Announcing FMX 2025: Rhythm of Change

FMX is BACK! The Film & Media Exchange will return in early May 2025 with a first-rate program, bringing you the latest in Animation, Visual Effects, Interactive and Immersive Media.

Change can appear to be overwhelming – like the transition the creative industries are currently going through. One of the driving forces behind it is the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI)  tools.

With next year’s theme RHYTHM OF CHANGE, FMX adresses the situation and offers a platform for the community to discuss and share ways to navigate the transformation.

We are very happy to announce that industry legend 🧙‍♂️ Paul Debevec will be the Program Chair of FMX 2025!

Following four days On Site from May 6 to 9, 2025, FMX will offer numerous presentations from our international speakers On Demand from May 10 to June 10.

FMX 2025 Key Visual

FMX 2025 Theme: RHYTHM OF CHANGE

The media landscape is changing. Shifting business models, consolidations and rapid developments in Artificial Intelligence are shaking the foundations of the industry.

Finding our rhythm in the midst of change can be a real challenge. What remains constant is the need for human perception, judgement, communication, and the making of creative choices. 🤹

How can we ensure that production technologies enhance and support the goals and intentions of the creators who keep us human and connected through their art? 🎬

From education to creation, production to distribution, FMX 2025 will offer insights and inspiration 💡 on how to navigate the obstacles and shape the opportunities before us.

Program Chair: Paul Debevec

FMX 2025 PROGRAM CHAIR

Paul Debevec received degrees in Computer Engineering and Mathematics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1992 and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley in 1996.

He is the Chief Research Officer at Netflix’s Eyeline Studios in Los Angeles, overseeing R&D for visual effects and virtual production with computer vision, graphics, and machine learning. In 2002, Paul’s Light Stage 3 system pioneered the virtual production technique of surrounding actors with color LEDs to display images of virtual environments for lighting-accurate compositing.

Paul’s techniques for photogrammetry, HDR imaging, image-based lighting, and photoreal digital actors have been used to create key visual effects sequences in “Matrix”, “Spider-Man 2”, “Benjamin Button”, “Avatar”, “Gravity”, “Oblivion”, “Maleficent”, “Furious 7”, “Blade Runner: 2049”, “Gemini Man”, “Free Guy”, and numerous video games.

Paul’s work in technology for visual effects and virtual production has been recognized with two Academy Awards for Scientific and Technical Achievement, the Progress Medal from the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, and in 2022, the Charles F. Jenkins Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award.

Paul is a Governor of the Visual Effects Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a Fellow of the Visual Effects Society, and an Adjunct Research Professor at the University of Southern California.

“We are honoured that the Master of Light himself, Dr Paul Debevec, has agreed to be our Program Chair for FMX 2025. He has been instrumental in creating an entire discipline of image capture and image making, with rigorous and wide-ranging applications throughout Visual Effects, Virtual Production and beyond. Paul’s network spans academia and industry at the highest level and we are excited to have his invaluable guidance. On top of that, he’s a really nice guy!”

Dr Jan Pinkava, FMX Conference Chair

FORUM

No FMX without the Forum, which is now ready to be filled with life:

In the Marketplace, attendees can experience the latest innovations and products of industry-leading companies and start-ups. Workshops, Masterclasses and Company Suites will dig deep into the expertise of our international partners.

Established and up and coming studios scout talent in the Recruiting Hub, film and media schools from around the globe present themselves in the School Campus.

Interested in becoming a partner of the FMX Forum? Find more information here.

The FMX team is thrilled to work with Paul Debevec – and that’s just the beginning. More details are to come soon, including the genesis of our key visual. Here’s a clue: there’s a connection to the FMX trailer, which currently is in the making and will shortly be ready for launch.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

The 29th edition of FMX will take place May 6 to 9, 2025.