AI in the film industry, When rapid technological evolution collides with creative execution, few sectors feel the seismic shift as acutely as the modern film industry and broader entertainment industry. As artificial intelligence dominates boardroom agendas, executives, regional filmmakers, and technology founders face a common challenge: separating speculative hype from actionable implementation. To establish a grounded perspective on these macro-shifts, The Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum, Australia (DELFOZ) hosted international business and marketing strategist Dave Gougé for a multi-day regional tour across South East Queensland during September 2025. His series of keynotes, strategic discussions, and industry exchanges offered local leaders a rare, insider look at the intersection of emerging technology, global scaling, and digital storytelling.
Rather than treating modern AI as an unprecedented disruption, Gougé framed current generative tools as a natural continuation of creative automation—noting that visual effects and visual storytelling have relied on algorithmic frameworks and machine-assisted pipelines for decades. Contextualising today’s innovations through this historical lens allows executive teams to move past reactive anxiety and focus on integrating innovative technology insights into their long-term organisational strategy. Drawing from his decades plus experience driving brand strategy and positioning during Wētā FX’s multi-billion-dollar evolution, Gougé shared how creative powerhouses maintain artistic integrity while building scalable, acquisition-ready corporate structures.
Gougé’s visit provided a high-impact narrative of cross-regional collaboration, connecting regional grassroots networks with major industrial infrastructure across the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.
Sunshine Coast Keynote & Council Roundtable: Co-hosted alongside The Screen Collective at Altitude 9 in Maroochydore, Gougé delivered a keynote address on the global trajectory of AI in the film industry to a record-setting crowd. Following the presentation, he participated in a strategic roundtable discussion with the regional City Council and economic development teams, exploring actionable pathways to transform the Sunshine Coast into a competitive, tech-forward film production hub.
Screen Queensland & Village Roadshow Studios: Moving south, the tour engaged directly with state-level film infrastructure. Gougé met with executive representatives at Screen Queensland and toured Village Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast, facilitating high-level dialogues on global delivery standards, technical pipelines, and attracting international physical production.
Gold Coast Hub “Production + Pints”: The tour concluded at the Palm Beach Currumbin Sports Club for a specialized film industry theme night hosted by the Gold Coast Innovation Hub. Shifting from traditional startup pitches to a dynamic fireside chat, Gougé shared lessons from Wētā FX’s $1.6B exit to Unity Technologies, fielding rapid-fire questions from regional entrepreneurs, investors, and local creatives.
Gougé’s tour showcased how regional ecosystems can bridge localized talent with international market standards. By bringing global experience directly to regional decision-makers, DELFOZ continues to pave the way for sustainable growth, upskilling, and tech adaptation across Australia’s screen sector—positioning regional leaders to access executive leadership resources and future-proof their creative operations.
About the Speaker
Dave Gougé is a business and marketing strategist operating at the nexus of emerging technology, entertainment, and global growth. As a former Head of Marketing & Publicity at Wētā FX for thirteen years, Gougé played a pivotal role in establishing the global authority of one of the world’s most decorated visual effects studios. His brand and positioning strategies contributed directly to Wētā’s $1.6B acquisition by Unity Technologies while driving global visibility for work that earned over 60 Oscar, BAFTA, Emmy, and Academy SciTech awards.
Currently serving on the Board of the Visual Effects Society and as a Beachhead Advisor for New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, Gougé consults globally with organisations navigating pivots, international scaling, and AI integration. A seasoned moderator and speaker featured in TEDx Santa Barbara, he annually leads executive business tracks at Europe’s premier VFX conference, FMX. Gougé remains a definitive voice on tech-culture leadership, visual storytelling, and navigating complex industrial transformations.
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