Glen Basner, the CEO of FilmNation Entertainment, received the Game Changer Award at the Zurich Summit, celebrated by “Conclave” director Edward Berger. During the event, Basner shared insights about his partnership with Berger and discussed upcoming projects. He expressed optimism about the film industry, noting a newfound understanding of market dynamics post-pandemic.
Basner revealed FilmNation’s plans to increase production, aiming for four films and a TV series this year, with a similar slate for the next. He highlighted potential award contenders for 2026, including Florian Zeller’s “Bunker” and Peter Farrelly’s “I Play Rocky.” Basner is enthusiastic about the mature audience market, challenging the notion that older viewers aren’t returning to theaters, as he believes in delivering high-quality films for that demographic.
Reflecting on “I Play Rocky,” Basner found the script reminiscent of the classic 1976 film, viewing it as an inspirational story about self-belief. He also noted the importance of collaboration in filmmaking, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue between filmmakers and producers to navigate distribution challenges successfully.
Overall, Basner remains excited about the future of FilmNation and confident in its ability to produce compelling, thought-provoking cinema.
