This Century’s Top 100 Films Feature “Nepo Baby Creatives,” Reveals Shocking Data at Locarno Pro

The Locarno Pro industry program commenced on August 6 in the picturesque Swiss town of Locarno, addressing pressing issues within the film industry. This 15th edition runs concurrently with the 79th Locarno Film Festival, which continues until August 11.

Insights from Stephen Follows

During the opening session, titled “Fear, Lies, and the Illusion of Control,” film industry data analyst Stephen Follows presented compelling data that sparked significant reactions from attendees. His analysis focused on the prevalence of “nepo baby creatives”—individuals with family ties in the film industry—among the top-grossing films of the 21st century.

Follows revealed that 70% of the top 100 films from 2000 to 2025 featured a director, writer, or one of the top three actors with at least one family member already in the industry. He clarified that while this statistic may raise eyebrows, it underscores the importance of access rather than outright nepotism. “It’s not always nepotism in a terrible way,” he stated, emphasizing that many individuals grew up in the industry and possess merit.

The Impact of Family Connections

Follows highlighted that familial connections often allow individuals to enter the industry at a younger age, with first-time directors averaging 33 years compared to 35 for those without such ties. Additionally, those with industry connections tend to have more second features and a greater number of films throughout their careers. However, he noted that these films do not necessarily outperform others in terms of box office revenue or ratings. “Family ties get you in and keep you in the game,” he concluded.

The Role of Experienced Producers

Follows also discussed the critical role of experienced producers for first-time directors. He cited data indicating that three out of four directors do not produce a second feature within five years of their debut. Among those who do, working with an experienced producer significantly increases the likelihood of success. He pointed out that “even a brilliant debut loses to an ordinary one with a better producer.”

The Value of Film Education

The analyst further emphasized the advantages of formal education in filmmaking. He described film school as an “accelerator ramp,” noting that films directed by graduates tend to outperform those directed by non-graduates, despite similar quality ratings. “Film school gets you in younger, and more film school debutants reach the top 100 film list,” he stated.

Profitability of Indie Films

Follows presented sobering statistics regarding the profitability of independent films. Data up to 2018 indicated that only 3.4% of indie films generated a profit. Although he noted that economic conditions have shifted slightly, the overall trend remains unchanged. Of the indie films that made it to theaters, only about 33% were profitable, compared to 51% of studio films.

He attributed these trends to the concept of “power laws,” where a small number of films capture the majority of profits. “A small number gets really all of the riches,” he explained.

The Illusion of Control in Filmmaking

A recurring theme in Follows’ presentation was the limited control filmmakers have over their projects. He summarized the unpredictability of the film business, stating, “The business of film is unpredictable, unknowable, and unfair.”

Follows humorously illustrated the industry’s false sense of control through various risk management strategies, such as reliance on star power, test screenings, and algorithms. He likened these measures to selling window bars to homeowners in earthquake-prone areas, suggesting they do little to address the fundamental risks involved in filmmaking.

Recommendations for Success

In closing, Follows advised aspiring filmmakers to focus on what they can control. He recommended building relationships that encourage collaboration, creating original content, and developing a unique perspective. He stressed the importance of curation over algorithms, recognizing that the unknown can lead to rewarding experiences.

Markus Duffner, director of Locarno Pro, noted that around 2,000 accredited industry guests were expected to attend this year, with approximately 800 producers, 350 buyers, 100 sales agents, and 300 film festival programmers among them.

As reported by www.hollywoodreporter.com.

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Published on 2026-08-07 02:25:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk