Digital Hollywood: The AI & Entertainment Summit

Monday, July 20th, 2026

9 – 9:50 PM Eastern Time Zone

Session I: A Virtual Event

Cinematic AI Achievement: An Extraordinary Standard of Excellence

Something extraordinary is happening in the world of Cinematic AI — and the evidence is on the screen. What began as an experiment in generated imagery has evolved into a genuine artistic movement, producing work of breathtaking visual beauty, emotional depth and narrative sophistication. The tools have matured. The artists have found their voice. And the results are redefining what cinema can be and who gets to make it. In this roundtable we celebrate and examine the highest standard of achievement in Cinematic AI — screening work from the most gifted filmmakers pushing the boundaries of the form, and asking the questions that matter most. What does excellence look like in this new era? Who is setting the standard? And what comes next?

Speakers:

Elizabeth Kiehner, Director, Engagement Management, Adobe, Moderator

Nik Kleverov, CCO, Native Foreign

Sarah DiLeo, Global Chief Production Officer, Studio X (Partnership of WPP & The Coca-Cola Company)

Davide Bianca, co-founder, GRAIL

Ed Ulbrich, Founder, Ulbrich Advisory, Industry Legend, former CEO of James Cameron’s Digital Domain

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    Elizabeth Kiehner

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    Nik Kleverov

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    Sarah DiLeo,

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    Davide Bianca

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    Ed Ulbrich,

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Elizabeth “Liz” Kiehner is an enterprise transformation leader focused on experience in all forms and manifestations (physical, digital and virtual). Liz is driven by the simple principle that customer experience and employee experience are two sides of the same coin. With over a decade of expertise in human centered design, Liz anchors organizations on a belief that to win more customers and market share, one must win internal customers first – employees.  An experience alchemist, Liz, spent much of her career creating customer facing products, apps and campaigns working at the nexus of tech, brand, design and purpose. Liz brings a diverse 20+ year background in the start-up, corporate and non-profit worlds with a passion for leading through change with expertise ranging from design research to workforce transformation to organizational change with a spotlight on the people, culture and process side of a digital transformation.  This includes the strategic use of automation and AI and other exponential technologies to shape the way we create, deploy and sustain new ways of working with little disruption.  Liz’s passion for human rights and equality manifests in many ways from her writing and activism to board membership with https://polarisproject.org/ and https://www.nerdygirlsuccess.com.  Her global experience includes engagements throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Liz has a proven track record in developing and implementing market-driven strategies and managing global teams and books of business. Committed to generating a positive impact and inspiring others, Liz is a sought after keynote speaker, and moderator worldwide.


Nik Kleverov, an Emmy-grade storyteller, is CCO of Native Foreign, a renowned agency celebrated for its innovative approach to brand storytelling and design. From his viral AI-powered film for Toys"R"Us to the iconic Narcos title sequence for Netflix, Nik’s work highlights his expertise in merging creativity with technology. He is a leading voice on how AI is reshaping the future of storytelling.


Davide Bianca is an Emmy award-winning Executive Creative Director, strategist, and technologist with nearly two decades at the forefront of creative innovation. His work with Hollywood studios, TV networks, gaming companies, and global brands like Google, Coca-Cola, and Nike has helped shape pop culture, blending storytelling with cutting-edge technology to captivate audiences worldwide. With 22 Cannes Lions, 29 Clios, and an Emmy, Davide expertly guides vision and strategy in AI and emerging tech within production pipelines, bridging creativity and technology to shape the future of immersive entertainment.