November 4th, 2026
10.30-13.00 + 14.30-17.00 + 18.15-19.00
Urban Center Trieste
Generative Audience Design for Film Distribution and Communication
Workshop
The current debate on the use of Artificial Intelligence in the film industry focuses obsessively on content generation, whereas the market urgently needs analytical tools to evaluate and streamline projects. This one-day, hands-on workshop on AI focuses on audience design by introducing new predictive AI models specifically designed for film project distribution, and is expressly targeted at students, emerging producers, and professionals with projects at any stage of development. Through a group work approach, participants will engage in audience simulation, benchmarking, and in the analysis of distribution communication, juxtaposing the study of real-world cases and of common distribution and communication failures. The workshop is meant to provide participants with practical tools to attract capital, secure the best market or festival position and reach the ideal audience for their projects.
The practical sessions and tasks will use the projects brought by each participant; any stage of development is accepted. Participants are required to bring their own laptops.
Tutor: Mateusz Miroslaw Lis – ML/AI Engineer, Orkidee
Programme
Morning session
- Introduction to Large Language Models
- Film Benchmarking through RAG
- Vector Databases for Benchmarking
- LLM Agents for evaluating Narrative and Storytelling
Afternoon session
- Roleplaying and Generative Audience Design
- Audience Simulation and Generative Market Research
- Communication Analysis tools
- Predictive tools for distribution planning
Bonus
18.15-19.00
Screening + talk
When NOT to use AI in the Film Supply Chain
To what extent do generative AI models meet the financial, logistical, and quality requirements of the film industry, and when do they clash with the structural constraints of the film value chain? The screening of the short films Il consumatore and Chi è di scena? - produced by Friuli Venezia Giulia-based film incubator 49° and winners of the CortIA contest – will offer the opportunity to analyze practical case studies and evaluate the economic sustainability of hybrid processes.
Mateusz Miroslaw Lis is an ML/AI Engineer specialized in audiovisual technologies and design. Experienced in developing and integrating advanced artificial intelligence solutions within the film and advertising industries. Focused on creating intelligent systems that enhance pre-production processes, enable predictive market analysis, and support synthetic audience simulations. Dedicated to bridging creative disciplines with data-driven innovation to optimize decision-making and production outcomes.
How to attend at
Fantastic Film Forum 2026
Workshop “Generative Audience Design” registration fee: € 50,00; partners: € 25,00*.
* List of partners: professionals and companies based in Friuli-Venezia Giulia; members CNA Cinema e Audiovisivo Veneto; members CNA Cinema e Audiovisivo Friuli-Venezia Giulia