London, 8 September 2025 – IBC today announced details of the IBC2025 Talent Programme, returning for its second year on 12 September with a powerful mix of skills development, entry-level sessions, initiatives to foster career development and talks on inclusion and diversity across the media and entertainment (M&E) sector. Joining the Talent Programme in Future Tech in Hall 14 in the RAI Amsterdam is another event aimed at education and skills development: the IBC x Google Cloud Hackfest (13–14 September), where over 150 developers, creatives and media technologists will compete in a two-day sprint to prototype new AI-powered broadcast solutions. Alongside Hackfest will be an interactive, AI-powered Google AI Penalty Shoot Out and Formula E racing simulators, where fans experience instant analysis and broadcast technology in action.

“Now in its second year, the Talent Programme is designed to explore the M&E professional landscape in its broadest sense so that, no matter where you are in your media career, there is a ton of insight and advice on offer from amazing speakers that will inform and inspire,” said James McKeown, IBC Talent Programme Coordinator.

“The Talent Programme and Hackfest together reflect IBC’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators while giving established professionals a platform to experiment with the technologies shaping our industry,” added Mark Smith, IBC Accelerator Founder and Lead, and IBC Council Chair. “By combining skills development, mentoring and real-time collaboration with global leaders like Google Cloud, we are creating an environment where talent can thrive and where breakthrough ideas can take shape.” 

The discussion and celebration around skills and diversity kicks off the day before IBC2025 opens with the World Skills Café (11 September), the flagship skills and diversity event from Global Media and Entertainment Talent Manifesto. This year’s edition introduces Ignite, a new international mentoring programme for people of colour entering or advancing within M&E technology.

IBC Talent Programme: Skills, Mentoring and Networking

Hosted by Oisin Lunny, an award-winning marketer, podcaster and event MC, the 2025 IBC Talent Programme brings together industry leaders, advocacy groups and young professionals for a day of debate, professional advice, mentoring and inspiration. The sessions take place on the Talent Programme Stage in Future Tech. Highlights include:

• Opening panel on recruitment, retention and representation – featuring SMPTE, RTS, ITN, Christy Media, and the Global Media and Entertainment Talent Manifesto.
• Talent showcase – including the global student broadcast On Air being run by Global Media and Entertainment Talent Manifesto, and insights from the HBS internship programme.
• Mentorship in action – featuring Rise, #GALSNGEAR, Women in Streaming Media, and Women in Immersive Tech Europe.
• Untapped Talent session – exploring how to build a sustainable talent pipeline.
• Networking Hour (closing drinks) – with fast-pitch intros from M&E companies, including BBC, ITN, HBS, RTS, Grass Valley and more, followed by open networking.

“The IBC Talent Programme is a lively professional power-up packed with the hottest trends, knowledge and connections arriving at a time when it is very much needed,” said Lunny. “Against the backdrop of GenAI disruption, sector consolidation, broken onramps, and a chasm between talent and opportunity, the IBC Talent Programme bridges the divides with a welcome helping hand.”

Noted Carrie Wootten, CEO, Global Media and Entertainment Talent Manifesto: “The IBC Talent Programme provides the global M&E community an opportunity for fostering fresh perspectives, as well as nurturing and supporting the next generation of talent.” 

Deepali Narsiker, Head of Allyship, Women in Streaming Media, added: “It is a fantastic initiative for nurturing talent, making it more inclusive for everyone. I'm really looking forward to seeing the discussions and connections made this year."

Hackfest x Google Cloud: Code. Create. Innovate.

In the two days following the Talent programme, the IBC x Google Cloud Hackfest will push participants to tackle real-world challenges using Google Cloud, Gemini AI and partner technologies. Lightning talks from Ateme, Bitmovin, Formula E, Monks, Norsk, Shure, TechX, Vizrt and Zixi among many others that will run throughout the weekend, along with mentoring from Google Cloud coaches.

The Hackfest speaker sessions range from practical tech deep-dives — such as AI curation for media from Vionlabs, and Google Ad Manager integration — to forward-looking development from industry experts working on IBC Accelerator Media Innovation Programme projects.

On the last day of Hackfest, Buzz Hayes, Global Market Lead Entertainment Industry at Google Cloud, along with Gunpowder Tech, will discuss groundbreaking project to turn the Wizard of Oz into an immersive 4D experience with AI-enhanced visuals and physical effects.

Onsite interactive, AI-driven attractions running alongside the Hackfest include:

• Google AI Penalty Shoot Out – a fan-winning activation where visitors test their football skills against AI-powered analysis.
• Formula E racing simulators – Gemini AI compares your lap to pro drivers, offering real-time coaching.

Hackfest will also integrate a live production pipeline drawing on feeds from Formula E and the Penalty Shoot Out, allowing teams to experiment with AI-assisted editing, ad insertion, and creative content generation.

Networking event and more info

The IBC Talent Drinks take place on 12 September at 5-6:30 pm near the Talent Programme Stage in Hall 14, and all event attendees are welcome.

The IBC Talent Programme and Hackfest are free-to-attend sessions. More details can be found at: https://show.ibc.org/talent-programme.

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About IBC

Delivering innovation and empowering people, IBC is where the future of the global Media and Entertainment industry is defined and actioned. Energising the market, enabling content everywhere and inspiring new conversations, IBC brings the creative, technology and business communities together to collaborate, learn and unlock new opportunities.

At IBC2025, exhibitors and speakers from around the globe will showcase game-changing innovations and tackle the media sector’s most pressing trends and issues – changing perceptions and meeting the needs of the world-leading broadcasters, content owners, rightsholders, service providers and others attending the four-day conference and trade show.

With a focus on inclusivity, IBC propels change – driving thought leadership, sparking discussion, shifting expectations, accelerating creativity and enabling real business outcomes.

IBC’s mission is to empower our 250,000-strong global community to explore new opportunities, build knowledge, and play an active role in the technological transformation and broader change sweeping the industry worldwide.

For further information, please visit: https://show.ibc.org/ 

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