Technology

Berlin – The film and media industry is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, evolving distribution platforms and a shift in how intellectual property is conceived. At the recent Berlinale’s European Film Market (EFM), producers discussed strategies for navigating this new landscape, focusing on integrating AI into workflows, embracing vertical storytelling, and exploring the potential of “liquid IP” – intellectual property designed for adaptability across multiple formats. These changes aren’t simply about cost-cutting; they represent a fundamental rethinking of creative development and business models in a post-peak media environment.

Producers are increasingly looking to technology not just to streamline production, but to de-risk experimentation and unlock new revenue streams. The conversation centered on how to balance technological innovation with the core values of creative authorship and audience engagement. The industry is grappling with a fragmented financing and distribution landscape, and producers are actively seeking ways to leverage new tools and strategies to ensure both survival and growth. This shift towards adaptability is becoming a defining characteristic of successful production companies.

AI Integration: Beyond Efficiency

The discussion quickly moved beyond the promise of frictionless efficiency often associated with AI. Both Katharina Gellein Viken, multi-platform showrunner and CEO of Metrotone, and Gregor Sauter, head of emerging content at RED PONY, emphasized that successful AI integration requires significant investment in time, expertise, and infrastructure. Metrotone, for example, made a deliberate shift to becoming “AI native” three years ago, but maintains a strictly human-first approach to scriptwriting. Scripts remain entirely human-authored, with AI utilized downstream for visual generation and accelerating iteration.

Viken highlighted the importance of workflow design over simply adopting specific tools. Large language models are used for research and process support, but not for generating core creative ideas or scripts. Visuals are created using commercial AI engines, which she believes have reached a level of maturity that allows filmmakers meaningful creative control. Crucially, these pipelines are designed with format flexibility in mind, enabling projects to transition quickly across different platforms and narrative expressions.

RED PONY is taking a similar approach with the launch of an in-house “AI studio,” currently in beta, designed to support emerging content, particularly micro-drama. This system functions as an infrastructure layer to accelerate development rather than replace creative authorship. Writers remain central to the process, but AI is used to analyze pacing, identify potential cliffhangers, and generate rapid prototypes for pitching and testing. “The core value is acceleration,” Sauter noted, stressing the importance of retaining creative control throughout the process.

Vertical Storytelling and Micro-Drama

Both producers framed AI as a tool for faster experimentation and risk reduction, which directly informed the discussion of vertical storytelling and micro-drama. Viken positioned Metrotone’s project Raynmaker as part of a broader ambition to redefine the space, currently dominated by romance-driven, telenovela-style formats originating in Asia. She argued that micro-drama should be understood as a distinct form – defined by one-to-three-minute episodes and freemium micro-transaction models – rather than a catch-all term for short-form online video. While the strongest markets currently reside in Asia, she anticipates growth in English-language territories, particularly with increased brand involvement.

A key differentiator for Metrotone is its approach to adaptability. Raynmaker is being produced to exist simultaneously as a vertical micro-series, a horizontal feature film, and multiple ancillary formats. Viken argued that planning for this from the outset simplifies repurposing and avoids costly compromises later. RED PONY, conversely, has fully committed to vertical production for its current micro-drama projects, driven by specific distribution strategies and the realities of platform business models.

Liquid IP and Evolving Revenue Models

Financing and distribution models for micro-drama differ significantly from traditional productions. Sauter outlined revenue-share models tied to freemium access and micro-payments, noting that access to platform data is often a prerequisite for meaningful collaboration. Strategic partnerships, rather than one-off commissions, are central to RED PONY’s approach. Metrotone combines equity finance with brand partnerships, and is experimenting with distribution through platforms like Spotify’s creators program. AI-enabled testing allows for incremental rollout, reducing upfront risk and aligning creative development with audience response.

The conversation culminated in a discussion of “liquid IP” – intellectual property designed to move fluidly across formats and platforms. For Metrotone, this concept is embedded from the project’s inception, with projects designed to exist simultaneously as music, graphic novels, video, and series within a single narrative universe. Viken cautioned that failing to plan for this multiplicity carries significant financial consequences. Sauter described a more exploratory approach at RED PONY, where liquid IP is emerging organically from the convergence of streaming and social media. Within Saxonia Media, known for long-running TV series, this experimentation includes testing vertical extensions of existing IP alongside the development of new, platform-native properties.

The discussion underscored the evolving role of the producer in the current media landscape. Beyond traditional development and financing, producers are now expected to navigate technology, data, platforms, and IP strategy simultaneously. This requires a new skillset and a willingness to embrace experimentation and adaptation.

As the industry continues to evolve, the ability to leverage AI, embrace new formats, and develop adaptable intellectual property will be crucial for success. The producers’ experiences highlight the need for a strategic, long-term vision that prioritizes both creative innovation and sustainable business models. The next phase will likely see further refinement of these strategies as platforms and technologies continue to mature.

What are your thoughts on the future of AI in film and television? Share your insights in the comments below.

Users attempting to access TudoCelular, a popular Brazilian tech news and review website, are encountering block pages citing “anomalous traffic.” The issue, which began surfacing on February 12, 2026, highlights the increasing challenges websites face in distinguishing between legitimate user activity and malicious attacks, particularly Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. The site prompts users to report the issue or try reloading the page and provides a support email address for persistent problems.

The block page message, displayed in Portuguese, indicates the site is proactively blocking requests to protect itself. While frustrating for legitimate visitors, this type of defensive measure is becoming more common as cyberattacks grow in sophistication. The core problem isn’t necessarily a deliberate attempt to block users, but rather a defensive measure triggered by perceived threats, akin to a security guard preventing a potential rush.

According to a report by cybersecurity researcher Dr. Amelia Chen at MIT, “The problem is, the line between legitimate high traffic and malicious traffic is blurring.” DDoS attacks have evolved beyond simple volume-based floods to more targeted application-layer attacks that mimic human behavior, making them harder to detect. This necessitates increasingly aggressive filtering mechanisms to protect online services.

TudoCelular’s block page includes a hidden token that tracks details like the user’s method (GET), status code (403), country (US), and IP address, suggesting a sophisticated system is in place to monitor and analyze traffic patterns. Users experiencing issues are directed to contact support at [email protected].

The Growing Challenge of DDoS Attacks

DDoS attacks work by overwhelming a server with traffic from multiple sources, rendering it unavailable to genuine users. These attacks have become increasingly prevalent and complex, making it tough for websites to maintain accessibility while protecting themselves. The rise of botnets and other forms of automated malicious activity further complicates the issue, as attackers can leverage vast networks of compromised devices to launch attacks.

The situation underscores the inherent tension between security and accessibility on the internet. As filtering mechanisms become more sensitive, the risk of inadvertently blocking real people increases. Websites are constantly striving to discover a balance between protecting themselves from attacks and ensuring a positive user experience.

OVK.TECH’s Role in Support

Interestingly, the support email address provided on the TudoCelular block page, [email protected], is associated with OVK.TECH SRL, a technology company based in Erbusco, Brescia, Italy. Dun & Bradstreet lists OVK.TECH SRL as providing state-of-the-art technology solutions, including artificial intelligence, mobile applications, and IT infrastructure.

OVK.TECH also describes itself as offering solutions for publishers, including publishing platforms and monetization systems, on its website, ovk.tech. This suggests a potential relationship between OVK.TECH and the infrastructure supporting TudoCelular, or that OVK.TECH provides security services to the Brazilian publication.

OVK.TECH provides a range of services, including tailor-made virtual assistants and native mobile applications. They also offer IT infrastructure solutions designed to build “solid foundations” for businesses.

What’s Next for Website Security?

The incident with TudoCelular is a microcosm of a larger trend: the ongoing arms race between website defenders and attackers. As attack methods become more sophisticated, websites will need to continue investing in advanced security measures to protect themselves and their users. The development of more accurate and nuanced traffic filtering techniques will be crucial, as will the adoption of proactive threat intelligence and mitigation strategies.

The increasing reliance on third-party security providers, like potentially OVK.TECH in this case, also highlights the growing complexity of website security.

Have you experienced similar issues accessing websites recently? Share your experiences in the comments below.