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The Creative Cities Convention in April will bring top industry figures to the city, including Kevin Lygo and Ian Katz
This year’s in-person Creative Cities Convention at the Fazeley Studios in Birmingham on 28-29 April will focus on helping producers and broadcasters capitalise on booming production across the UK.
Industry leaders abound. ITV’s Kevin Lygo will discuss the company’s digital acceleration plans, Ian Katz will discuss Channel 4’s next round of nations and regions investment, and Fiona Campbell and Eddie Doyle will assess progress since the BBC’s release of its Across The UK strategy a year ago.
In addition, Fozia Khan will offer insights into Amazon’s unscripted ambitions and Ben Frow will discuss his clutch of brands, including Channel 5 and the new Paramount+ streaming service launching later this year.
Producers will have plenty to say about exponential growth outside London, from Shine’s factual juggernaut MasterChef moving to Birmingham to Steven Knight discussing Peaky Blinders and his new studios, plus Jed Mercurio and Maya Sondhi on their ITV drama DI Ray.
“Sir Lenny Henry will call for fairer access to T our industry”
Tackling the talent challenge will be ScreenSkills’ Seetha Kumar, Deborah Williams from the Creative Diversity Network and Fulwell 73’s Leo Pearlman, whose indie has ambitious plans for growth in the North East. Sir Lenny Henry will call for fairer access to our industry and delegates will hear how disability can be centre stage in some of TV’s most exciting shows.
The conference reflects the buzz in Britain’s creative cities – but our towns, villages and wildernesses are playing an increasingly starry role, too. The aptly named Locations Locations Locations session will explore the impact of screen agencies on the film and TV landscape.
Delegates can book free speed-dates with commissioners and this year also find out how to fund and support their businesses in the Friends, Futures and Funders room. An evening networking party, sponsored by Banijay, is the icing on the cake. What’s not to like?
