A programme of events, seminars, workshops and talks with a range of industry experts.
There's something for everyone and we know you'll enjoy it all. From acting to film funding, from social meet ups to legal advice workshops.
Several organisations will be hosting evening events so there's a great chance to network and connect with industry folk.
There are many free events on offer too.
FRIDAY
17 NOV
FESTIVAL LAUNCH PARTY
7pm - LATE free
MILLENNIUM POINT
Platform
We start the festival with a great night of fun.
Meet the other filmmakers and industry partners as we launch the week with style, drinks, music and fun!
SUNDAY
19 NOV
FILM PUB QUIZ
7:00pm - LATE £5 per team
MILLENNIUM POINT
Platform
Games and fun as we test your film knowledge.
Teams of 6 will compete for some fun prizes!
Followed by a great night of drinks and socialising!
MONDAY
20 NOV
PRODUCERS' FORUM MEET UP
6:00pm - LATE free
MILLENNIUM POINT
Platform
The Birmingham Producers' Forum is hosting their monthly meet up.
Film and media guests from the region and around the world will be in attendance to network and have fun.
Open to the general public and including a screening of locally produced films from 6:00pm.
Guest Speaker: Birmingham Film Studios
SCREENINGS 6:00pm
NETWORKING 7:30pm onwards
THURS
23 NOV
STUDENT NIGHT
6:30pm - 9:00pm free
MILLENNIUM POINT
Platform
If you or someone you know is looking at going to film school, then why not come along and find out about some of the local film studies courses on offer.
Representatives from several local universities will be on hand to speak with anyone considering film school as their next step in their education.
Following that there will be a screening of several student made films that are in this year's Film Festival, with many of the filmmakers in attendance to chat with afterward.
This event is free to attend BUT we recommend reserving a ticket, which is also free.
Guests: Screen and Film School Birmingham, Birmingham City University, Wolverhampton University.
MEETING FILMS SCHOOL 6:30pm
SCREENINGS 8:00pm
FRIDAY
24 NOV
"GROW YOUR MEDIA BUSINESS" - Seminar
10:00am - 11:30am £10
MILLENNIUM POINT
Connect Suite
With the developments over the last year or so there is a huge opportunity for growth of the media industry in the region.
We have gathered experts in film, television and media to discuss the ways you can benefit from the opportunities that will be available.
Q&A and a chance for one to one meetings with some of our guests will help you explore what your business can do and needs to ensure you part of the new era in the midlands.
Noel Dunne - Creative Alliance
Barry D Ryan - Producer / Owner and Joint MD of Format Factory
Kate Knowles - Founding editor of new local paper The Dispatch
FRIDAY
24 NOV
"PRODUCING THE WORK IN FILM AND TV" - Seminar
12:00pm - 1:30pm £10
MILLENNIUM POINT
Connect Suite
What does it take to sustain a career in film, TV and media? Our experienced panel talk about the work they do, their careers and how to build your own industry future.
Claire Burgess - Producer (Waterloo Road), Script Executive on (Series 4 & 5, The Bay.
Claire has over ten years of experience working on drama, entertainment and current affairs programs for radio and TV in the UK and abroad.
Jake Clifford - Producer (Travel Man, Late Night Lycett, Hobby Man, Anton & Giovanni's Sicilian Adventure) A proud Brummie and TV Producer, working on fun and cheeky, talent led shows for broadcasters including the BBC and Channel 4.
Will Hanrahan - Producer, Founder and Creative Lead of one of the Midlands' oldest Indie ProdCos. He launched the company after a 20-year BBC stint as both Presenter and Reporter on Network and Regional TV. FirstLookTV has been supplying networks and streamers since 1993 from its Stratford on Avon HQ and draws most of its team members from Birmingham. With content currently airing or streaming in over 100 countries, FirstLookTV has delivered over 200 hours of programming in the last three years alone.
FRIDAY
24 NOV
ACTORS - BE SEEN AND HEARD
12:00pm - 1:30pm £10
MILLENNIUM POINT
Our guests are here to talk about how actors can be see and find work but also protected and represented through their agent and organisations with their best interests at heart.
Abbie Hills - Dazey Hills Company. Talent Agent, Access Coordinator and founder or The Dazey Hills Company, to offer a diverse representation platform within the entertainment industry. Navigating the industry with cerebral palsy has reinforced Abbie’s passion for diversity and inclusion, and now alongside managing her clients, she works as an Access Coordinator - supporting the needs of deaf, disabled and neurodivergent talent within the entertainment industry.
Ian Bayes - Ian's been employed at Equity since 2000 working in both Recorded Media and Live Performance at the union's head office in London. In 2016 he became the Midlands Official being responsible for members engaged to work in the region in all sectors of the industry.
Natalie Bazan - Nathalie trained at the Birmingham School of Acting and graduated in 2014 with a BA Hons in Acting.
In 2018 she established Birmingham's only acting agency. The Bazan Talent Agency, supporting contemporary and diverse actors.
FRIDAY
24 NOV
"CAREERS IN DIRECTING" - Seminar
2:00pm - 3:30pm £10
MILLENNIUM POINT
Connect Suite
Learn what a career in directing is like and how to advance your own to the same level.
Our panel guests have a wealth of experience and years of working at the highest level as professional director.
Directors confirmed so far:
Nick Bartleet - Nick studied at the Bath School of Art and Design, where his award winning portfolio landed him a job as a CG artist at a renowned post house, providing him a strong technical background from which to make the leap into directing.
Michael Davies - Michael is a BAFTA and RTS award-winning, Oscar-shortlisted writer and director, working in TV, film and theatre, currently with two feature films in pre-production, shooting in 2024
Hear about the way they got started and how they developed their careers to continue to do what they love.
FRIDAY
24 NOV
"GETTING ON SET" - Seminar
4:00pm - 5:30pm £10
MILLENNIUM POINT
Connect Suite
Join us and our expert panel discussing the ways co-ordinators and facilitators can work with your production to make it more accessible and productive. An insight into how working WITH the co-ordinating experts can make your production more efficient, safe and open... giving you access to more talent and a much easier shoot.
Arlene De Cruz - The Children’s Production Support Hub, Agent supplying Chaperones and Tutors and City & Guilds Accredited Film, TV and Theatre Production Trainer.
Abbie Hills - Talent Agent, Access Coordinator and founder or The Dazey Hills Company, to offer a diverse representation platform within the entertainment industry. Navigating the industry with cerebral palsy has reinforced Abbie’s passion for diversity and inclusion, and now alongside managing her clients, she works as an Access Coordinator - supporting the needs of deaf, disabled and neurodivergent talent within the entertainment industry.
Lalita Taylor - BBC Exec Producer for the Academy Fusion project, Hybrid Learning Events Dir, Co-Chair of BBC WiStem, Digital Comms Advisor for Global non profits, Society of Leadership Fellow, BBC Centenary Ambassador, Advisory Board Member for Noon - an organisation for “Queenagers” (midlife women), Fathers Development Foundation Founding Trustee.
FRIDAY
24 NOV
"CASTING DIRECTORS" - Q&A
4:00pm - 5:30pm £10
MILLENNIUM POINT
An insight into the work that goes into being a casting director.
Tonia Daley-Campbell - Heart Casting. Tonia Daley-Campbell is a freelance, director, compere/host and now works as a casting director for heart casting. She has been working in the creative industries for over 25 years. Her recent writing and directing credits include She’s Royal Birmingham Hippodrome & Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, and Mamma Afrika Small scale tour and WANTED Gazebo theatre Midscale tour. Tonia was nominated for a Black British Theatre award 2022 for her pioneering work in theatre. Tonia's Recent acting credits: Lead Role Thema in short film "Good Hair", finalist for the British short film awards. Lead Role Milly in BFI animation, She's My Best Friend (And i hate her), Defendant 3 in The Trails, Birmingham Rep.
Elisa Musson - EAM Casting. A freelance casting assistant with more than 3 years of experience working internationally for the offices of Nancy Bishop and Rachel Freck Casting. Elia has recently worked on "Body Odyssey" starring Julian sands and "The Wheel of Time" starring Rosamund Pike.