David Li, Executive Chairman, Dream Machine FX

David Li is the Managing Partner of Arenova Capital and the founder, principal investor and chairman of the board for Dream Machine FX. He is a longtime investor in the media sector and was previously on the board of Streamland Media, a leader in the post-production space. 

Scott Ross, former ILM General Manager, SR VP Lucasfilm and Digital Domain Co-Founder

Today, Dr. Ross sits on several boards, consults with international companies, and lectures on Artificial Intelligence, and was one of the early adopters of Mixed Reality technologies. He was an early advisor to Magic Leap, an AR hardware and software startup that eventually raised over $ 2 billion. Dr Ross was also recently named a fellow at Peking University.

In 1992 he founded, along with James Cameron and Stan Winston, Digital Domain, one of the largest digital production studios in the motion picture and advertising industries.  Under Ross’ direction, Digital Domain garnered multiple Academy Award nominations, receiving its first Oscar for TITANIC. That success was followed by a second Oscar for WHAT DREAMS MAY COME and a third for THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON.  Digital Domain received additional nominations for TRUE LIES, APOLLO 13, and I, ROBOT, and has won four Scientific and Technical Achievement Academy Awards for NUKE, its proprietary software. Ross has worked with the who’s who of film directors such as Cameron, Bay, Fincher, Howard, Scorsese, Coppola, The Coen Brothers, Spielberg, Kurosawa, Jackson, Salles, and generally has nice things to say about them. 

In 2006, as Digital Domain’s CEO and Chairman, he successfully sold Digital Domain to a group of private equity investors. 

Before forming Digital Domain, he led George Lucas’ vast entertainment empire, running ILM, Skywalker Sound, LucasFilm Commercial Productions, and DroidWorks. Ross has played a significant role in the worldwide advertising industry as well. Having started commercial production companies whilst at LucasFilm as well as Digital Domain’s Commercials Division, he has led two of the largest VFX commercial production companies on the planet. 

A native of New York City, Ross began his career in Media Studies at Hofstra University, where he graduated with a BS in Communication Arts (’74).  He returned to Hofstra to receive a doctorate degree from his alma mater (’98).  He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (OSCARS) and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (EMMYS). He has worked on over 100 of the world’s largest blockbuster films and has lectured extensively about the creative process, content, and technology in over 30 countries around the world.  

Dave Gougé, Technology & Entertainment Executive

As Head of Marketing & Publicity at Wētā FX, Dave managed the overall reputation of the world’s top VFX studio, including its artists and technology.  

Under his stewardship, the company won over 60 artistic and technical awards including several Oscars, BAFTAs and Emmys, and 12 Academy SciTech Awards.  He also positioned Wētā’s brand and technology for the $1.6 billion acquisition by Unity Technologies.

Dave is a member of the VES Board of Directors and with over 25 years’ experience in computer graphics and emerging technology, he currently advises on business strategy and marketing for companies looking to pivot or scale. 

Dave curates the annual Studio Insights track at FMX and hosts the closed-door CEO Summit.