Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

People are redefining status for themselves using a broad range of factors beyond solely economic ones. This new iteration of status is often based around increasingly niche and local signifiers, and status is becoming a mode of belonging and connection with like-minded people.

A24's new book,How Directors Dress, explores the on-set fashion and style choices of renowned film and TV directors like Kathryn Bigelow and Chloé Zhao. People are seeking expert-driven, exclusive, and diverse content that speaks to their desire for nuanced representation.

In a saturated streaming landscape, Wes Anderson's Galerie film club offers users an alternative that prioritises community and human-led experiences. As media giants battle it out, Galerie keeps people engaged by fostering belonging through its unique approach to content curation.

The cinema industry is transforming with multiplex closures and the rise of gaming among younger generations. Despite these challenges, diverse storytelling by studios like A24, movie-loving influencers, and theatres evolving into experience hubs are revitalising interest among Gen Zers and Yers.

A New York-based film festival is screening a series of hyperlocal stories in a bid to burst the algorithm bubble. Amid rising concern about the cultural and political impact of personalized feeds, the event aims to combat digital division by platforming underrepresented perspectives.