SESSION LEADER:

Phil Streather, PLF

PANELISTS:

To be announced

SESSION GOALS:

To be announced

SESSION LEADER:

Paul Fraser, Blaze Cineworks.

PANELISTS:

To be announced

SESSION GOALS:

1. To thoroughly introduce delegates to LED, including its potential to transform theatrical exhibition in general, and Giant Screen cinema in particular.
2. To not only educate theater people, but to inspire content producers, post-production specialists, and distributors to imagine how they will have to adapt to LED as a transformative display technology.

SESSION SUMMARY:

Since GSCA’s session on LED in 2019, the direct view LED (DV LED) landscape has evolved significantly. New players have entered the market, DCI certifications have advanced, and both flat and dome applications have seen substantial innovation. What once seemed like a distant disruption is now becoming a viable option – and potentially transformative development – for the giant screen industry.

This session brings together a diverse panel of experts and vendors actively working in DV LED to explore where things stand now and what’s on the horizon. Panelists will share insights on technology performance, implementation in dome and flat screen environments, content production challenges and opportunities, sound solutions, and cost considerations. We’ll also hear lessons from real-world deployments—including efforts to adapt existing giant screen documentaries for LED formats.

Join us in Austin for a timely and thought-provoking discussion on how LED is reshaping the future of immersive cinema.

Session Leader: Keero Birla

Panelists: To be announced

Session Goals:

• Align educational efforts with market demands and evolving classroom needs.
• Showcase how strong educational content can drive revenue, partnerships, and relevance.
• Provide a roadmap for future-proofing educational outreach.

Session Summary:

Education is evolving — are we keeping up? As classrooms face tighter budgets and new expectations, Giant Screen films must adapt or risk losing their place in the educational ecosystem.

In this strategic session, we’ll dive into how modern Educator Guides and innovative outreach efforts can deepen engagement, boost school group attendance, and secure the future of Giant Screen experiences. You’ll hear proven best practices, emerging trends, and practical strategies to make sure your educational offerings are as dynamic and essential as the films themselves.

Whether you’re creating, distributing, or exhibiting Giant Screen films, this is your roadmap to future-proofing your educational impact — and your bottom line.

Open Space: Where the Future Gets Written

You Choose It: Talk About What Matters Most

Kick off the GSCA International Conference with the session everyone’s still talking about from Film Expo 2025—the #1-rated session in GSCA history!

Instead of sitting through pre-scripted panels and PowerPoints, your experience, knowledge, and identified challenges will shape the agenda. Using the highly engaging Open Space method, we’ll build a living, breathing conversation where the most important topics, ideas, and questions come straight from YOU and fellow members.

✅ A huge hit at the Film Expo 2025—you asked for more, and we listened!

✅ Network instantly with the best minds in the business.

✅ Share your ideas, your challenges, your visions—this is where real collaboration happens.

✅ Start strong: This is the very first session of the conference—you won’t want to miss it.

🎬 Bring your thoughts. Bring your energy. Bring your coffee.

Because the future of Giant Screen starts here—and it starts with YOU.

Giant ideas start here. #GSCA2025 #GSCAOpenSpace

Session Leader:

Jonathan Bird (Film Director & Moderator)

Panelists:

• Caroline Borgudd (Theater Director, Cosmonova, Stockholm)
• Corey Cobb (Director of IMAX Theater, Tennessee Aquarium)
• Joanie Vandenberg Philipp (Distributor, Cosmic Picture; Former Museum COO)
• Lori Rick (Distribution, MacGillivray Freeman Films)

Session Description:

A premiere isn’t just a film screening—it’s a unique opportunity to capture attention, drive revenue, and galvanize community support. Once a film opens in your market, the window for impactful launch buzz closes. This session is your strategic roadmap to making the most of that first night.

Join award-winning filmmaker Jonathan Bird and a powerhouse panel of distribution and exhibition experts for a dynamic and practical discussion on how theaters and institutions can turn premieres into powerful marketing tools.

Through real-world examples and step-by-step strategies, attendees will learn how to:

• Create buzz and community engagement through a well-executed opening night.
• Use premieres to attract donors and benefactors through exclusive experiences.
• Leverage free media coverage via TV, radio, newspapers, and online outlets.
• Plan memorable events with minimal cost—what you need, and what you don’t.
• Bring in a filmmaker or special guest to boost credibility and publicity—and fund it creatively.
• Collaborate with distributors to develop press kits and locally adaptable marketing assets.
• Harness the power of social media to amplify the premiere’s reach.

Whether you’re looking to increase visibility, raise funds, or simply fill seats, this session will give you the tools to turn your next premiere into a high-impact event with long-term benefits. Don’t miss this actionable playbook to unlock your theater’s full promotional potential.