As we close the chapter on a transformative year and step into the opportunities of 2025, the team at Cast & Crew has once again turned to the future, taking a closer look at what's on the horizon for the entertainment industry. Each year, we consult with our experts to forecast upcoming trends and shifts, aiming to equip our clients with the insights and support they need at every turn. Looking ahead to 2025, we’ve gathered our team’s collective expertise to offer a glimpse of what’s next. Here’s what they had to say:
Ruby Avards, Head of Sales and Marketing, Sargent-Disc
“2024 felt like a year of recovery and resetting after the 2023 WGA and SAG strikes, with studios and streamers alike reassessing slates and rebalancing their landscapes. As we begin to say goodbye to 2024 and look ahead to 2025, we also welcome the newly introduced UK Independent Film Tax Credit (IFTC). Available for UK independent films starting October 30, 2024, I predict it will propel a resurgence of 'Great British Film,' creating more opportunities for UK homegrown talent to showcase their storytelling skills, both in front of and behind the camera, and bringing world-class entertainment to global audiences.
This initiative will open many job opportunities for UK-based crew who have weathered the challenges of the past 18 months. I am especially eager to watch the blossoming careers of our Sargent Disc NFTS scholars, whom we have been supporting for the past decade.
The 2020s have thus far been a decade of unprecedented change, and I am excited to witness the industry’s positive transformation with the adoption of new, technology-driven workflows. I look forward to supporting our clients with AP Automation, which will revolutionize production and accounting operations, alleviating pain points and allowing team members to focus on truly value-adding activities to support productions and the crew who work tirelessly to deliver the shows we all love and consume faster than a family bag of Haribo!”
Angela Barnes, SVP, Payroll Operations, Cast & Crew
“As we look toward 2025, it’s hard not to feel excited about the endless potential of the film industry. From technological advancements to shifts in storytelling, the industry is primed for a remarkable recovery.
One of the most exciting changes will be the continued push for diversity and inclusion, with films featuring more diverse casts and stories reflecting various cultural experiences. This will create a more globalized, inclusive environment, where audiences from all backgrounds can feel seen and inspired. Additionally, the rise of global filmmaking collaborations will lead to fresh, innovative storytelling that transcends borders, bringing diverse perspectives to the forefront. Technology will also play a major role, particularly through AI and deepfake technology, which will revolutionize filmmaking by creating hyper-realistic characters and even entire films. While this technology raises questions about authenticity, it will open up new creative possibilities. On the consumer side, streaming services will become even more personalized, using AI and data analytics to curate content based on mood and preferences, making the viewing experience more immersive and tailored.
By 2025, the blending of technology, culture, and creativity will elevate film and TV to new heights, creating an industry that is more inclusive, immersive, and inspiring than ever before. The journey is far from over, and the best is yet to come.”
Alan Ostfield, President, Cast & Crew Live Entertainment
“The live entertainment market in 2025 will continue its impressive run of resilience, innovation, and growth. From the major players in music and venues that consistently perform well, to independent organizations pushing boundaries, to established sports leagues innovating regularly, and emerging leagues providing compelling new content, the expansive live entertainment sector is poised for ongoing success.
Live entertainment holds a special place in the hearts and minds of both fans and brands. Anyone who has attended the wide array of live events available today knows the unique energy that can’t easily be replicated elsewhere. The powerful emotions stirred by tens of thousands of fans cheering for their favorite teams or singing along with beloved artists is an experience everyone craves. Fans keep flocking to these thrilling events, and brands remain eager to be associated with them.
To sustain this momentum, live entertainment must continue to innovate. Given recent achievements and the confidence in both established leaders and the entrepreneurial spirit within sports and entertainment, we can expect new venues, leagues, enhanced viewing options, special fan experiences, and creative brand integrations to invigorate the market.
The “power of live” will continue to be a defining force in 2025. All of us at Cast & Crew look forward to supporting this vibrant industry.”
Kevin Roen, Vice President, Cast & Crew Talent Payroll
“As the entertainment landscape evolves, so too does advertising, now dominated by social media and streaming. Television commercial breaks, once the primary way to reach audiences, have given way to content creators and influencers who connect with consumers through rapid, relatable messaging. In 2022, SAG-AFTRA introduced a new Commercials agreement, with changes like 52-week cycles, program airing caps, shifts in editing provisions, and the inclusion of Virtual Worlds and Augmented Reality. As the contract expires in 2025, further changes are expected.
The shift toward influencers and content creators will continue, leading to complex discussions about their classification as employees or independent contractors under IRS guidelines. The union’s expanding coverage of influencers will influence these dynamics, adding complexity to brand-influencer partnerships.
Streaming platforms will evolve, blending theatrical releases with original productions, and moving toward advertising-supported subscription models. This shift will drive advertising production, as streaming services redefine their relationships with television, film, and original content.
In all, advertising and entertainment industries must evolve together. As content creators, producers, and consumers, we will be deeply shaped by these changes. 2025 and beyond promises to be an exciting time for the industry.”
Stephanie Snipes, Chief Content Officer, Backstage
“We expect AI to have an increasingly significant impact on the industry, influencing everything from script generation to music creation. It also accelerates time-to-market and enables greater opportunities for experimentation with reduced risk. As the technology continues to advance, it is making notable strides. The entertainment industry must find ways to both mitigate and embrace these impacts on the art form, ensuring that artists are protected, biases are avoided, and the "soul" of the work remains intact.
Brands will increasingly rely on machine learning to personalize and enhance user experiences. Netflix already leverages this technology effectively, using machine learning to power content recommendations and analyze consumption habits. As streaming platforms continue to advance their machine learning capabilities, users will experience levels of personalization that we’ve never had before.
The data they collect has the potential to benefit content creators as well, helping them focus on the types of projects audiences are most eager to engage with. It also enables brands to make smarter decisions about which projects to greenlight, ensuring optimal ROI and reinforcing the "business" side of show business. However, this approach could significantly impact creativity—favoring cookie-cutter projects designed solely for profit over fostering an industry that allows more voices to be heard.”
Adrian Ward, President, Cast & Crew Financial Services
“2024 was expected to be the year the entertainment industry shook off the lingering effects of COVID and returned to full speed following the guild strikes. While the former was evident, the latter proved more challenging, as production activity resembled a steady climb rather than a full resurgence. Additionally, the varied fortunes of major studios and streamers have, in my view, primed 2025 to be a dynamic and transformative year.
In the independent sector, content production remains tricky to navigate. There are seemingly more obstacles than ever, including inconsistent global pre-sales, rising talent costs, and risk-averse capital markets. But if the independent world is known for one thing, it’s the ability to harness an entrepreneurial skillset and forge a path forward. Global demand for content continues to increase, and independent producers will meet that demand by quickly adapting to the changing landscape.
Cast & Crew Financial Services works closely with a wide variety of producers, supporting their efforts by providing guidance and financing for tax incentive programs and sales agreements that reflect the industry’s global nature. We are an essential part of the puzzle, moving at the industry’s pace, and will help facilitate the growth I anticipate for 2025 and beyond.”
