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Everyone in Hollywood is always looking for the next big hit, but the process of actually finding one is a unique combination of art, science, and luck. There’s no one way to learn how to look for hits (or sell them to those who are searching for them), but listening to opinions from smart people at every step of the process is a great place to start.
At our Future of Filmmaking Summit in Los Angeles, a panel that included Erica Lee (president of production and partner, Thunder Road), Julien Levesque (agent, Gersh) Ayo Kepher-Maat (VP of acquisitions and productions, Independent Film Company), and Rachel Shane (head of film and television, Madison Wells) sat down with IndieWire editor-in-chief Brent Lang for a wide-ranging conversation about what it takes to find a breakout hit in 2026.
The discussion covered the actual art of in-person pitching, working with producers, the value of writing on spec, and even the next genre that might be poised for a comeback (spoiler: more than one panelist thinks it might be erotic thrillers). If you’re looking to build a film career at any stage of the process, the Pitch Me panel is a must-watch.
Check out the complete conversation in the video above.
IndieWire Future of Filmmaking 2026 Summit is presented by AT&T Untold Stories, an impactful multi-year collaboration between AT&T and Tribeca Festival that awards $1.2 million dollars, mentorship, and comprehensive support to the next generation of filmmakers looking to bring their films to the big screen. For more information, visit here.
English (US) ·