According to the StepIn 2025 Report, published by Locarno Pro, an industry platform for the Locarno Film Festival, the independent film sector needs to take risks in order to thrive and survive, per The Hollywood Reporter.

Conceived as an international think tank for film business professionals ranging from distributors, exhibitors, financiers, broadcasters film festival and market representatives, and more, to discuss the state and shape of the industry, this year’s StepIn Report was titled “Embracing the Risk(s), but How?,” and focused on four topics: independent production between public and private financing; independent distribution today: “The art of taking risks and how to handle it”; festivals and the press; and building a truly inclusive audiovisual industry.

The Report’s conclusions stated that cinema’s future depends on changing the viewpoint of risk from a negative to a positive, with risk being a core element of the art form that has led and can lead to originality, impact, and audience growth, helping the industry thrive and survive.

The report also addressed other topics of concern, such as AI and reduced public funding in Europe. With the former, the Report recommended the software, if utilized properly, as a useful tool, saying,

“The mix of algorithmic insight and human emotional intelligence is a winning combination for reducing risk and achieving success in production and distribution strategies.”

With the latter, Mark Duffner, the director of Locarno Pro, discussed opening up the platform to the investment community and educating them about how entertainment is both a financial and cultural asset.

Film industry veterans who attended this year’s Locarno Pro event included Ed Guiney of Element Pictures, who collaborated with Yorgos Lanthimos on Poor Things, Berlin Film Festival director Tricia Tuttle, and AGC Studios chairman and CEO Stuart Ford.

The 78th Locarno Film Festival took place from August 6th to the 16th in Switzerland.