Pam Abdy, Mike De Luca to Speak at Toronto Market Summit

Toronto Intl. Film Festival’s first-ever market, known as TIFF: The Market, has revealed that Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group co-chairs and CEOs Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca will headline the Speakers’ Summit.

The executives will take part in an in-depth conversation on Sept. 11 with TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey at the Summit, which is part of the Market’s Dialogues program. Variety is the media partner of the program.

They will discuss “the evolving role of studios in an increasingly global marketplace, the art of identifying and developing award-winning content, and the opportunities and challenges shaping both the current entertainment landscape and the future of film,” the Market said.

Their movies, including multiple Academy Award-winners like “Sinners,” “Weapons” and “One Battle After Another,” topped the domestic and global box offices for 15 and 16 weeks respectively last year, and were among the year’s 10 highest-grossing films, earning more than $4 billion worldwide.

Bailey said, “We are excited to welcome Pam and Mike to our inaugural Market. They have consistently combined creative excellence with strategic vision and strong business leadership, and their track record speaks for itself.

“Throughout their careers, they have championed exceptional talent, embraced innovation, and helped shape a rapidly evolving industry. Their insights and experience make them ideal voices for this pivotal moment and invaluable contributors to the marquee conversations that will define the expansive slate of Market programming.”

Abdy and Luca responded, “For more than half a century, TIFF has championed bold creative visions, serving as a global stage where films of every genre can be discovered and celebrated. That same spirit drives Warner Bros., where we remain committed to nurturing distinctive voices across each of the studio’s theatrical labels.

“We are thrilled to take part in TIFF’s inaugural Market, and to continue bringing ambitious films to audiences around the world.”

Charles Tremblay, head of TIFF: The Market, said, “Dialogues is an essential platform for conversations that are straightforward and genuinely useful to professionals working in every area of the business. We are confident that Pam and Mike’s Dialogues session will deliver the practical insights that our delegates need to navigate an ever-changing global industry.”

Additional speakers and program details for the Dialogues series and the full Speakers’ Summit, supported by Ontario Creates, will be announced in the coming weeks.

TIFF: The Market takes place Sept. 10-16.