October 30th, 2025
Casa del Cinema di Trieste
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A special session focusing on video games, featuring panels and lectures on the video game industry in Italy and in the surrounding countries, and a masterclass on the use of AI-powered tools in the production of video games.
In association with IVIPRO – Italian Videogame Program
All events will take place in English
Info: forum@sciencefictionfestival.org
All the events in the afternoon session are free entry; registration on Eventbrite required.
10.00 // Masterclass
AI-powered tools for audiovisual content production/3
How to speed up game development with AI tools
A strategic overview with case studies, concrete examples, and forward-looking insight over the usage of AI tools in the different stages of video games development: pre-production, art & assets, animation, programming, procedural generation, audio & voices, testing, legal issues, perspectives in the near- and long-term.
Speaker: Fabio Cristi, Game Producer
Has been earning his living by working with video games since 1996, first as a journalist and translator, then as a producer for companies such as Milestone, Digital Bros., Midnite, AnotheReality, Mac ‘n’ Cheese and many more. He has been teacher in Game Production at NABA in Milan and Event Horizon School.
14.30 // Panel
Beyond Italy’s Borders: The Video Game Industry in Austria and Slovakia
The panel brings together the experiences and know-how of video game industry professionals from Austria and Slovakia. Speakers will share national perspectives, highlight ongoing activities such as events, festivals and funding initiatives, and present case studies connected to their respective territories. This session offers a chance to discover new avenues for collaboration with Italy, fostering potential cross-national synergies and long-term partnerships within the European gaming landscape.
Speakers: Maroš Brojo, Slovak Game Developers Association; Johanna Pirker, Game Dev Graz – TU Munich & TU Graz)
15.30 // Lecture
Connected by Games: Five Years of IGDA Italy
Ever since 2020, IGDA Italy has evolved into a vibrant hub for game creators, connecting developers, students, and industry professionals through game jams, meetups, and major events. Committed to inclusion, mentorship, and professional growth, it connects developers all around Italy. This talk explores its mission, milestones, and the work of passionate volunteers shaping the Italian game development community’s future.
Speaker: Davide Cavuoto, IGDA Italy
16.15 // Lecture
Project Management for Territory-Based Games
Discover how project management practices from game development can empower real-world territorial initiatives. This talk explores the intersection of creativity, culture, and coordination—showing how structured workflows, agile methods, and multidisciplinary teamwork turn video games into impactful tools for education, tourism, and local storytelling.
Speaker: Fabio Cristi – Game Producer
17.00 // Lecture
Pixelization of Dev Teams: Industry Disruption and the Indie Surge
Recent crises and advances in AI have disrupted the gaming industry, exposing both fragility and opportunity. These shifts opened space for agile indie teams, taking different roles and new team setup. Finally, the importance of local communities in Serbia, such as Serbian Games Association, emerges as a key driver of knowledge sharing and resilience.
Speaker: Aleksandar Dokic, Retromagine
17.45 // Panel
Game Development in Croatia: Opportunities and Incubators for Emerging Studios
This panel will explore Croatia’s evolving ecosystem, from funding schemes and mentorship opportunities to collaborative spaces that nurture innovation. Participants will discover how emerging Croatian studios are positioning themselves on the international stage and how these initiatives create fertile ground for networking across borders.
Speakers: Hrvoje Mitic, Croatian Game Developers Alliance; Tomislav Plesec, SIMORA
