FOCUS announces first wave of speakers

FOCUS. The Meeting Place for International Production, is the only European free-to-attend audiovisual event offering content aimed at the whole spectrum of the creative screen industries – film, TV, advertising, animation and interactive. Around 30 panel discussions, case studies and workshops will cover key topics such as the impact of high end TV, sustainability, legal matters and international markets.

Speakers confirmed to date include representatives from BAFTA, Directors UK, APA, The Production Guild, Olsberg•SPI, Vancouver Film  Commission, Pact, Film London, Harbottle and Lewis, Thinkbox, The Garden, Scott Free, Games London, Creative Scotland, Creative Skillset and BBC Academy with many more to be announced. See the current programme and speakers here.

Curated by Sue Hayes, The FOCUS programme has been developed in consultation with Pact, BFI, British Film Commission, Creative Skillset, APA, Production Managers Association, Animation UK, Games London and Women in Film and TV. Read about the Content Advisory Board here.

Sue Hayes explains “Whether it is the impact of High End or FAANGS as they are now being called, on how we work and the skills that we need, the new business models being created, the need to develop clusters outside of London & the South to meet the increase in demand, the questions about talent, the changing business of advertising, the new business of animation or indeed, the real value of interactive games – they will feature as sessions and as part of the general level of conversation at this year’s event.  It should be fun and certainly interesting!”

Industry experts participating in sessions will include…

Aaron Matthews – BAFTA albert, Alison Small – The Production Guild, Andrew Chowns – Directors UK,  Andrew Barnes – Olsberg•SPI, Carlo Dusi – Scott Free, David Shepheard – Vancouver Film Commission, Dawn McCarthy Simpson MBE – Pact, Elaine Steel –Agent, Helen Brunsdon – Animation UK,  James Waller – Film London, Jason Stone – David Reviews, Jo Coombes – AdGreen, Kate O’Connor – Consultant, Katrien Roos – Harbottle and Lewis, Leon Forde – Olsberg•SPI, Lindsey Clay -Thinkbox,  Lyndy Stout – 1:4, Magnus Temple – The Garden, Martyn Auty –  Life & Soul Pictures,  Michael French – Games London, Natalie Usher – Creative Scotland, Sara Putt – Agent, Steve Garvey – Moving Image,Rob Alcock – BBC Academy, Steve Davies – Advertising Producers Association  & many more leading industry names..

FOCUS is also the only UK event to bring in film commissions, location providers and production service companies from over 50  countries. ensuring that FOCUS attendees benefit from a truly global networking experience, that spans all aspects of the production industry.  See the current exhibitor list here.

Sustainability will play a major role at FOCUS 2017 through the Green Zone, an area dedicated to addressing the environmental impact of the production industry. With the help of AdGreen and BAFTA’s albert, the Green Zone will showcase eco-friendly companies and offer advice to production professionals about lowering their carbon footprint. Read more here.

Receptions, happy hours and fringe events will provide attendees with a relaxed environment for networking.