Roos van der Jagt is a visionary filmmaker, AI producer, and creative strategist with over 15 years of experience at the intersection of cinema, storytelling, and emerging technologies. As founder of Earth Rising, she develops speculative formats that fuse generative AI, immersive platforms, and narrative design to push the boundaries of digital storytelling. Her work has been featured at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), Cannes, and NYU’s GenART and MIT AI Cinema Hackathon. She is currently developing Miss Algorithmique: The Feminist Oracle Voice of the Future, a transmedia project exploring algorithmic voice, synthetic intimacy, and feminist tech aesthetics.
Roos is a CPP (Creator Partnership Program) member with ImagineArt, Pixverse, Hailuo, and SkyReels, actively shaping the future of AI video, voice, and cinematic content. At Digital Hollywood 2025, she presents a keynote proposal for ImagineArt’s brand integration into the international film industry, focusing on AI-powered positioning strategies, creative trust-building, and the future of visual storytelling. Her contribution bridges artistic experimentation and strategic brand value — with a sharp eye on what's next.

Lucien Harriot is a futurist, VFX Supervisor, and President of Mechanism Digital—a New York City-based studio he founded in 1996. With nearly three decades of experience in visual effects, animation, and next-gen media, Lucien is a trailblazer in the convergence of AI, VFX, XR, and immersive storytelling. His award-winning studio serves a broad range of clients, from feature films and episodic content to medical education and global marketing campaigns. Lucien is a recognized expert in the integration of generative AI into creative pipelines. He consults privately with studios and agencies, helping them adopt advanced AI workflows to elevate storytelling, production efficiency, and visual fidelity. He also authored the new AI chapter in the upcoming 4th edition of the Visual Effects Society Handbook, drawing on insights from his ongoing GenAI2.0 webinar series. Known for his agile problem-solving and forward-thinking approach, Lucien leads teams of technical artists across both studio and on-set environments. Under his leadership, Mechanism Digital continues to push boundaries with AR/VR, immersive platforms, and AI-enhanced post-production. Lucien is a member of the Visual Effects Society and the Producers Guild of America, and a regular speaker at industry events. His mission: to bridge emerging technologies with creative production—and to help shape the future of digital storytelling.

John Attard, founder, Showdog Studios: Award-winning VFX Artist, developer, Supervisor and Producer John Attard has been a principal figure in the visual effects community for over twenty years. His expertise in Stereo 3D production, virtual production and digital production pipeline architecture has been reflected in work done for major companies such as Warner Brothers, Disney, Nissan and Toyota. Attard has lent his expertise to some very significant blockbuster films A few of his credits include The Avengers, Gladiator, Blackhawk Down, Jungle Book, Pitch Black, Minority Report, and Holes.

Evette Vargas, CoFounder, Indigo Reign Films: Evette Vargas is an award-winning writer, director, producer and immersive storyteller. Named by the New York Times as an “Artist to Watch,” Vargas has produced series for Amazon, MTV, Bravo, DirectTV; and interactive content for Fast And Furious, Lord Of The Rings trilogy, Madonna and Wu-Tang Clan. Vargas executive produced, wrote and directed her digital series Dark Prophet, starring Henry Rollins, which was in contention for two Emmys. Vargas has a drama series set up at Entertainment One, a drama series at MGM Television with Marc Guggenheim and Rosario Dawson serving as executive producers, and sold her drama series, Muses, to TNT Super Deluxe. Vargas is currently writing a feature film for Reyes King Productions, developing a series for Shout! Factory and Twentyone14 Media, and developing the television slate for Hidden Empire Film Group. Vargas wrote The Current War VR Experience, a companion piece for the film, starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Vargas was commissioned by Final Draft to create the Evette Vargas Immersiveplay, the professional script writing template for VR, AR, XR writing. A staunch activist for inclusion and equity, Vargas founded The Writers Room 5050 to mentor storytellers and create opportunities for their next-level success. A member of the Writers Guild of America, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and Producers Guild of America, Vargas was born in the Bronx and learned to tell stories at the dinner table where imagination ruled. Vargas collects action figures, typewriters and shoes; has past lives as a DJ, a fashion designer, and is a recovering New York City advertising Art Director.

Shaun Foster is a Professor of 3D Digital Design, Professor, and Strategic Technology & Innovation Specialist at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). With 20+ years of experience at the crossroads ofinteractive 3D design, XR/VR, AI, and education innovation, Shaun helps organizations and educators leverage emerging technologies for transformative learning and creative experiences. A recognized leader in next-gen 3D graphics, immersive media, and interdisciplinary collaboration, Shaun has led award-winning projects across national television, advertising, product marketing, andinteractive learning. His work bridges creative design, advanced technology, and strategic innovation, helping teams and institutions navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape. Shaun is a (Gold) Authorized Unreal Engine Instructor, an Epic Games ICVFX Fellow, and an RIT Faculty Fellow of Generative AI. His current focus includes XR/VR eye tracking, AI-driven experiences, previz-virtual production, and collaborative 3D ecosystems using Unreal Engine and UEFN. He frequently collaborates on global innovation initiatives and serves as a thought leader on the convergence of generative AI, 3D design, and future-focused education.

Rich Sutton, Managing Partner, DMRS Advisory, LLC: Highly regarded and with proven success in digital media, Sutton has more than 30 years of experience in management, marketing, startups, turnarounds and working to grow world-class brands. Sutton's been Chief Revenue Officer at Everyday Health, Trusted Media Brands and The Daily Mail. Previously, he was Senior Vice President of consumer markets at WebMD, where he tripled and broadened the company’s client base. Prior to joining WebMD, Sutton served as Senior Vice President for Warner Bros. Entertainment where he led digital media sales and client marketing for Warner Bros. Online for more than 13 years. Sutton’s work with brands has been recognized by Ad Age, Forbes, AAAA, and Adweek, among other industry publications, and online and marketing awards. He is the author of “Best Practices in Branded Entertainment” for the Association of National Advertisers, as well as several White Papers for Trusted Media Brands, including: “The Future of Digital Video” and “Can Video and Native Formats Rule Mobile Advertising?”. In 2018 Digiday named Sutton "Top Boss.” Partnered with Doug McFarland, Sutton today is Managing Partner of DMRS Advisory, LLC. www.dmrsadvisory.com With a wide range of clients, start-ups to Fortune 100 companies, DMRS Advisory consults on business growth, go-to-market strategy as well as fundraising. Rich lives on Long Island with his wife of 30 years Wendy who consistently beats him at Scrabble. Sutton’s side hustle is commercial voice over work: www.richsuttonvoiceover.com