What does it take to make a hit show?

Join us for the final talk of the festival as we speak with Andy Devonshire (Taskmaster, The Great British Bake Off, The Apprentice) for an in-depth discussion on the creative and logistic challenges behind Britain's biggest unscripted shows.

Yorgos Lanthimos’ multi-Oscar-nominated feature Poor Things has left audiences pleasantly disturbed. Join Visual Effects Supervisor Dean Koonjul (Wonder Woman, Venom, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug) and VFX Producer Tallulah Baker (The Lion King, The Sandman, The Banshees of Inisherin) for a masterclass on how visual effects can bring worlds of pure imagination to life.

Kit Redstone and Arran Shearing are the cis/ trans writer/director duo you never knew you needed in your life. Join us for a talk with the duo behind the upcoming KING BABY as we discuss transness, masculinity, and the importance of collaboration.

Calling all film music enthusiasts - Two award-winning composers for screen, stage and more Natalie Holt (Paddington, Loki) and Oleta Haffner (Note of Defiance) will discuss what makes an original score iconic.

We are so excited to be joined by animator and director Lucy Izzard to share her journey of directing her first stop-motion series with the iconic Aardman Studios.

Join formidable change-maker Julie Fernandez (The Office), the UK and Europe’s leading Access Coordinator; and rising star Connor Curren (Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, CBBC’s Dodger) for an insight into the current climate of disability representation both on and off-screen and those campaigning for change to make access a requirement, not just an afterthought.

After last year’s Barbenheimer phenomenon, we’ve all become more aware of the power of film marketing.

We’ll be joined by Sara Frain, Director of Marketing and Distribution for Picturehouse Cinemas, Kat Blair (PR for Bridgerton, I Hate Suzie), as well as Cathy Anderson, former Publicity Director for 20th Century Fox, to learn exactly how major studios turn a film into the next big thing.

Making the move from student into a first career in film can be daunting but hear from our panellists Charlotte Matheson (Producer for film podcast Girls on Film and Mark Kermode’s Live in 3D at the BFI), James MacNab (Production Assistant for Coptertura Productions), Matthew Gray (Agent’s Assistant for Curtis Brown), Mojola Akinyemi, Chakira Alin and Hannah Samuel-Ogbu on how to take those steps and put yourself in the best position to start your career!