Venue Change Proved Positive for LAS Independents, Which Continues Fighting to Maintain Value as Industry Meeting Point

The overall assessment of LA Screenings Independents 2026 was largely shaped by positive feedback regarding the event’s venue change. Attendance was lower compared to pre-pandemic years — levels that now seem unlikely to return — although business agendas remained active and key industry buyers were still present.

The selection of the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills was regarded by most sources consulted by PRODU as an improvement over the venue used in 2025.

Executives highlighted the modern facilities and prime location. Its proximity to restaurants, shopping areas and meeting spots in Beverly Hills facilitated mobility and off-schedule meetings, particularly important in a market where many negotiations and conversations also take place outside formal meeting rooms.

However, the operational experience also revealed some limitations linked to the dynamics of the market itself. Among the main issues mentioned was the lack of large common spaces, such as a lobby or networking areas, that would encourage spontaneous interaction among attendees.

This was compounded by the complexity of navigating the hotel due to the layout of floors and hallways, which made casual encounters between executives more difficult.

KEY BUYERS IN ATTENDANCE

Although attendance remained far below pre-Covid-19 levels, the market still attracted important companies from Latin America and the U.S. Hispanic sector.

Buyers in attendance included executives from TelevisaUnivision, Telemundo, TV Azteca, Globo, Caracol, RCN, Telefe, Artear, Canal 13 Chile, TVN Chile, Latina, Teletica, Canal 11 Honduras, Novazul, Telemicro, WAPA TV, Canal 10 Uruguay, Unitel Bolivia and Canela Media.

In contrast, one of the notable absences was Ecuadorian companies. Among the global studios and platforms participating were Disney, Amazon and Warner Bros. Discovery.

One area identified for improvement was the return of cocktail parties and networking events that encourage interaction among attendees. While there was an event hosted by KOCCA and another by WAWA, both took place on Wednesday, May 13, when most attendees had not yet arrived. A clear example was the informal happy hour organized by Inter Medya on May 15, which, despite not being part of the official schedule, became one of the most attended gatherings.

Although it was not officially part of the program, Inter Medya’s happy hour became one of the market’s most attended events

FULL AGENDAS DESPITE LOWER FOOT TRAFFIC

Exhibitors agreed that despite the general perception of lower attendance, meeting schedules remained active throughout the week.

According to several companies, the average was around 14 meetings per day, while some executives managed to hold up to 20 meetings daily. However, they also acknowledged that there were fewer informal meetings at tables and open spaces compared to previous editions.

Distributors from Europe and Turkey emphasized that, beyond the decline in overall attendance, LA Screenings Independents continues to be an important date on the international content calendar.

Its strategic timing between Content Americas and Mipcom remains one of the main reasons international companies continue participating to meet Latin American clients in Los Angeles.

For future editions of LA Screenings Independents, it will be essential to maintain the SLS Hotel as the venue — or choose a very similar property — but with confirmation much further in advance. Because the venue announcement came late, several exhibitors and buyers had to stay at nearby hotels instead.

THE KOREAN WAVE

Although South Korea has attended this and other international markets for several years, this time the South Korean delegation, led by the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), appeared far more open and approachable in creating meetings and networking opportunities with attendees.

While previous years also showed a willingness to connect with producers and industry representatives, cultural dynamics and relationship-building styles often made those interactions more limited or less spontaneous.

This year, however, there was a clear effort to facilitate interaction and strengthen both commercial and creative ties. In addition to the networking cocktail they hosted, KOCCA introduced an app specifically designed to coordinate meetings between delegates and market participants.

MBC America team

This tool helped organize schedules more efficiently, optimize time and make meetings between companies, producers and content buyers much smoother. The strategy was well received by attendees because it enabled more direct and effective conversations, creating a far more dynamic and collaborative environment than in previous editions.

Another aspect that particularly drew attention was the diversity of content presented. The South Korean delegation brought a wide range of proposals, from K-dramas and vertical microdramas to documentaries, competition formats and reality shows with truly innovative concepts.

Attendees especially highlighted the creativity behind the development of ideas and the ability to adapt content for different platforms and audiences, demonstrating why the Korean audiovisual industry continues to position itself as one of the most influential and versatile in the world.