Wrapbook’s Jeff Caruso previews American Film Market 2025’s film finance panel, blending Hollywood innovation with New York global insight.
This November, as creative investors and industry insiders descend on Century City for the AFM 2025 film finance panel, one theme will take center stage: how technology is rewriting the business of entertainment.
Moderating the conversation is Jeff Caruso, Senior Vice President of Sales and Success at Wrapbook, who brings a pragmatic East Coast sensibility to the often-sunny optimism of Hollywood. “This is the place where capital meets commerce,” he says — and this year, that meeting feels more urgent than ever.
Caruso’s world spans all coasts: supporting projects in Los Angeles, New York City, throughout the country and the global energy that defines film finance in 2025.
From Century City to SoHo: Where Creativity Meets Capital
Caruso lights up when he talks about AFM. “The conversations this year are driven by technology — not just how content’s made, but what’s getting made.”
He’s right — from West Hollywood to Williamsburg, creators are reinventing production models. Filmmakers are learning that agility isn’t just an artistic trait; it’s financial survival.
Caruso adds, “The companies that can get out ahead of that, that can use [technology] in a responsible way, are the ones that could very well set the stage for entertainment in the years to come.”
In New York terms, that’s the difference between catching the 6 train on time — or missing the whole day’s rhythm. Efficiency and precision matter.
Wrapbook’s Tech Revolution — Born in Hollywood, Built for Everywhere
After nearly 13 years at Cast & Crew, Caruso joined Wrapbook to help usher in a smarter, faster, more transparent age of film finance.
“Anything that can cut through outdated manual processes is going to make sure that company is a cut above everyone else.”
From payroll to incentives, Wrapbook’s AI-driven platform has become the go-to for producers who want clarity and control — whether they’re shooting in Los Angeles, scouting in Tribeca, or editing in Toronto.
Caruso explains:
“AI isn’t the job — it’s the tool for the job. We’re helping to make people more efficient in their jobs. Imagine what you can do if you have all of this at your fingertips.”
It’s not hard to imagine a New York indie producer grabbing a coffee at Café Gitane, approving payroll from their phone, and still making it to a screening at IFC Center by seven.
That’s Wrapbook’s brand of efficiency — modern, flexible, and a little bit cosmopolitan.
Power Players and Global Perspectives
The AFM 2025 film finance panel, happening November 12, isn’t just another industry talk. It’s the morning headline of the market — and the guest list reads like a who’s who of independent cinema:
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Sam Pressman, CEO of Pressman Film, whose family shaped generations of filmmakers, and has worked with filmmakers from Takashi Miike to Gus Van Sant.
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Josh from Waypoint Entertainment, producing projects for Charlie Kaufman and Boots Riley.
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Jeremy Ross of Black Rabbits, who’s produced more than 36 films.
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Janine Davey, a financial strategist who’s managed “literally billions, that’s billions with a B,” in tax incentives for studios like Netflix and Fox.
“Our panel just lights out,” Caruso says with a smile. “These are experts who’ve spent their entire careers in this business. They’ll be diving into whether theatrical is still viable, what markets are shifting, and how projects are being financed.”
From Park Avenue to Pico Boulevard, these are the conversations shaping how investors approach content in 2025.
The Wrapbook Effect: Streamlined, Smart, and Seriously Useful
Caruso describes Wrapbook as “a force multiplier in this business” — and it’s not hype. The platform combines financial transparency with creative flexibility, giving producers real-time insights into payroll, budgeting, and compliance.
Its Rate Finder tool has become a quiet hit among first-time producers and veteran accountants alike. Want to see what union rates look like in New York vs. California? Just type it in.
“This is all about the possibility of what can be done,” Caruso says. “When you have a group of people like we have at Wrapbook — intelligent, positive, energized — we’re unstoppable.”
It’s the same hustle that fuels New York — only now, it’s making film finance less chaotic and more creative.
Mini FAQ: AFM 2025 Film Finance Panel
Q: When and where is the AFM 2025 Film Finance Panel?
A: “Finance I – From Packaging to Payback: Investment, Incentives & International Markets” takes place November 12, 2025, on Day One of AFM in Century City.
Q: What topics will be covered?
A: The session will explore film finance trends, international incentives, AI-powered budgeting, and new global strategies for independent producers.
Q: Why should New York filmmakers care?
A: Because whether you’re developing in Brooklyn or Beverly Hills, understanding investment and incentives is now essential to keeping creative control — and getting your film financed faster.
Big City Thinking, Global Possibility
As the AFM 2025 spotlight turns to innovation, Caruso’s message echoes with both New York clarity and Hollywood optimism: embrace change, use the right tools, and stop settling for outdated systems.
Because whether you’re closing deals in Santa Monica or Soho, the smartest move in show business right now is efficiency — powered by technology, guided by integrity, and built on collaboration.
To explore Wrapbook’s tools, visit Wrapbook’s official site.
