News

Here's a look at the key highlights:

Open Lecture: How to Create Content for and with Young Adults

Time: 9:30 - 10:00
Presenter: Hyppe Salmi, Executive Producer, YLE, Finland

Creating content for young adults demands more than just a good story—it must also resonate with deeper social significance. In this insightful lecture, Hyppe Salmi of YLE Drama will explore the concept behind Areena Stories, YLE’s platform that commissions low-budget, genre-defining content from young media professionals. The platform has made waves by connecting marginalized communities with creative opportunities, fostering new voices in the industry.

Salmi’s presentation will feature Kalamaja Blues, a social media fiction series developed at MIDPOINT Smash Cut two years ago, which is now part of the Serial Killer screening lineup.

Salmi's experience commissioning fresh, short-form online dramas—including Instagram dramas and other innovative storytelling formats—positions her as a pivotal figure in youth-oriented content creation.

Open Lecture: Generative AI & Film – Between Hype, Hysteria & Reality

Time: 9:30 - 10:00
Presenter: Gerhard Maier, Artistic Director & Co-Founder of Seriencamp, Germany

The last two years have seen unprecedented advancements in Generative AI across film, TV, and media. In this lecture, Gerhard Maier will delve into the current state of generative AI technology and its potential to revolutionize storytelling. Drawing on findings from think tank sessions and industry discussions, Maier will outline the possibilities, challenges, and future implications of AI for creative industries.

This session will provide festivalgoers with a clear-eyed view of both the benefits and the uncertainties surrounding the technology, as well as a glimpse into how AI is already reshaping content creation.

SMASH CUT Showcase: Short-form Series Ideas That Slay!

Time: 9:30 - 10:00

Get ready to witness a showcase of fresh ideas from the emerging creators of the Central and Eastern European region. Four short-form series, developed through MIDPOINT’s SMASH CUT workshop, will be presented during this special session. Each project brings a unique perspective to storytelling:

• Two Ukrainian sisters navigate life as cleaners for Polish clients.
• A music shop owner faces the impending collapse of his small business.
• A couple secretly adopts an alien child.
• A detective interrogates a series of low-key Slavic crimes using a lie detector.

The SMASH CUT workshop is renowned for fostering bold, innovative pitches from up-and-coming talent, offering a platform for new voices to shine in the world of serial storytelling.