CULVER CITY, CA — September 25, 2026 — As the sun rises over the historic Sony Pictures Studio lot tomorrow, the global epicenter of audio post-production will shift to Culver City. The 13th annual Mix Presents Sound for Film & Television is set to open its doors, welcoming an elite assembly of Oscar-winning sound designers, innovative composers, and industry-leading technologists for a day of discourse that promises to define the sonic landscape of the coming year.
Widely regarded as the premier gathering for the post-production community, this year’s event arrives at a pivotal inflection point for the industry. With advancements in immersive audio, AI-driven sound separation, and the rapid evolution of remote, cloud-based workflows, the conference serves as both a celebration of current cinematic achievements and a vital summit for navigating the future of the craft.
The Vanguard of Audio Innovation
The event kicks off with a high-profile Keynote Conversation: Fear, Tension, and the Psychology of Sound. Featuring the collaborative insights of award-winning composer Tyler Bates and two-time Oscar-winning supervising sound editor Karen Baker Landers, the session aims to dissect the invisible architecture of cinematic storytelling. By exploring how specific frequencies, silence, and dynamic range influence audience physiology, the keynote sets a tone of deep, analytical engagement that will permeate the day’s proceedings.
“This isn’t just a showcase of technology; it’s a masterclass in the human experience of sound,” says a spokesperson for the event. “When you bring minds like Bates and Baker Landers together, you aren’t just talking about decibels—you’re talking about the subconscious language of film.”
A Chronology of Sound: The Day’s Agenda
The program is meticulously structured across the historic Sony lot’s iconic theaters, offering attendees a multifaceted look at the most talked-about projects of 2026.
Morning Sessions: From World-Building to Industry Entry
The day begins with a dual track of panels. In the main series, industry veterans Vicki Lamar, Christian Buenaventura, David Semon, and Sang Jun Kim will lead a vital discussion on Entering the Industry: Taking the Next Step, providing mentorship for the next generation of sound editors. Simultaneously, the creative team behind the visually and aurally stunning Spider-Noir and the critically acclaimed series Beef will pull back the curtain on their FX, Foley, and music workflows.
As the morning progresses, the Sound of Horror panel—featuring experts Duncan McRae, Brad Zoern, Marti Humphrey, and Jay Jennings—will examine the specific, visceral challenges of designing audio that triggers a genuine fear response.
Afternoon Highlights: The Epic and the Immersive
The Cary Grant Theater will host an afternoon of technical deep-dives. Attendees will gain access to the granular details of The Odyssey, as David Butler, Craig Henighan, and Gary Rizzo break down the production process from initial discovery to final mix. This will be followed by a rare look into the sonic world of Avatar: Fire and Ash, where composer Simon Franglen and Christopher Mallamaci will explore the intersection of composition, advanced technology, and final-stage mixing.
For those tracking the evolution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the panel on Spider-Man: Brand New Day will offer insights from Onnalee Blank, Greg P. Russell, and Jack Whitaker, detailing the complexities of balancing massive-scale action sequences with intimate character-driven sound design.
Supporting Data: The Technical Evolution
The 2026 event places a significant emphasis on the “How” behind the “Wow.” This is evidenced by the robust participation of major technology partners across the studio lot.
- Immersive Workflows: In the Google/Samsung ADR 1 suite, the focus turns to the consumer end of the spectrum with Eclipsa Audio. The sessions will demonstrate how cinematic immersive sound is being adapted for home environments and, crucially, how these high-end workflows are being integrated into the creation of YouTube product flows.
- The Future of Collaboration: OWC will host a critical conversation in the William Holden Theater titled, “Dear Cloud, It’s Not Working Out: A New Era of Collaboration.” Featuring Jon Hoeg, Jack Goodman, and Michael Cioni, the session will address the friction points of current remote work trends and propose new, more efficient models for the global post-production team.
- AI and Sound Separation: Focusrite’s presentation on Stage 17, “Nothing Is Locked, Nothing Is Lost: Sound Separation in Modern Post,” promises to be one of the day’s most discussed topics. As AI-assisted stem separation becomes a standard tool, professionals are grappling with the ethical and practical implications of a world where audio is no longer “locked.”
Studio Spotlight: Industry-Defining Collaborations
The Studio Sponsors track, held in the Kim Novak Theater, offers a rare, high-level view of how major studios are navigating modern production demands.
Dreamworks Animation will present Myth, Magic & Sound: Forgotten Island, featuring legendary sound mixer Randy Thom. The session is expected to be a masterclass in animation sound design, where every layer must be constructed from the ground up. Later, Studio Post (an NBCUniversal company) will shift the focus to the human element of production with a panel on Turning New Relationships into Award-Worthy Collaborations.
Amazon MGM Studios rounds out the block with Crafting the Sound of Connection: Inside Project Hail Mary. With industry titans Erik Aadahl, Michael Semanick, and Ethan Van der Ryn on the panel, this session will examine how to maintain narrative intimacy within the grand, expansive soundscapes required by big-budget science fiction.
Implications for the Industry
The gathering at Sony Pictures Studios represents more than just a networking opportunity; it is a barometer for the state of the art. The recurring themes of the day—collaboration, AI-integration, and immersive home delivery—signal a shift in the role of the sound engineer. No longer confined to the studio floor, the modern sound designer must be a technologist, a psychologist, and a remote-workflow manager.
“The industry is changing faster than ever,” says Mark Mangini, who will also participate in the INDEPTH LIVE! panel. “Events like these are essential because they force us to stop working in silos. When you put the people who are building the software in the same room as the people who are mixing the biggest films in the world, the resulting dialogue dictates the direction of the entire medium.”
A Call to the Community
As the registration window for the 13th annual Mix Presents Sound for Film & Television begins to close, the urgency to attend is palpable. The event is not merely for seasoned professionals; it is a vital training ground for those entering the industry and a necessary retreat for those looking to stay ahead of the technological curve.
For those unable to attend in person, the ripple effects of the information shared tomorrow will be felt throughout the industry in the coming months. From new technical standards to shifts in creative philosophy, the takeaways from the Sony lot will inevitably influence the sound of the films and series arriving on our screens in 2027 and beyond.
The event organizers emphasize that with capacity limits and high demand, interested parties should act immediately to secure their spot.
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
- Location: Sony Pictures Studios, Culver City, CA
- Registration: Available via the official Mix Presents Sound for Film & Television website.
As the curtain rises on another year of cinematic innovation, the message from the Culver City lot is clear: the future of sound is being built right now, and the most brilliant minds in the business are ready to share the blueprint. Whether you are a veteran mixer, a budding sound designer, or a curious creative, this is the one day of the year where the pulse of the industry beats the loudest.
