OPEN Exchange · Q4 2026 Summit

Our Story

Advancing our voices across media, arts and entertainment in the age of AI.

Media Leaders + Tech Leaders + Rising Talent

Sunday, Dec 13, 2026One full day

9:00 AM – 4:30 PMSummit + networking

Stanford Faculty ClubStanford University

~225 guestsCurated, limited seats

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Vision & Purpose

A curated one-day summit that convenes and connects executives, entrepreneurs, investors and emerging young professionals from our South Asian and Middle Eastern community across film, journalism, music, arts and social media.

FiresidesPanelsRoundtablesReception

Through inspired conversations and intentional community-building, the summit advances a single mission: to interconnect and galvanize our community toward greater representation and cultural presence in American society in the age of AI.

29Film, media & arts voices

19Tech & capital leaders

How the Day Works

Three Layers of Connectivity

A&E Peer to Peer

Industry figures connect, collaborate and align on shared priorities.

A&E Leaders → Rising Talent

Pathway-building between industry veterans and young professionals.

A&E Industry → Tech

Bridging creative leaders with tech innovators and investors.

Our Narrative

Reclaiming and shaping our story in mainstream media.

Our Business

The economics of the creative industry.

Our Future

AI and the next decade of entertainment.

Our Community

A lasting ecosystem of support, mentorship and investment.

Program

The Day at a Glance

Draft agenda, subject to change. Single-track plenary hall; no livestream or recording.

Morning · Gathering & Perspectives

9:00 AM

Doors Open & Registration

9:30 AM

Breakfast Roundtables

Seated breakfast with conversation prompts at every table.

10:30 AM

Opening Remarks

Welcome and summit overview from the hosts.

10:45 AM

Owning the NarrativePANEL

News and film leaders on representation, storytelling and breaking through.

11:20 AM

The Business of ShowFIRESIDE

A candid conversation on building media ventures from the inside.

11:50 AM

Creative Spotlights

Selected professionals share their projects and journeys.

Afternoon · Action & Community

12:15 PM

Lunch & Roundtables

Seated lunch built for meaningful connections.

1:30 PM

Where the Money GoesPANEL

Investors and tech leaders on funding, platforms and the economics of entertainment.

2:05 PM

AI Has Entered the ChatFIRESIDE

Creative and tech visionaries on media and entertainment in the age of AI.

2:35 PM

The Road AheadFIRESIDE

Our community's collective responsibility and action.

3:20 PM

Closing Remarks

A charge to collective action, and follow-up.

3:30 PM

Reception & Open Networking

The Stage

Who's in the Room

Media leaders, tech leaders and rising talent, under one roof.

Speaker

Kirstine Stewart

Media & Technology Executive

Former Head of Media at the World Economic Forum; former executive at Twitter North America and CBC.

Speaker

Tehmina Jaffer

EVP / Head of Business Affairs, Disney

Shaping the deals behind the stories on screen.

Speaker

Mo Naqvi

Director, Hanging by a Wire, Pakistan's official Oscar submission

▶ Trailer

Creator

Zarqa Nawaz

Creator, Little Mosque on the Prairie

Creator of the landmark CBC sitcom.

Film, Media & the Arts · Speakers & Hosts