Disney is using a glitzy L.A. premiere to court creators with Hollywood ambitions

It’s been nearly 100 years since Disney released its first short film, and the Mouse House is looking toward the future of Hollywood. In collaboration with creator economy talisman Jon Youshaei, Disney is hosting a multi-day showcase called Created in L.A.

Created in L.A. will be a two-day affair. On September 17, the historic El Capitan theater will host a red carpet premiere for creator videos. Then, on the 18th, the action will shift to the Burbank Studio lot, where Hollywood execs and creator voices will headline a one-day conference.

The arrival of Created in L.A. coincides with a boom period for creators in the film industry. Horror maestros like Kane Parsons and Curry Barker are dominating the domestic box office, Colin and Samir recently hosted a get-together for creators with Hollywood ambitions, and YouTube is preparing to begin broadcasting the Oscars in 2029.

The conference segment of Created in L.A. will feature discussions about creator influence in the movie biz, but the first half of the event asks a different question: What if the videos creators are releasing on platforms like YouTube are the real future of cinema? The premiere at El Capitan will break new ground by receiving creator content with the same fanfare that accompanies the release of a new Marvel movie.

“This is historic. After 100 years, it’s surreal to see Disney open two of its most iconic venues — the El Capitan Theatre and the Walt Disney Studios lot — to creators, especially now that the worlds of Hollywood and creators are growing closer than ever,” Youshaei said in a statement. “I’m beyond grateful to work with Disney to bring Created in L.A. to life.”

Creator entries in the Hollywood canon present unprecedented challenges, which is why Disney’s involvement in Created in L.A. is so important. After previously signaling its interest in short-form content and creator partnerships, Disney is looking for the next-generation voices who can potentially become part of its moviemaking machine.

If that sounds like you, then there’s a Created in L.A. application with your name on it. Youshaei, a YouTube vet with a thriving channel of his own, noted that “every attendee is hand-selected.” More details can be found on the official Created in L.A. website.