Cinema is here to stay; while there’s plenty to highlight that might paint a grim reality, optimism can be found everywhere. The truth is that plenty of passionate filmmakers and audiences want to experience daring films that push the boundaries of the cinema landscape. So, what does 2025 hold? Let’s discuss it!
1. Virtual Reality?
VR has been at the forefront of becoming a filmmaking trend since its increase in gaming over the years. While VR strips away what I see as the essential structure that allows any narrative film to succeed, anything is possible.
VR makes it challenging for stories not to unravel, and without carefully crafted cues to guide the viewer through the narrative, the experience risks devolving into passive observation of the environment, with only sporadic moments of genuine engagement. I don’t believe VR will ever become economically sustainable or evolve into a standard format for film, but it may become a more minor trend.
2. Indie Filmmaking Rise
Studios are looking for imaginative new writers, ideally with rewarding points for those who contribute to successful films. Independent studios, however, can take more creative risks, often pushing cinema forward in exciting ways.
Countless film festivals are prime places to discover fresh, original content. Indie studios are gaining influence, and I hope this artistic freedom continues to be preserved and celebrated.
3. Expanded Streaming Services
Streaming will continue to expand and dominate until the next big thing comes around—no one knows what that big thing is. For example, HBO has been around for a long time, and people are willing to pay extra for its content. Even if “Max” doesn’t last, HBO will endure. Before streaming existed, many people paid quite a few dollars a month for HBO, and there wasn’t even an “on-demand” option. So, with streaming costing less, it was a great deal compared to cable–and it still is!
4. Sustainable Video Production
Few sustainable protocols exist for film sets, and limited research or data exists on emissions and waste from production. Sets, especially post-COVID, have become incredibly wasteful. Hopefully, sustainability in production will become a greater focus within the film industry, but right now, it doesn’t appear to be a priority–much like in many other sectors.
5. AI? Friend or Foe?
AI is a very touchy subject, and rightfully so. There’s plenty that all artists and creatives should be wary of, given that major studios will do anything to make a quicker buck. The creative decisions and processes of making a film are beyond what AI can handle. Getting AI to produce a specific sequence often takes as much time as working with humans, who collaborate far more intuitively.
AI is most effective in filmmaking when it assists with repetitive tasks, speeding up processes like sorting through numerous takes, fixing glitches, and filling in between keyframes.
6. Diverse Storytelling
Filmmaking has expanded to tell stories that are less common than they were in the past. Indie filmmaking has paved the way for filmmakers of all backgrounds to get their stories on the big screen, and the trend doesn’t appear to decline in any way.
7. Theater vs. Home Viewing
Who knows what’ll happen to theaters in the future. Will home viewing continue to rise, and theaters remain how they’ve been in 2025? Regardless, experiencing a film as it was meant to be seen is essential to fully appreciating it.
8. Reboots
Many film fanatics have complained about reboots and non-original storylines throughout the 2000s. That trend continues for a while, with superhero movies, remakes, and sequels slated for 2025. Maybe someday, the superhero trend will end.
Leave a reply