Insights from Three Days at Toronto’s Access Canada Summit

The global entertainment industry is facing unprecedented change. With the rise and stumble of the streaming era, shrinking budgets, and the constant search for new business models, both Hollywood executives and Canadian creatives gathered at the Access Canada Summit in Toronto to discuss how to thrive in this evolving landscape. Over three days, the event highlighted the industry’s most pressing challenges, its biggest opportunities, and the critical role of international partnerships.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the key discussions from the summit and what they mean for the future of entertainment.

The Current State of Hollywood: Chaos and Opportunity

“Every business model that we thought was set in stone is completely up for grabs,” explained Scott Roxborough, European bureau chief for The Hollywood Reporter (THR). Speaking to a panel of THR journalists and editors, Roxborough captured the mood of the summit: both uncertainty and opportunity.

• Independent film struggles to find a sustainable business model.

• Commercial television faces collapse as traditional audiences dwindle.

• Studios are grappling with internal disruption and shifting priorities.

And yet, this turbulence opens the door for creativity, experimentation, and new global collaborations. As Roxborough noted, “It’s sort of the worst of times and the best of times.”

Globalization as a Driving Force in Entertainment

One of the recurring themes at the summit was the unstoppable force of globalization. Maer Roshan, Editor-in-Chief of THR, emphasized how international markets are reshaping entertainment.

“I wasn’t born in America, so I always have known how important the rest of the world is,” Roshan explained. “Look even in American culture. South Korean films and music have been so dominant, and that’s part of our mandate, increasingly.”

With THR expanding its international editions in Spain, Japan, India, Italy, and soon the U.K., the summit reinforced that no single region can dominate global entertainment anymore. Co-productions and cross-border partnerships are now essential to sharing both the risks and rewards of creating content for worldwide audiences.

Canadian Partnerships at the Forefront

The Canadian entertainment industry stood out as a central partner in shaping Hollywood’s future. With production hubs in Toronto and Vancouver, Canada has become a powerhouse in global filmmaking.

Sally Catto, general manager of entertainment at CBC, discussed Netflix’s North of North comedy set in Canada’s Arctic region. This co-production between Netflix, CBC, and APTN wasn’t just about budgets. “It was a true creative partnership,” Catto said. “It was overseeing the creative process, together and collectively. That’s real progress.”

Such partnerships highlight how Canadian broadcasters are positioning themselves not just as service providers, but as true creative collaborators on projects with international appeal.

The Return of Theatrical Releases

While streaming continues to dominate conversations, several speakers pointed to a renewed audience interest in theaters.

Mia Galuppo, film writer at THR, noted that many filmmakers are now prioritizing theatrical releases over streaming paychecks. She cited Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights, which chose a Warner Bros. theatrical release over Netflix streaming.

This trend reflects two shifts:

1. Audiences, especially younger ones, are rediscovering the cinema experience.

2. Filmmakers are recognizing the cultural impact and prestige of theatrical releases.

Major studios are leaning into this momentum, with tentpole films and re-releases finding success at the box office.

Franchise Films vs. Original Stories

Still, a lingering concern remains: Will studios take risks on new ideas?

Scott Feinberg, executive editor of awards at THR, pointed to the massive success of a re-release of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws 50 years after its debut, alongside new global hits like KPop Demon Hunters.

But Steven Zeitchik, senior editor at THR, warned that risk-averse studios may continue to favor sequels, reboots, and re-releases over original films. “It’s much easier and cheaper to re-release stuff,” he explained. While audiences will still go to theaters, the discovery of fresh, original content may become less frequent.

Canadian Stars and Global Collaboration

Another hot topic at the summit was repatriating Canadian talent.

Justin Stockman, VP of content development at Bell Media, explained:
“Canadians are some of the biggest creators in the world. They may not live in Canada right now, but they are Canadian and many of them left to work on big budget projects that this market couldn’t afford.”

Bell Media is actively pursuing international partnerships with companies like Lionsgate, Seth Rogen’s Point Grey Pictures, and Elliot Page’s Pageboy Productions. The goal is to bring Canadian stars back home, while ensuring their projects can reach global audiences.

Changing Models of Ownership and Partnership

The days of media companies wanting complete control of content are fading.

Jennifer Abram, senior VP at Corus Entertainment, argued that shared ownership is now the way forward:
“It’s been liberating, because the collaboration, the creative conversations, are richer, the opportunities and ideas are becoming bigger than we could have on our own.”

By spreading both financial risk and creative responsibility, broadcasters and studios can ensure that more ambitious and globally resonant projects reach audiences.

Emerging Trends: AI, Budgets, and International Co-Productions

Panels at the Access Canada Summit also touched on broader industry trends:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): While controversial, AI tools are expected to play a role in production efficiency and content creation.

• Shrinking budgets: As costs rise, especially in the U.S., international co-productions are becoming vital to sharing expenses.

• Cross-border storytelling: Stories are increasingly designed for global audiences, not just regional ones.

These trends underline the hybrid nature of modern filmmaking—a blend of technology, creativity, and global partnerships.

Key Takeaways from the Access Canada Summit

Over three days in Toronto, one message became clear: the entertainment industry is in flux, but it is also full of possibilities.

• Global partnerships are the future. No single market can thrive in isolation.

• Theatrical releases are making a comeback. Audiences still crave shared cultural events.

• Studios must balance safety with innovation. Sequels and reboots can coexist with bold original stories.

• Canadian talent and infrastructure are global assets. Canada has proven itself as a hub for both creativity and production.

• Collaboration beats control. Shared risk and shared ownership unlock bigger, better stories.

Conclusion: Hollywood’s Next Chapter

The Access Canada Summit revealed both the fragility and resilience of the global entertainment business. While Hollywood may be experiencing turbulence, the conversations in Toronto highlighted new paths forward through co-productions, international alliances, and evolving audience behaviors.

As Canadian broadcasters, Hollywood studios, and international partners continue to adapt, the industry’s future will be shaped not by rigid models, but by a willingness to collaborate and innovate.

In a time of uncertainty, the summit’s biggest lesson is clear: success in entertainment today requires a truly global vision.