IADT and the Creative Futures Academy are delighted to partner with The Entertainment IP Summit 2026 that will take place online, broadcast from the IADT National Film School Studios, on the 14th and 15th January 2026 bringing together senior decision-makers across film, TV, games, animation, publishing, podcasting, XR/VR and transmedia to examine how stories are developed, scaled and monetised across formats and global markets.

The two-day event is free to attend, with registration now open at The Entertainment IP Summit 2026. Registrants will also receive on demand access to all sessions for 90 days after the event.

The Summit opens with a headline keynote interview featuring Eoin Colfer, one of Ireland’s most successful authors and creator of the globally acclaimed Artemis Fowl series. Colfer has sold over 25 million books worldwide, with his work adapted into a major screen production with Disney starring Colin Farrell. His keynote will explore the art and business of building enduring IP from page to screen and beyond.

Supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland through the Screen Stakeholders funding scheme, the Summit will provide practical strategies for developing and sustaining IP in a rapidly shifting landscape. Covering story-creation and concept development, through branding and global expansion, to legal protection, fan engagement, and emerging formats. Across two days, attendees will gain practical insights into how to build, manage and monetise IP in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.

“We’re entering a new era of entertainment where stories no longer live in a single format,” said Suzanne Leyden of Calico Media Interactive, one of the event organisers alongside DV4. “Audiences build loyalty across screens. This event brings together the people pioneering cross-format IP- from franchises and fandom to AI-assisted development – to share what’s working right now and what’s coming next.”

“Conceived as a virtual event from the outset, the Entertainment IP Summit draws on DV4’s expertise and experience in producing successful online and hybrid events, allowing Calico Media to concentrate on delivering an outstanding line-up of speakers and sessions.”, Simon Fine, DV4.

Speakers & Highlights

• Eoin Colfer, best-selling author of Artemis Fowl
• Anthony Geffen, Atlantic Studios, director of Flying Monsters 3D with David Attenborough
• Professor Henry Jenkins, University of Southern California, widely regarded as “the godfather of transmedia”
• HaZ Dulull, Beyond the Pixels, pioneer in game-engine filmmaking
• Nuno Bernardo, beActive Media, expert in lean IP development
• Jeff Rivera, Collective 5, on greenlighting yourself with AI
• Bethany Thomson, Sea Star Productions, on the rise of mobile vertical video drama

Key Highlights of the 2026 Programme

Day 1 – 14th January 2026: “Exploring IP Development”

A deep dive into storytelling fundamentals, building concepts from scratch, branded entertainment strategies, regional broadcaster roles, and case studies of IP development in practice.

Day 2 – 15th January 2026: “IP Development – A Global Perspective”

A focus on fandom and audience building, mobile vertical video drama, Ireland’s unique advantages for IP development, the convergence of film-and-gaming, franchises, legal considerations and the rise of self-green-lighting through AI.

Who Should Attend

If you’re a creator, producer, studio executive, rights-holder, broadcaster, game developer, publisher or IP strategist looking to stay ahead of global entertainment trends, this event is designed for you. With speakers spanning academia, production, legal and digital innovation, the Summit offers rich cross-sector perspective.

Additional speaker announcements – including a marquee keynote – will follow in the coming weeks.

About the Entertainment IP Summit

The Entertainment IP Summit is the premier online event for senior decision-makers in film, TV, games, animation, publishing, XR/VR and transmedia. It delivers expert guidance on protecting, managing and monetising IP in a fast-changing global entertainment landscape.

In addition to support by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, the Summit partners are IADT and RTÉ.

Registration + Sponsorship

Registration is entirely free and open now via the Summit website.

Sponsors and partners interested in aligning with this high-level global gathering are invited to contact the event team at The Entertainment IP Summit 2026.