Producers Guild

Just launched – PGA’s Sustainability Tool Kit for Producers

Press Releases

2026 Produced By Conference – Recap

May 30, 2026

Producers Guild of America Hosts Top Film, TV Producers and Studio Executives on Universal Studios Lot for Insightful Conversation on the Future of Producing across Film, Television and Emerging Media

The 16th Annual Conference Explored the State of Producing, Featuring Sessions on AI, Emerging Creators, and More

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Producers Guild of America's (PGA) Produced By Conference returned for another year of insightful and thought-provoking dialogue, featuring sessions with top producers and entertainment executives at the one-day conference on the Universal Studios Lot.

The industry's leading creative voices joined the 16th Annual Produced By Conference for a day packed with fireside chats with industry leaders, a deep dive into AI, a spotlight on what it takes to pitch, sell and launch a feature or TV series today, the future of producing and exclusive industry networking. In addition to the annual "The State of Producing" session, the conference featured fireside chats with Blumhouse-Atomic Monster CEO and Founder Jason Blum, Filmmaker and Founder of Blumhouse-Atomic Monster James Wan, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group Co-Chair and CEO Michael De Luca, and NEON CEO and Founder Tom Quinn. Speakers also shared some of the unique challenges and opportunities facing producers today, from shifting finance models to the emergence of new AI technologies.

"We are fighting for expanded federal and state incentives, including right here in California, and those efforts are already beginning to bear fruit. We're making sure producers' concerns about mergers and consolidations are heard and understood by providing testimony, meeting one-on-one and breaking down that eternal question, 'What does a producer do?'" said PGA CEO Susan Sprung in her opening remarks. "And on AI, the PGA has not been sitting on the sidelines. We've been directly engaging with the companies building these tools and the policymakers regulating them for nearly a decade, helping ensure that innovation serves creativity, rather than replacing it. Because producers deserve a seat at every table where the future of this industry is being shaped."

Produced By Conference Highlights:

  • A Fireside Chat with Jason Blum and James Wan
    • CEO and Founder of Blumhouse-Atomic Monster Jason Blum, and James Wan, Filmmaker and Founder of Blumhouse-Atomic Monster were joined on stage by Producer and PGA President Stephanie Allain to discuss their insights on how they are sourcing, evaluating and releasing projects that can break through in today's competitive global marketplace. They kicked off their lively discussion by talking about the excitement that new creators are breathing into the film ecosystem and highlighting the recent success of Obsession and Backrooms. They noted how this new generation of creators is different from traditional feature filmmakers, and that they've formed their creative approach with the in-depth feedback that platforms like YouTube offer. "The reason these movies are connecting with young people the way they are is that these people are thinking about directing in a different way," said Blum. "They are so honed in and focused on making stuff for their audience."
  • The New Must See: Producing the Future of TV – Sponsored by YouTube
    • In two conversations, Creator, Producer and Hosts Michelle Khare and Brittany Broski took the stage to share how they approach storytelling for modern audiences, from eventized viewing and unconventional interview formats to building trust and loyalty through authenticity and direct engagement. Together, the conversations explored how YouTube's creator-producers blend premium production with internet-native instincts to build global audiences that feel personally invested in the content. Broski highlighted how her show is designed to strip away the usual celebrity interview structure to focus on human connection and creativity. Khare discussed the divide between digital and traditional producers and how she's excited to see that line continue to blur. She also demonstrated how production value continues to be a differentiating factor in a crowded environment by walking the audience through how her crew recreated a stunt that only the Mission Impossible team had ever accomplished. Said Khare: “I consider myself a producer first… and producers are the quarterback of the team. You have to understand everything.”
  • The State of Producing
    • Charles Roven (Founder of Atlas Entertainment, Producer OPPENHEIMER), Joy Gorman Wettels (Founder of Joy Coalition, Executive Producer LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE (Netflix/CBS)), and Mike Farah (Executive Producer, BETWEEN TWO FERNS WITH ZACH GALIFIANAKIS) joined Variety Co-Editor in Chief Cynthia Littleton for a conversation examining the current state of producing, how the role is changing, and the strategies helping producers move projects forward. In a moment when budgets are tighter than ever, panelists highlighted how they were exploring independent financing models and pulling resources together to create their own mini-studios. Roven highlighted that while consolidation has historically negatively impacted the content creation ecosystem, it also presented opportunities for mini-majors to grow. Farah discussed the importance of aligning incentives to make sure that the situation is a win-win for all parties involved. The panelists also discussed how engaging audiences is increasingly important. "Content used to be king. Now, community is king," said Gorman Wettels.
  • A Fireside Chat with Tom Quinn
    • CEO and Founder of NEON Tom Quinn discussed the company's current production slate and the future of producing with NBC's Senior Hollywood Reporter Rebecca Keegan. Quinn discussed Neon's editorial philosophy, highlighting that the U.S. doesn't have a monopoly on culturally relevant stories and that "there are many places in the world where you can find extraordinary work." He expressed that the company was founded on the belief that "artistic merit and cultural relevance should and must exist in equal measure." He also expressed a desire to have "a slate that can be a mirror out into the world."
  • AI and Producing: Adapting to New Technology
    • Jed Weintrob (CEO and Co-Founder, 30 Ninjas), Jennifer Howell (CCO, Deep Voodoo | Supervising Producer SOUTH PARK), Julina Tatlock (Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer, 30 Ninjas) and Nik Kleverov (CCO at Native Foreign) were joined on stage by Joanna Popper (CEO, Laurel Beach) to discuss how producers are adapting to the latest technology and driving innovation in their workflows and business models through the practical integration of AI. The panel discussed how AI can be a tool for producers, and Weintrob described how the audience should "be thinking about the challenges" they're facing and how "AI can be a solution." Kleverov closed out the panel by saying that "there's no magic button, you need creatives more than ever, and creative storytellers will win."
  • A Fireside Chat with Michael De Luca
    • Co-Chair and CEO of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group Michael De Luca sat down with Academy Award-winning producer Sara Murphy for a lively discussion about the studio's production slate in today's competitive global marketplace and how the common definition of IP needs to be changed. "I actually think IP is talent. I don't think Batman is IP — I think the artists and writers over the decades that did that comic book are the IP," said De Luca, who also emphasized that "the only currency that counts is your relationships with creative writers and directors and producers."
  • Artificial Intelligence: The Terms & Conditions
    • Lori McCreary (Revelations Entertainment CEO, Co-Founder FoodFight USA) and Will Schildknecht (Partner, Latham & Watkins) came together to highlight how AI tools are becoming increasingly integrated into development, production, post, marketing, and distribution, and explore the key questions that producers should be asking as they engage AI vendors and workflows.
  • The Art and Craft of Pitching
    • Bob Greenblatt (Founder and Producer, THE GREEN ROOM), Chris Slager (President of Film at Fifth Season, Executive Producer FRIENDSHIP) Donna Gigliotti (Producer, HIDDEN FIGURES, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOKS), and Vivian Cannon (Executive Vice President of Drama Development at Universal Television) were joined by Joe Farrell (Executive Producer, AMERICAN VANDAL, Producer, WEIRD: THE AL YANKOVIC STORY) for an engaging live pitch session by three PGA members. Panelists offered feedback on a variety of pitches and outlined the nuances of pitching film vs. television.
  • The Future of Producing – New Models, Sponsored by Wrapbook
    • Bloomberg's Media and Entertainment Managing Editor Lucas Shaw moderated a lively conversation with Jana Winograde (CEO, aTwist), Joe Lewis (CEO of Amplify Pictures, Executive Producer, 100 Foot Wave), and Tommy Oliver (Filmmaker, FANCY DANCE) focused on how producers are creating companies designed for a new era and adapting to a shifting landscape. We're in "a period of transformation, a period of evolution," said Oliver. He stressed that "producing is about figuring it out, whatever it may be…and it's about being proud of what comes out the other side." The panelists also highlighted the importance of continuing to support production returning to Los Angeles. "The best crews and talent in the world are here. We have things you can't replace," said Lewis. "People grew up in this town. It's a company town, and this industry is people's livelihoods," echoed Winograde.

Following the release earlier this year of its Sustainability Tool Kit for Producers, the Producers Guild continued to highlight their focus on sustainability throughout the conference. In addition to partnering with Universal Studios to host the event on a 100% renewable energy-powered lot, other Produced By Conference sustainability features included:

  • On-site communications about PGA's Tool Kit and tips to help producers consider how thinking about their budgets holistically could enable them to be more economical and sustainable;
  • Opportunities for Universal Production Services to showcase their line of sustainability services and equipment during their studio tours for attendees; and
  • Showcasing Universal's GreenerLight Program which is designed to collaborate with filmmakers, showrunners, talent, creative and production teams as well as expert advisors to identify sustainability opportunities in development, production and marketing.

A full list of the conference speakers, panels and sponsors can be viewed HERE.

In addition to host sponsor Universal Production Services, conference sponsors included: Delta Air Lines, the Official Airline, Film New Mexico, Final Draft, First Entertainment Credit Union, GreenSlate, Honolulu Film Office, Houston Film Commission, IMDbPro, Indee, Nikoloz Films, On Air Design/Astek, PayKeeper, SAGindie, SmartSource, Sunset Studios, Sustainability Tool Kit for Producers, Wrapbook, Coca-Cola, Cuties, Glenfiddich Scotch Whisky, Voodoo Doughnut and Silverado Vineyards. Media partners included Deadline, TheWrap and Variety.

The Produced By Conference team is composed of Executive Producer, Branden Chapman; Sponsorship Director, Diane Salerno; and the PGA's PR agency of record, Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis.

To receive news and the latest programming updates for the 2026 Produced By Conference, please visit the Guild's official website and follow its social media channels for the event:

Conference Website: www.producedbyconference.com
Hashtag: #ProducedBy2026