A Film Industry Summit at Trilith Studios | October 23, 2025 

At this year’s State of the Industry summit, Georgia Tech Arts joined filmmakers, educators, students, and industry professionals at Trilith Studios for a day devoted to the future of film and media. Sponsored by Georgia Tech’s Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts and College of Design, the event explored how innovation, technology, and storytelling continue to redefine creative careers across Georgia’s thriving entertainment sector. 

One of the day’s highlights was the panel “CTRL + ALT + CREATE: Next-Gen Tools,” moderated by Lisa Marks, interim chair of Georgia Tech’s School of Arts, Entertainment, and Creative Technologies. The discussion brought together leaders who are shaping inclusive pathways into the industry, offering insights into workforce development, emerging technologies, and the intersection of art and innovation. A notable connection among the panelists and Marks was their shared foundation in traditional art practices that ultimately guided their paths into creative technologies. 

Panelist Christina Lee Storm, Co-Founder of PLBK, presented a compelling overview of key considerations when approaching generative AI on a film project. She outlined three core principles she applies before using AI: creative integrity to professionals, creators, performers, and craftspeople; permissions and licenses to ensure legal and commercial viability; and accountability, transparency, and sustainability in how AI is deployed. These principles examine how artificial intelligence is transforming film and television production, from previsualization to postproduction, and invite participants to think critically about authorship, ethics, and the role of human creativity in the age of AI.  

“The tech is a tool for the art and craft to shine through,” said Barbara Ford Grant, a pioneering VFX and creative technology executive, underscoring the panel’s consensus that while technology evolves, storytelling remains the foundation of the creative process. Storm emphasized that AI, when used thoughtfully, can expand possibilities rather than replace human imagination. 

Adding a production lens, Barry Williams, director of creative technologies at Trilith Studios, spoke to how fast-moving toolsets are reshaping on-set decisions and pipeline planning, and how thoughtful adoption can balance efficiency with quality. His remarks echoed the panel’s focus on practical pathways into high-skill roles across Georgia’s growing screen industry. 

The conversation reflected Georgia Tech’s own approach to bridging technology and creativity. Marks guided the dialogue toward the broader question of how education can prepare students to navigate an industry increasingly shaped by innovation. 

Many Georgia Tech students attended the event, particularly those from Bentley Heyman’s and Daniel Phelps’s video production classes in the School of Literature, Media, and Communication. The experience offered them a firsthand look at how artists, technologists, and educators are collaborating to shape the future of media. 

For Georgia Tech Arts, events like State of the Industry represent more than professional dialogue. They reinforce a shared commitment to cultivating the creative workforce of the future. Through innovation, education, and community connection, Georgia Tech and its partners continue to bridge technology and storytelling, ensuring the state’s film ecosystem remains as forward-thinking as it is vibrant.