The 2026 Creative Investors’ Conference, held in San Sebastian, Spain, was a showcase of optimism for the entertainment industry in a post‑COVID, post‑peak TV era. Co‑organised by CIC and CAA Media Finance, the event marked the fourth year of the conference’s focus on new opportunities amid a market that has seen a sharp decline in traditional television viewership.
Set against the backdrop of a late‑summer sea breeze, the conference was described as a breath of fresh air for investors and creators alike. Speakers highlighted the importance of adapting to changing audience habits and the emergence of new distribution channels.
Attendees were presented with ten key takeaways that spanned a range of contemporary topics. These included the growing role of artificial intelligence in content creation, the concept of “obsession” as a driver of audience engagement, YouTube’s evolving influence in the media landscape, and the potential for international films to dominate the Oscars.
While the conference did not disclose detailed statistics or specific case studies, it underscored that the industry is moving toward more innovative, data‑driven approaches and that global cinema is gaining a stronger foothold in major award circuits.
Overall, the San Sebastian event reaffirmed CIC’s commitment to identifying and capitalising on the upside in a rapidly changing entertainment environment.
<small>Source: Variety — read the original story there.</small>
