished for heresy, to the descendant of a Presidential Speechwriter and whistleblower, to the proud grandson of a woman who set speed-records as a typist for a grocery chain, Jonathan does his best to follow in their footsteps and relay heartfelt stories that will have a positive impact. But most important of all, he just wants to make his family and friends proud before he becomes nutrients for an apple orchard. Dr. Justin MacGregor is Founder and Head of Transatlantic Content for Mindriot as well as the Head of Film at Trinity College, Dublin. His first feature film, “The Vigil (for Kurt Cobain)” screened at film festivals from Vancouver to Mumbai and was released by Vanguard Int’l and played on television sets worldwide after its theatrical run. His latest documentary, “Is There Anybody Out There? Young Voices from Inside a Pandemic” struck another sonic chord at a pivotal time, and premiered at the Virgin Media Dublin Int’l Film Festival in 2021. In between, MacGregor’s award-winning theatre work includes the anti-war trilogy “The Play That Killed Me,” “God Wept and the Devil Laughed,” and “The Lonely Clouds of Guernica.” With a catalogue of work that’s supported from Trinity to UNESCO. Phillip Egger is an attorney with over a decade of experience in AI acquisitions and development. He has three decades experience advising closely held businesses and owners of taxable estates. He received his Juris Doctorate degree from Gonzaga University School of Law and his Masters degree in U.S. federal tax law from the University of Florida. Mr Egger has been a visiting Professor at the University of Florida School of Law and has been a guest speaker at the University of Washington School of Law Tax Institute.

This special episode features a conversation with three leaders in this space exploring the future of the greenlight process in film: Anjali Midha is the Former Head of Entertainment at Twitter and the Founder and CEO of the entertainment analytics platform Diesel Labs. Irina Albita, co-founder and co-CEO of FilmChain, the blockchain based platform revolutionising the collection of revenues in film and TV. Ted Hope is the producer of over 70 feature films, the former Head of Production at Amazon Studios and author of the book Hope for Film and blog of the same name. In an increasingly competitive and congested distribution marketplace, better and more informed decision making upstream is increasingly essential. Is there a better way? How can we support intuitive creativity with robust data analytics, audience insights and distribution intelligence? What are the tools, resources and information that can underpin more effective commissioning or investment decisions? Where are the information blindspots and how can filmmakers formulate a more robust investment opportunity? How can we create more inclusiveness in the greenlight process? More about our speakers Ted Hope has been a producer on over 70 films, studio executive on over 60, CEO of a start-up streamer, co-head of 3 production companies, executive director of a film society & festival, a Professor Of Practice at 2 universities, and founder of a post-production facility, 2 websites, 2 think tanks, & an app. Ted launched Amazon’s foray into feature film production, leading them to 19 Oscar nominations and 5 wins. As a producer, his films have received 25 Oscar nominations, with 6 wins. Ted’s memoir and newsletter Hope For Film, are both must reads. Ted helped launch the feature film careers of Ang Lee, Nicole Holofcener, Hal Hartley, Michel Gondry and many others. His most recent films include the first narrative from Oscar-winning documentary director, Roger Ross Williams, Cassandro, as well as the documentary Invisible Nation on Taiwan, directed and produced by Vanessa Hope. Anjali Midha, an entrepreneur with a passion for driving innovation in media and marketing analytics. She is the co-founder & CEO of Diesel Labs, a content analytics company that addresses the toughest questions facing media companies today. Before starting Diesel Labs, she was the Global Director of Media Research at Twitter where she developed the ‘playbook’ for television - illuminating the synergies and opportunities across traditional and new media. She joined Twitter via their acquisition of Bluefin Labs (the pioneer of Social TV Analytics), prior to which she was the VP of Strategy & Analytics at Digitas. Anjali holds a BA in Economics from Tufts University and an MBA from MIT Sloan Irina Albita is a technologist with over 12 years experience in the London/NYC tech scene, with a mathematics-economics background. Her passion is exploring how emerging tech radically transforms creative industries, and she is a prominent figure at film & tech events worldwide. She co-founded FilmChain alongside Maria Tanjala. The platform is transforming how producers, financiers, and sales agents get paid. With a digital collection account management (CAM) for indie films and a royalties management solution for content distributors, FilmChain brings transparency to payments and modernises royalties. Former EFM Startups 2018, they have won awards such as ‘Startup of the Year’ London Business Awards 2020, Startup Challenge at San Sebastian Film Festival 2020, Makers and Shakers 2020, and Unchain Fintech Festival 2022, to name a few. This episode is presented in partnership with Screenovators, the online community dedicated to innovation in the screen industries. For more information and to join: www.screenoavtors.com