Ruben Brave on AI, Internet Society (ISOC Netherlands), and Championing Creators at the Septimius Awards 2025 Panel (ISOC Netherlands)

The Tuschinski Line: When Hollywood Met the Internet at the Septimius Awards 2025

The air in Amsterdam’s magnificent Tuschinski Theatre on September 3, 2025, wasn't just thick with the glamour of cinema; it crackled with the energy of cultural revolution. This was the stage for the Septimius Awards 2025, but more importantly, it was the front line where Old Hollywood—the realm of red carpets, studio deals, and Oscar gold—came face-to-face with the boundless, disruptive force of the open internet.

Standing at the epicenter of this collision was Ruben Brave, the sharp and articulate Chairman of the Board of Internet Society Nederland. His role on the panel wasn't to celebrate the past, but to shape the future, forcing a candid conversation about the forces that have already rewritten the rules of creativity, audience, and commerce.

The Quantum Shift: AI, Openness, and Tomorrow’s Storytellers

Brave’s discussion centered on a theme that has gripped every executive, artist, and technologist worldwide: AI and the internet. Drawing context from the Internet Society's pivotal perspective on safeguarding the digital commons, his session, titled "Quantum Cinema, AI Film, and Tomorrow’s Society," was less a prediction and more a plea for responsibility.

He addressed the dizzying speed of technology, arguing that the advent of "Quantum Cinema"—the inevitable reality where Artificial Intelligence accelerates content creation to previously unimaginable speeds—demands immediate ethical grounding. For the Internet Society, the concern is clear: will the AI-driven future further centralize power, or will it finally democratize the means of production?

Ruben Brave’s message was a vital counterweight to the industry’s traditional anxieties. He insisted that the fundamental principles of the open internet—net neutrality, decentralized access, and user-centricity—are the only mechanisms capable of preventing a future where content and creativity are controlled by only a handful of mega-corporations. He raised critical questions of digital identity, copyright in an AI-generated landscape, and the societal impact of deepfakes and algorithmic bias, challenging the power brokers in the room to look beyond box office numbers and consider the stability of the digital ecosystem that supports their entire business.

A Jury of Worlds: From Moguls to Maestros

Ruben Brave’s voice gained considerable resonance because of the illustrious, yet vastly diverse, company he kept on the Septimius Awards panel. This assembly of talent represented every pillar of global influence, signifying that the conversation on AI and the internet is now mainstream.

Sharing the stage were giants who have shaped culture in every medium: Stedman Graham, the CEO and business guru known for his strategic leadership; multiple Academy Award winners, including decorated actor and Hollywood star Kevin Spacey, and special effects supervisor Neil Corbould, whose visual mastery defines blockbuster cinema. Adding to the depth were acclaimed actresses Meagan Good and Oscar nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo. Crucially, the panel spanned industries: from the music world came mogul Irv Gotti, a pioneer of modern hip-hop, and from military and distribution, Sergeant Major Keith L. Craig (RET.), bringing his unique global business perspective.

This panel—where a film distributor, a music legend, and an Internet Society Chairman debated copyright with Hollywood veterans—was undeniable proof that the old silos of entertainment have been irrevocably torn down by the network Brave represents.

The New Gold Standard: The Rise of the Creator Class

The ultimate validation of the internet's triumph came in a single, distinct honor championed by Brave: the Septimius Awards' "Best Content Creator" category. For Ruben Brave, this unique award is far more than a simple recognition; it’s a ceremonial nod to the decentralized future. It celebrates the titans who built global franchises on sheer creativity and an open digital platform, circumventing the decades-old studio system entirely.

The staggering reach of the winners recognized by the Septimius Awards highlights why this category is so crucial to the conversation about society and film:

2025 Winner, Donnalyn Bartolome: The Filipino singer and comedian, a true powerhouse of the digital sphere, took the prize, representing a cultural force with over 10.1 million subscribers on YouTube alone.

2024 Winner, SevenGers: This massive Indian sketch comedy group dominated 2024, demonstrating the immense, cross-border appeal of digital humor, having built an audience of approximately 17.7 million subscribers.

2023 Winner, BB Ki Vines (Bhuvan Bam): A trailblazer of Indian comedy and acting, Bhuvan Bam’s victory in 2023 recognized his consistent ability to command a loyal, massive following that currently stands at over 26.6 million subscribers, making him a digital institution.

2022 Winner, Steven He: The inaugural winner, Steven He, famed for his "Asian Parent" sketches, established the category’s prestige. His ability to turn highly specific cultural commentary into global comedy gold has garnered him more than 13.6 million subscribers.

These figures aren't just statistics; they are proof that the open internet creates genuine cultural kings whose audiences rival entire film markets.

Forging a Truce: A Partnership for Digital Opportunity

Ruben Brave’s presence was strategic. He didn't just want to participate in the conversation; he wanted to formalize the bridge. He expressed intense interest in forging a lasting partnership between Internet Society Nederland and the Septimius Awards to ensure the future remains open for these new digital storytellers.

The motivation is simple: to create more genuine opportunities for internet content creators. Brave sees the Awards panel itself as a crucial platform where digital talent can gain validation and access to traditional industry resources—a cultural exchange where Hollywood's structure meets the internet's reach.

But the ambition extends far beyond the spotlight. Other partnership options envisioned by Brave and the Internet Society include:

Joint Mentorship Programs: Creating formal pathways for Content Creator winners to be mentored by the Septimius's network of producers, distributors, and moguls like Irv Gotti.

Policy and Ethical Workshops: Hosting joint initiatives, focusing on teaching creators and industry professionals alike about crucial issues like AI ethics, data privacy, and navigating digital property rights.

Advocacy for Open Standards: Collaborating to push for industry adoption of open standards and decentralized technologies to protect creators from platform monopolies.

Creation of a "Digital Freedom" Grant: A joint grant to fund creators who use the internet to advocate for human rights, freedom of expression, and open global connectivity.

The 2025 Septimius Awards will be remembered as the year the film world stopped fearing the internet and started realizing it was their most powerful, most prolific partner. Ruben Brave ensured the conversation was grounded in the reality of the digital world, setting the stage for a powerful partnership that promises to support the next era of content creation—an era defined by talent, technology, and an open global network.