If there’s one thing I’ve learned from producing, it’s that change is the only constant. Platforms come and go. Technology evolves. Audience behaviors shift. And if you’re not already thinking five years ahead, you’re already behind.

As someone who lives and breathes storytelling, not just on screen but behind it, I’ve spent a lot of time lately thinking about the next decade of production. Where are we heading? What should we be building now to thrive later? What’s going to separate the producers who survive from the ones who shape the future?

Here are a few of the trends I believe will define the next ten years of this industry, some exciting, some urgent, and all of them worth paying attention to.

1. AI Will Revolutionize Pre-Production—But Not Replace Creatives

Let’s get this one out of the way: AI is here to stay. From script breakdowns to budgeting, casting suggestions to location scouting, AI tools are already reshaping the early stages of production.

But here’s the thing: it’s not replacing producers, directors, or writers, it’s augmenting them. The best producers of the future won’t fear AI; they’ll know how to use it to unlock time, streamline logistics, and leave more room for creative thinking.

What we need to focus on now is developing ethical frameworks, upskilling our crews, and making sure these tools are being designed with artists in the room. The goal isn’t to automate storytelling—it’s to make space for better storytelling.

2. International Co-Productions Will Be the Norm, Not the Niche

The Canadian industry has long relied on co-productions, but what used to be about budget efficiency is fast becoming about creative opportunity. Platforms want global stories. Audiences are more language-agnostic than ever. And producers who know how to navigate multiple markets are in high demand.

I’ve been spending more time in Europe, and what I’m seeing is a growing appetite for stories that straddle cultures, continents, and identities. The producers of the next decade will need to think globally, not just in distribution, but in development. That means building real partnerships across borders and understanding how to create content that resonates universally while staying rooted locally.

3. We Need to Rethink the Financing Pipeline

The old model of selling a show to one buyer and hoping it recoups is breaking down. Fast.

The next decade will be about stacking multiple funding sources, from private equity and brand integration to decentralized models and even crowdfunding for early development. Producers will need to think more like entrepreneurs, creative in both pitch and packaging.

I also believe we’re going to see more media funds and production companies launching their own IP pipelines, not just waiting for buyers to call. The studios that survive will be the ones that understand that content is no longer a single transaction, it’s a long-term asset.

4. The Rise of the Multi-Hyphenate Talent

The next generation of talent isn’t just acting: they’re writing, directing, producing, building brands, and building audiences from the ground up.

And as a producer, I love that.

What that means is we’re going to have to shift how we work with creators. It’s not about slotting people into old-school silos. It’s about collaborating with fully-formed creative entrepreneurs who have vision beyond one role. The best producers of the next decade will be those who know how to empower talent, not control them.

5. Geo-Politics Will Shape Production Decisions

It might not be sexy, but we’re heading into a decade where production will be shaped not just by trends, but by global events. Whether it’s labor strikes, censorship laws, trade agreements, or environmental crises: location choice, talent movement, and even content themes will be affected by what’s happening geopolitically.

Producers need to get better at reading those signals. What happens in Hollywood doesn’t stay in Hollywood anymore. We need to understand how global infrastructure from fiber optics to language policy, affects our ability to shoot, post, and distribute content.

6. Sustainability Will Become a Standard, Not a Selling Point

Green production is no longer optional.

We’re heading into an era where funders, audiences, and even insurance companies will want to see real environmental accountability. That means fewer flyaway shoots, more virtual production, greener set practices, and carbon tracking built into every budget.

The next wave of producers will treat sustainability the way we treat safety: as part of the production plan, not an afterthought.

7. The Real Power Will Be in Building Ecosystems

What excites me the most? The idea that the most impactful producers in the next ten years won’t just be making shows, they’ll be building systems. Networks of talent. Shared IP pipelines. Creative studios that double as incubators and communities.

That’s my personal focus. I’m not just thinking about the next production, I’m thinking about the next 50. How do we create scaffolding for creators to grow? How do we make sure our production houses are places where people belong, not just get hired?

Because if we want a strong, resilient Canadian (and global) screen industry, we need to stop thinking in cycles and start thinking in generations.

The Long Game: Why Vision Matters More Than Ever

The future of production isn’t about gimmicks or shortcuts. It’s about thoughtful, strategic vision, paired with a willingness to experiment and evolve.

If there’s one thing I hope we take into the next decade, it’s this: great producers aren’t just reacting to trends, they’re shaping them. They’re building pathways, not just content. They’re making sure that the next generation of storytellers has a runway long enough to take flight.

And for me, that’s the kind of future worth producing.