A creator-film premiere at the El Capitan Theatre, followed by discussions of series, brands and online video on the Disney studio lot: the Created in LA programme captures a cultural shift. On September 17 and 18, 2026, Disney and creator Jon Youshaei brought video makers, studio executives and media entrepreneurs together in Los Angeles. In a report published on September 23, the company presented the event as a meeting place for Hollywood and talent raised on digital platforms. Beyond the prestige of the venues, it raises a practical question: how can the two worlds work together without reducing creators to advertising channels?
Two venues, two ways of telling stories
The first day took place at the El Capitan Theatre, a historic Hollywood cinema. Disney says two creator films were screened there: The Technoblade Movie, made by the duo Sticks as a tribute to Technoblade, and a Zach King short reimagining Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back with cardboard. The second day moved to the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank for talks, workshops and conversations between executives and creators.
Bringing these works into a cinema associated with major premieres is significant. Internet-born videos do not need to imitate film to reach huge audiences; a big-screen screening nevertheless gives them another kind of recognition. It also brings Disney face to face with authors whose communities formed without passing through traditional television or theatrical channels. The meeting does not prove that a new business model has already been born, but it shows established players seeking a closer understanding of those practices.
What studios see in creators
In Disney’s account, Dana Walden, its president and chief creative officer, emphasised how closely creators know their audiences and how quickly they can adjust their stories. That ability contrasts with the long development cycles of a film or series. It does not mean speed is always better than patience. Rather, it suggests that a community can offer continuous feedback well before a finished production is released.
The programme included Zach King, The Try Guys, Dude Perfect, Jenny Hoyos, Dhar Mann and Disney leaders, among others. Jared Bush, chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, discussed his work on animated storytelling and showed footage from Hexed, according to the company report. The Try Guys, meanwhile, described the move from standalone videos to recurring show formats. These exchanges do not put everyone on equal footing: a studio has catalogues and distribution networks that creators may lack; creators can sometimes build loyal audiences without a major company’s support.
From views to a lasting business
Several sessions moved beyond virality alone. Bobby Kim and chef Roy Choi discussed turning cultural influence into enduring products and brands. Kris Jenner and Khloé Kardashian spoke about negotiating partnerships, building teams and adapting a family brand across media. Dude Perfect addressed the organisation of a collective that became a company. These subjects may sound less spectacular than a video with millions of views, but they become decisive when creators need to pay teams, retain rights and keep making work.
A session led by Asad Ayaz, Disney’s marketing and brand chief, covered paths that can take creators toward scripted series, features or brand campaigns. These were possibilities presented in a masterclass, not a list of deals signed at Created in LA. Disney did not announce a general production agreement with the guests or funding available to every participant in its report. The distinction prevents a professional gathering from being mistaken for an automatic career promise.
A useful encounter, with conditions
For a studio, working with a creator may bring a distinctive voice and an already engaged community. For a creator, the studio may offer production resources, legal expertise, international distribution or a chance to develop a more ambitious project. But a good collaboration depends on precise questions: who owns the idea, who makes editorial decisions, how is revenue shared, and what happens to the direct relationship between author and audience? The event report cannot answer them, because each project will have to negotiate its own terms.
Jon Youshaei, who previously worked at YouTube and Instagram according to Disney, had been announced as a partner and host. His involvement reflects an effort to speak with professionals who know platforms from the inside. It also points to a tension: creators often value the independence that helped them grow, while major companies seek formats and audiences they cannot always cultivate alone. Dialogue is possible, but it will be productive only if each side’s contribution is respected.
Created in LA did not merge Hollywood and the internet in two days. It did, however, make an ongoing change visible: film, social video, brands and live entertainment are not simply competing for separate audiences; they are seeking new ways to tell stories to the same generation. The screenings and workshops are now behind the participants. What matters next will be less the red carpet than the work, fair agreements and durable businesses that might grow out of those conversations.
Sources
- The Walt Disney Company, September 23, 2026 event report: screenings, speakers and sessions.
- The Walt Disney Company, September 3, 2026 announcement: dates, Jon Youshaei partnership and initial programme.