FMX – Film & Media Exchange is set to make its much-anticipated return from May 6-9, 2025, marking the 29th iteration of this prestigious conference dedicated to animation, visual effects, interactive, and immersive media. Organizers are diligently crafting another outstanding program, eager to build on the success of previous editions.
In an exciting first announcement, the FMX team has revealed key highlights that attendees can look forward to:
FMX 2025: RHYTHM OF CHANGE
The overarching theme for FMX 2025 is RHYTHM OF CHANGE, designed to provoke thought and discussion about the future of production technologies in the creative arts. This theme poses a pivotal question: How can these evolving technologies not only enhance but also support the artistic goals and deeper intentions of creators who strive to foster connections through their work?
Participants can anticipate in-depth conversations surrounding the increasing prevalence of sharing platforms, the significance of open standards, and a variety of innovative initiatives that have surfaced recently. A particular emphasis will be placed on cross-platform collaboration and the challenges posed by both physical and subjective distances, as well as the need for interoperability amidst the disruptions currently reshaping film production.
Paul Debevec joins FMX 2025 as Program Chair
Among the event’s highlights, industry luminary Paul Debevec has been named Program Chair for FMX 2025. Currently serving as the chief research officer at Netflix’s Eyeline Studios in Los Angeles, Debevec is at the forefront of R&D for visual effects and virtual production. His work brilliantly incorporates elements of computer vision, graphics, and machine learning to innovate the digital landscape.
In 2002, he revolutionized the realm of virtual production with the introduction of the Light Stage 3 system, which ingeniously surrounds actors with color LEDs to project images of virtual environments, allowing for precise, lighting-accurate compositing. This groundbreaking methodology laid the groundwork for numerous advancements in the industry.
Debevec’s transformative techniques—ranging from photogrammetry and HDR imaging to image-based lighting—have left an indelible mark on iconic films such as The Matrix, Spider-Man 2, Benjamin Button, Avatar, Gravity, Oblivion, Maleficent, Furious 7, Blade Runner: 2049, Gemini Man, Free Guy, along with a multitude of cutting-edge video games.
His pioneering efforts have earned him prestigious accolades, including two Academy Awards for Scientific and Technical Achievement, the esteemed Progress Medal from the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, and the Charles F. Jenkins Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award in 2022. Debevec serves as a Governor of the Visual Effects Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is a Fellow of the Visual Effects Society, and holds the role of Adjunct Research Professor at the University of Southern California.
“We are honored that the Master of Light himself, Dr. Paul Debevec, has agreed to be our program chair for FMX 2025,” expressed FMX Conference Chair Dr. Jan Pinkava. “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!”
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
– What inspired the theme “Rhythm of Change” for FMX 2025, and how does it relate to advancements in production technologies?
**Interview with Paul Debevec, Program Chair of FMX 2025**
**Editor:** Welcome, Paul! It’s exciting to have you here. As the Program Chair for FMX 2025, can you tell us about the overarching theme, “Rhythm of Change,” and what it signifies for the future of production technologies in the creative arts?
**Paul Debevec:** Thank you for having me! “Rhythm of Change” is a theme that invites us to explore the dynamic interplay between advancing technologies and the artistic goals of creators. We’re at a pivotal moment where innovations in production can not only enhance how stories are told, but they can also deepen the connections that artists cultivate with their audiences. Our goal is to engage in meaningful conversations about how these changes can support and drive artistic expression.
**Editor:** That sounds fascinating! What specific topics can attendees expect to dive into during the conference?
**Paul Debevec:** Attendees will experience a variety of discussions focused on several key areas. We’ll be looking at the rise of sharing platforms and their influence on our industry, the importance of open standards, and the challenges of cross-platform collaboration. Additionally, we’re going to address the physical and subjective distances that can affect collaboration among global teams, alongside the need for interoperability in our rapidly changing production environments.
**Editor:** With your background in visual effects, can you share how your experience will shape the program this year?
**Paul Debevec:** My experience at Netflix’s Eyeline Studios has given me a close-up view of the latest advancements in visual effects and virtual production. At FMX 2025, I plan on bringing insights from my work with computer vision and machine learning, discussing how these technologies are transforming our industry. I’m particularly excited about the potential for innovation in immersive media and how we can integrate these advancements into traditional storytelling techniques.
**Editor:** Lastly, what do you hope attendees will take away from FMX 2025?
**Paul Debevec:** I hope attendees leave inspired to embrace change and experiment with new technologies in their creative processes. My goal is to foster an environment where exploration and innovation are encouraged, enabling artists to harness these tools to tell compelling stories that resonate with audiences. I believe that by working together, we can navigate these changes and create a vibrant future for our industry.
**Editor:** Thank you, Paul! It sounds like FMX 2025 is going to be a pivotal event, and we can’t wait to see what unfolds.
**Paul Debevec:** Thank you! I’m looking forward to it as well!
