
The HPA Tech Retreat Supersession committee has announced that the highly anticipated 2025 HPA Tech Retreat Supersession-guided by working industry leaders and visionaries-will focus on the evolving role of humans in AI-driven production and post. The multifaceted topic represents both significant opportunities and complex challenges vital to the industry's future. The 30th anniversary of the HPA Tech Retreat takes place from February 16 through 20, 2025 at The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, California. The Supersession takes place on Tuesday, February 18.
A renowned predictor of emerging trends and technologies, the Supersession offers a glimpse into the entertainment industry's future. The transformative day explores the shifting roles of human talent across business and creative functions, from the back office to the screening room and the varied steps in between. Panels featuring over 30 industry leaders run parallel to Live Without a Net, a groundbreaking day-long demonstration from industry visionaries showcasing AI's potential to enhance, not replace, human creativity. In-depth discussions, case studies, and demonstrations- including operational applications, business analytics, creative process tools, and content monetization- showcase how AI can enhance (rather than replace) human creativity and expertise. The HPA Tech Retreat Supersession continues its tradition of interactive, thought-provoking showcases, demonstrating AI's capabilities in post-production workflows.
SCHEDULE OVERVIEW
Live Without a Net: AI & Creativity Use Cases
During an expert-led day moderated by Rachel Joy Victor (FBRC,) this day-long session explores the transformative potential of AI tools in post-production. Professionals in animation/rigging, video editing, and visual effects tackle tasks that traditionally take days, and attempt to complete them within a single day using AI-driven tools. AI-driven analytics for marketing strategies and predicting industry trends; strategic decision-making insights powered by AI; cutting-edge scriptwriting tools, visual effects, and post-production. The session looks at how AI fosters a symbiotic relationship between technology and human creativity.
Embracing Evolution: The Evolving Human Role in an AI World
Renard Jenkins (I2A2 Technologies)
As AI has become increasingly integrated into media and entertainment production, concerns emerge regarding the role of humans in this evolving landscape. How will these tools be utilized? Where is the appropriate boundary between AI-generated content and human creativity? Should such a distinction be drawn? Can new processes demonstrate the seamless integration of AI and human capabilities? How can individuals prepare for this technological transformation? What are the implications for human practitioners in the media and entertainment industry? A comprehensive and up-to-date overview of AI implementation in media and entertainment, emphasizing the continued significance of human integration within the production ecosystem and exploring the evolving roles of humans in conjunction with technological advancements.
Reality vs Fantasy: The Current State of AI and VFX
Barbara Ford Grant, (Media and Entertainment Executive/Filmmaker)
AI is having a major impact on the VFX creation process, but what are the implications now and where will VFX artists and producers leverage this powerful tool in future workflows.
AI and Animation
Lin Tam (Writer-Director-Producer)
How AI can streamline workflows and unlock new creative possibilities with storyboarding, character design, voice synthesis, and animation rendering, lip syncing, rendering and more to provide a clear roadmap for studios and creators to leverage these tools efficiently and inspire filmmakers and animators to adopt AI-driven solutions while maintaining creative control and artistic vision.
MovieLabs 2030 Greenlight: Making the Vision Real for Creatives
Mark Turner (MovieLabs), Jim Helman (MovieLabs), Daniel Lucas (MovieLabs), Chris Vienneau (MovieLabs), Christina Lee Storm (Asher XR), Erik Weaver (Entertainment Technology Center)
MovieLabs will demonstrate how the 2030 Vision delivers significant benefits to the creative community today and in the future. This session will feature how leading media and technology companies utilize the principles of the 2030 Vision, the MovieLabs Ontology for Media Creation, and AI to drive secure, interoperable, software-defined workflows in pre-production, production and post.
Provenance and How It's Critical to Creativity
Chris Bennett (Dolby), Dave Davis (Protege Media)
An overview of a set of principles that will unlock data for AI model builders to improve their products and also open up new opportunities for the content owners who make that possible.
Insider Keynote: What We Can Learn from the Music Industry
AI & Filmmaking: A Director's Perspectives
David Slade (Director)
The director of feature films including Hard Candy, 30 Days of Night, and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and television episodes from Breaking Bad and Black Mirror, David brings a deep understanding of the creative process and technology. He'll share his unique perspectives on the creative use of AI and will showcase some of his work.
Artificial Intelligence Policy and Intellectual Property: Where are we going from here?
Karyn Temple, (MPA)
An overview of the current landscape of AI policies and their implications for intellectual property (IP) protections in the media and entertainment industry. Critical questions such as IP issues in the US vs internationally, emerging standards and best practices for content creators will be addressed and valuable insights into key considerations for creators.
Unleashing the Storyteller
Jagger Waters, (Curious Refuge)
An award-winning filmmaker and the fir
Europe Stories
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
23/04/2026
Dermot Bannon's Celebrity Super Spaces airs Sunday 26 April and 3 May on RT ...
22/04/2026
Spotify and the New York Liberty are teaming up to give music and basketball fan...
22/04/2026
New 20-minute documentary explores iconic design The Focusrite Room in Mesa, Arizona, where John Aquilino hosts the Studio Console 005.
In 2025, Focusrite co...
22/04/2026
Offers compact wireless solution for pedalboards
Taiwanese audio brand Cloudvocal have announced the availability of a new pedalboard-friendly wireless syst...
22/04/2026
Latest hybrid sampling/synthesis instrument arrives
Arturia's Augmented series offerings rely on a mixture of sampling and synthesis, allowing users to ...
22/04/2026
Combines three distinct analogue EQ emulations
The latest addition to Acustica Audio's ever-expanding collection of analogue-emulation plug-ins combines...
22/04/2026
Final instalment in vintage-inspired instrument series
Analog Empire: Bass & Lead marks the final instalment in Melda Production's vintage hardware-insp...
22/04/2026
Fuzz pedal joins all-analogue Series A line
Given that Strymons reputation was built on unapologetically digital pedals, it was a little surprising to see t...
22/04/2026
22 Apr 2026
VEON's Banglalink to Bring Starlink Mobile to Customers in Bangladesh Bangladesh becomes the third market where VEON and Starlink Mobile partne...
22/04/2026
U have unveiled exclusive first-look images for their six-part police thriller Hit Point, starring Nick Blood (Day of the Jackal) and BAFTA nominee Saffron Hock...
22/04/2026
What can I watch on UKTV and stream on U this week?
This week on UKTV and the free streaming service U, viewers can watch a range of new and returning programm...
22/04/2026
Wednesday 22 April 2026
Sky announces fifth year of WNT Fund with 30,000 bursa...
22/04/2026
The move from Retail Media to Commerce Media is about broadening the scope of th...
22/04/2026
April 22 2026, 07:00 (PDT) Dolby and BMW Bring Dolby Atmos to the BMW 7 Series,...
22/04/2026
RT Documentary On One 7-part series breaks US market for first time
RT Programme Sales has announced its first deal with a US distribution partner for its 7-...
21/04/2026
Five years ago, Spotify arrived in Pakistan, opening a new chapter in the country's music scene. Since then, local listeners have explored across genres, ge...
21/04/2026
Since its launch in 2020, RADAR has been our program for spotlighting emerging artists around the world. This year marks the sixth edition of RADAR Spain, our o...
21/04/2026
Offers compact wireless solution for pedalboards
Taiwanese audio brand Cloudvocal have announced the availability of a new pedalboard-friendly wireless syst...
21/04/2026
Latest hybrid sampling/synthesis instrument arrives
Arturia's Augmented series offerings rely on a mixture of sampling and synthesis, allowing users to ...
21/04/2026
Rohde & Schwarz to host Power Electronics Online Conference From Design to Vali...
21/04/2026
Tuesday 21 April 2026
A first look at The Cathy Newman Show, live from 27 April
Everything you need to know
Sky News has announced The Cathy Newman Show, a m...
21/04/2026
Tuesday 21 April 2026
Sky Sports to make ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 available to all
The opening matches for all the home nations plus final will be a...
21/04/2026
Comscore Continues Building Momentum in Local Measurement Through New Agreements...
21/04/2026
Summer is nearly here and Super Garden is returning to our screens to spark some gardening inspiration. The new series kicks off on Thursday 23 April at 7pm on ...
20/04/2026
A song that captures a moment can feel like magic. But when you uncover the story behind it-who made it, what inspired it, and the meaning woven into the lyrics...
20/04/2026
Ultra-compact 32-bit recorder set for launch
Deity Microphones will soon be launching a new 32-bit six-track recorder that's been designed with producti...
20/04/2026
Uncoming lightweight shotgun mic announced
Production-sound experts Lectrosonics have recently announced the upcoming launch of a new lightweight shotgun mi...
20/04/2026
New 20-minute documentary explores iconic preamp
In 2025, Focusrite commissioned a new short-form documentary with filmmaker Chris Mayes-Wright - the direct...
20/04/2026
Turn quick sketches into real drum grooves
Sampleson have been experimenting with assitive production tools recently, and their latest creation aims to make...
20/04/2026
Rohde & Schwarz rolls out its full ARDRONIS counter UAS suite in a demonstration...
20/04/2026
Thomas Valter Director of Product Management, RTW
March 26, 2026
For users of the classic TouchMonitor, one obvious question is: what does the TMxCore offer...
20/04/2026
Fox Corporation Executives to Discuss Third Quarter Fiscal 2026 Financial Result...
19/04/2026
Now available in VST3, AU and AAX formats
Waves have recently released an update that extends their vocal-alignment plug-in's capabilities to all DAWs -...
19/04/2026
Wuppertal April 19, 2026
Riedel's SimplyLive Solution Powers Centralized V...
19/04/2026
Wuppertal April 19, 2026
Bridge Digital and Riedel Build Campus Wide ST 2110 N...
19/04/2026
Wuppertal April 19, 2026
Riedel Showcases Next Advances in IP-Based Production at NAB 2026MediorNet HorizoN ST 2110 MultiViewer App, SmartPanel Commentary Con...
19/04/2026
Harmonic's Cloud-Native VOS Media Software Lowers Costs by Unifying Media Playout to Delivery on a Single Platform SAN JOSE, Calif. - April 19, 2026 - Harmo...
18/04/2026
Free software mixer now in public beta
Blackmagic Design are best known for their high-end video hardware and DaVinci Resolve editing software, but the latt...
17/04/2026
Versatile ribbon mic kit revealed
The latest arrival to the AEA line-up brings together three contrasting models from their Nuvo range, delivering a versati...
17/04/2026
Revealed following sold-out MPG Awards ceremony
Following another sold-out MPG Awards ceremony at The Troxy in London, the MPG have released a full list of ...
17/04/2026
17 Apr 2026
VEON to Release 1Q26 Earnings Update on May 13, 2026 Dubai and New York, April 17, 2026 - VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), a global digital operator (toge...
16/04/2026
At Spotify, we want your experience to feel intuitive and personal across every moment of the day. Whether you're streaming your favorite playlist while you...
16/04/2026
Vintage broadcast experts release second plug-in
Telsie T is the second plug-in to be released by SonicWorld, a German audio company who specialise in servi...
16/04/2026
Compact unit offers hands-on plug-in control
Softube have just announced the launch of their latest hardware unit, the Flow Studio. Housed in a compact desk...