Recorded live at Focus London 2025, this episode captures a timely conversation at the intersection of creativity, technology, and storytelling. As Large Language Models like ChatGPT rapidly reshape creative workflows, many filmmakers are asking how much of the creative process should be handed over to machines.

Producers Without Borders founder Kayvan Mashayekh sits down with renowned mathematician and bestselling author Edward Frenkel, Ph.D. (Love and Math) to explore why human intelligence, intuition, and lived experience remain irreplaceable in film creation. They examine the limits of AI, the risks of relying on tools trained on the past, and the responsibility artists carry to push culture forward through original vision and emotional truth.

Rather than resisting technology, this conversation re-frames AI as a tool that must serve human creativity, not replace it. In an age of algorithms, this episode is a reminder that the future of cinema still depends on the courage, imagination, and intent of filmmakers.

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How charitable dollars from foundations and donor advised funds (DAFs) can open up the door to a wave of financing for your next creative project.

Rick Davis of LOHAS delivers a clear and disciplined breakdown of how filmmakers can tap into the power of charitable foundations and donor advised funds (DAFs). This conversation guides filmmakers, attorneys, and accountants through practical strategies for using charitable dollars to support projects stuck in development and to invest in the growing field of social impact entertainment. Davis explains how these funding sources can unlock meaningful capital for mission-driven films, helping creative projects move forward while aligning with the philanthropic goals of foundations and donors.

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Why Houston? Texas' New State Film Incentives.

Producers Without Borders is proud to present its Hometown Edition podcast with Houston Film Commissioner, Alfred Cervantes. Houston is the birthplace of the company that created the network that has gone global, rooted in the characteristics that define our DNA worldwide: Authenticity, Integrity and Loyalty.

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What makes a film production successful beyond the technical aspects and financing? Kayvan Mashayekh, founder of Producers Without Borders, reveals the human elements that truly drive exceptional filmmaking during this intimate conversation at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.

Mashayekh offers rare candor about the unpredictable nature of film production, from development timelines that can span decades to the lightning-fast creation possibilities enabled by modern technology and AI. He addresses the perpetual tension between artistic vision and financial reality, acknowledging that even with perfect creative elements, countless variables can derail a project's potential success. "You never know," he admits when asked about predicting audience reception, highlighting how the most carefully planned productions remain vulnerable to external factors beyond a producer's control.

At the heart of Mashayekh's philosophy are three guiding principles that form the foundation of Producers Without Borders: maintaining an attitude of gratitude, being responsive to others, and paying it forward by helping fellow creatives achieve their dreams. Through a humorous anecdote about a production in Uzbekistan, where a perfect sunset shot was sacrificed when a camel handler stopped for prayer time, Mashayekh illustrates how cultural understanding and flexibility often matter more than technical perfection. His approach emphasizes authentic relationships that can withstand the industry's inevitable hardships and disappointments.

Discover why meaningful collaboration might be the most undervalued asset in filmmaking as Mashayekh shares insights from his extensive experience building teams across borders. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or industry veteran, these perspectives offer valuable guidance for navigating the complex intersection of creativity, commerce, and human connection that defines modern film production. Listen now and re-imagine what truly matters in bringing stories to life on screen.

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What does it really take to bring a film to life across continents? In this episode of Producers Without Borders, host Kayvan Mashayekh sits down with Glenn Gainor (Amazon Studios), Xavier Roy (Froggie Production) and Lola Legros (Film Paris Region) to unpack the challenges and rewards of French–American collaborations. From navigating financing opportunities to bridging creative and logistical gaps, this conversation is a must-listen for producers working internationally—or hoping to do so.

***IMPORTANT FOOTNOTE***

PWB is proud to announce that our first ever credited film, "Freud's Last Session" starring Anthony Hopkins and Matthew Goode will be theatrically released in France via Condor Distribution starting on June 4th, 2025!

The film's French Title is "Freud, La Dernière Confession" Un Film de Matt Brown was produced by Meg Thomson and a host of PWB members who collaborated on bringing this remarkable film to audiences worldwide.

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Producers Without Borders launched its first ever podcast officially on March 9, 2025 in Austin, Texas. It's Founder, Kayvan Mashayekh, hosted a lively discussion with Kami Asgar, Valentina Bove, and Glenn Gainor.

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