Kate Townsend is Executive Producer for BBC’s international documentary strand Storyville. Townsend has worked on documentaries such as Storyville Global: Gay in Uganda, India’s Daughter and Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends. This session covers how documentary is developing today. By analysing what she looks for in the form, she will reveal top tips to get your documentary to stand out.

With experience in film journalism and programming, Simran Hans is a programmer at Bechdel Test Fest who also writes for publications such as The Guardian, Sight & Sound, Little White Lies and the BFI. Hans will share her profound knowledge of the way film can be interpreted and explained, exploring how the critic plays a crucial and decisive role in either making or breaking a film.

The Association of Camera Operators returns to present a masterclass on the role of camera operation in film production. The ACO has been behind the lens for some of the biggest films of all time including Avengers: Age of Ultron, Les Misérables, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Sherlock Holmes, Paddington and Rush. You will learn about the importance of camera technique to the craft of storytelling

Lynden Campbell from Domino Publishing (Arctic Monkeys, Hot Chip, Wild Beasts, The Kills), shares her crucial insights into the use of music in films. Campbell will delve into the guidebook for music licensing whilst speaking about the process of sourcing and selecting the right soundtrack, in order to suit the mood and enhance the overall aesthetic of your film.

With credits that include Misfits, Peaky Blinders, Nightshift and feature films Desert Dancer and Slumdog Millionaire, Celia Haining has a vast range of experience in the craft of editing. Haining will look at how the edit controls the story, as well as reviewing the practical techniques used by professionals in relation to the theory of pre- and post-production.

Howard Bargroff, a re-recording mixer from Sonorouspost, has won 4 awards including the 2015 BAFTA Television Craft Award for Sound Fiction and Entertainment. His credits include Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, Luther, Sherlock and AVP: Alien vs. Predator. Bargroff will consider the importance of sound in film and explore how new audio technology is rapidly changing the field.

Grant Montgomery, Production Designer for Peaky Blinders (BAFTA and RTS nominated for production design), reflects upon the impact of set design in cinema and television. Credits also include Stephen Poliakoff’s The Crimson Petal and the White (The RTS Award for production design). Montgomery will speak about the depth of creative processes used to bring a set to life.

With more than 10 years of festival submission experience for an array of clients, Festival Formula’s Katie McCullough will speak about the film festival landscape. McCullough will offer useful hints, tips and strategies to focus on the strengths of your film and to maximise your film budget for festival submissions, as well as advice on how to develop your profile on the festival circuit.

Here is your chance to learn the ins and outs of programming film festivals, what organisations look for, and to ask any questions about the selection process. The panel includes programmers from Aesthetica Short Film Festival, Cork Film Festival, London Short Film Festival, Edinburgh Film Festival, Encounters, Flatpack Film Festival and Audi Dublin International Film Festival.

Kristian Smith, Commissioning Editor at the BBC (Boy Meets Girl, Uncle, Blandings), will chair a captivating panel discussion alongside Agent Kate Haldance (PBJ Management) Producer, Gill Isles (Peter Kay’s Car Share, Rovers) and Writer, Caroline Moran (Raised by Wolves). The panel will explore all areas of commissioning from developing an idea to getting noticed on the pitch.

Sara Putt Associates is a leading independent UK agency and diary service for film professionals who have worked on productions such as Doctor Strange, The Jungle Book and Snow White & the Huntsman. Putt has worked alongside BAFTA and on several short films, and will offer advice on how to navigate the industry and build your career in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

Howard Ella from Mammoth Screen has worked as a Producer and Line Producer for 12 years on projects as varied as An Inspector Calls, Mount Pleasant, The Interceptor, Lewis and Monroe. Ella will offer advice on the process of production, outlining ways to be  resourceful whilst keeping an eye on expenditure. He will also highlight ideas on how to establish a career in the field.

Yousaf Ali Khan is a multi award-winning scriptwriter and director. His lauded works explore issues of identity, marginalisation and belonging, including BAFTA nominated Skin Deep and Talking With Angels. His current project Giantland was selected for the Tribeca Access Awards. Khan will give you top tips for creating and developing successful projects.

COO Mark Woolley from Ecosse Films (Royal Night Out, Wuthering Heights, Nowhere Boy and Becoming Jane) will discuss the finance behind filmmaking. This session will cover the components of a typical  film finance plan including sales, bank borrowing and equity investments, as well as explaining how all these elements fit together to ensure the funds are secured for your film.

Adam Gee specialises in factual short form, both as a producer and commissioner. He commissioned short form for the last three years at Channel 4, where he was a Commissioning Editor for 13 years. He has won over 80 awards for his productions including an Emmy and four BAFTAs. Gee will offer insights on how to pitch and make short form which cuts through the noise.