Programme
A packed programme of free-to-attend content strandsAt FOCUS, delegates enjoy a packed free-to-attend programme of keynotes, panels, masterclasses, workshops and presentations. covering film, TV, advertising, animation and games.
To make sure that it is completely relevant to the industry, the FOCUS conference programme is developed in consultation with a Content Advisory Board featuring representatives from leading industry bodies, including Pact, The Production Guild, BFI, BFC, UK Screen Alliance, ScreenSkills, Directors UK, and Advertising Producers Association.
This year’s programme is below. Keep checking back for full details. Please note session time are subject to change.
See Speakers here.
See Networking Events here
The conference programme is presented in association with media partner Variety and sponsored by Global Production Network.
FOCUS 2021 Programme
Check back for full details. Times subject to change.
Day 1
Dec 07 2021
10:00 - 11:00
Nobody Knows Anything… Still
John K. Corser
Kayvan Mashayekh
New Tech Solutions – Call It! and SMASH
The disruptive power of tech and how it can help make the screen industries safer, more accessible and easier to navigate.
Kate Wilson
Fiona Gillies
Mahesh Ramachandra
Salma Conway
The Art of Location Management
Insights on planning, preparing and managing shoots on location in association with BECTU.
Nicky Britt
Harriet Lawrence
Helene Lenszner
Spike Davies
10:40 - 11:20
How to simplify location expenses – a talk with Equals Money (Exhibitor Presentation)
Gain insights into what the future holds for production money management.
Ben Cauley
Adam Ioannou
11:00 - 12:00
Legal Refresher for Film & TV Producers
In association with Harbottle & Lewis LLP. 1-2-1 sessions are also available during FOCUS.
Katrien Roos
THE METAVERSE: What it is and how to use it
How media companies should be approaching The Metaverse to gain a stake in its potential future.
Sophie Trainor
Martin Taylor
Alistair Maclean-Clark
Rhys Hancock
Richard Coates
11:00 - 12:00
Seetha Kumar, CEO ScreenSkills, in conversation with Nick Catliff
Meeting the skills challenges of today and future-proofing the industry of tomorrow.
Seetha Kumar
Nick Catliff
11:00 - 12:00
People, Planet, Profit (Green Zone | Live Only)
Showcasing purpose-led companies who have achieved B-Corp status by putting people and the planet at the front and centre of their businesses.
11:30 - 12:10
Why Co-produce with Flanders? (Exhibitor Presentation)
Learn all about the film financing mechanisms, locations and facilities of the Flanders region
Katrien Maes
Non-Fungible Tokens: Power to the Producer
Could NFTs really tip the balance of power in favour of the content creation community?
Irina Albita
Jules Robinson
Michelle Munson
Petrit Berisha
Tony Pearce
12:00 - 13:00
Ita O’Brien: An ‘Intimate’ Conversation
An in-depth conversation with the UK’s leading Intimacy Coordinator.
Ita O’Brien
Gaby French
12:20 - 13:00
13:00 - 14:00
Sustainable Lights, Camera, Action! (Green Zone | Live Only)
Hear from those who have made carbon reductions, understanding why they should be happening on every set.
13:10 - 13:50
A more sustainable film industry is not an Impossible Mission! (Exhibitor Presentation)
How do we solve the problem of waste and implement a strategy of reuse in film & TV? Presented by CAMA.
Michelle French
Michaele Apostolides
BOOM: Over 200 crew roles to fill. Where to find them?
How do we build a strong, diverse FTV workforce? In association with The Production Guild of Great Britain.
Perelandra Beedles
Lyndsay Duthie
Catherine Francis Driscoll
Adrienne Noonan
Rebecca Baker
Jivan Mann
Christine Healy
14:00 - 15:00
Meet The UK Global Screen Fund
Learn about the UK Global Screen Fund’s international development and distribution opportunities for the independent screen sector.
Colin Williams
Annabel Grundy
New beginnings in 2022 with the Advertising Producers Association
The production environment is tough, yet smart people are starting new companies or moving into production. What is the opportunity they see?
Jemel Richards
Florencia Arrizabalaga
Chris Watling
Steve Davies
Danny Whybrow
14:00 - 14:40
Everybody Knows Greece (Exhibitor Presentation)
…For its heaven-like locations, highly experienced crew, a range of incentives guaranteed by flexible procedures, safety protocols, easy access.
Vasiliki Diagouma
Venia Vergou
14:50 - 15:30
Destination: Filming in Portugal (Exhibitor Presentation)
Film Commissioner Manuel Claro presents the reasons to film in Portugal, including a 30% cash rebate.
Manuel Claro
On Your Mind: Tackling Mental Health in the Screen Industries
Key stakeholders leading the front line response to mental health issues discuss their initiatives.
Dr Gina Jackson OBE
Sarah McCaffrey
Emily Collin
Sarah Sorrell
Andy Glynne
That’s a Relief!: Making the Most of British Tax Breaks
A guide to the UK’s Creative Sector Tax Reliefs. 1-2-1 sessions are also available during FOCUS.
Isla MacGillivray
Anna Mansi
Dan Bernado
Andrew Wright
Niall Davies
Chantel Burrell
Licence to Film: An International Location Filming Masterclass featuring James Bond
Presented by the British Film Commission
Meghan Beaton
Teresa Azcona
Gregg Wilson
Ali James
Samantha Perahia MBE
FILMING IN CROATIA – HOTEL PORTOFINO CASE STUDY (Exhibitor Presentation)
Presentation of British TV series benefiting from the Croatian Incentive Programme.
Walter Iuzzolino
Nebojsa Taraba
Jakov-Matija Kapetanović
Tanja Ladovic Blazevic
15:45 - 16:45
It’s Time to Design for Reuse (Green Zone | Live Only)
One of the major sustainability challenges within the industry is the waste of production materials. Traditionally a large proportion of materials are purchased or made to specification. Reuse is perceived... Read More
New Horizons: Where we are with Virtual Production
What is now possible in virtual production and what we can expect in the next decade.
Neil Graham
Paul Franklin
Jamie Allan
Michael McKenna
Victoria Johnson
16:00 - 17:00
BFI Skills Review
The BFI’s UK-wide review, in close collaboration with industry, aims to set direction of travel for future growth and competitiveness.
Helen Johnson
Neil Peplow
Paula Campbell
Seetha Kumar
International Co-Production with Pact
A dialogue between international and UK co-producers, including Zig Zag, Pegasus and Star Media.
Dawn McCarthy-Simpson MBE
Danny Fenton
Elli Cassata
Vladyslav Riashyn
16:30 - 17:10
Cyprus: A Natural Film Studio (Exhibitor Presentation)
Discover all Cyprus has to offer, including financial incentives of up to 40% for film productions.
Lefteris S. Eleftheriou
17:00 - 18:00
Neurocreative Productions: Understanding the emotional effects of colour and craft
Brand new research reveals how colour can drive campaign and emotional effectiveness.
Callum Gould
17:00 - 18:00
Seismic shifts; a screen workforce revolution?
How the games, animation, VHX and advertising workforce will change over the next decade. Are we are ready for it?
Caroline Levy
Tom Box
Amy Smith
Dr Gina Jackson OBE
17:00 - 18:00
Canadian Stratagem: Future workforce, Creative potential
Exploring how workforce shortages can be minimized and everyone can participate in the creative economy.
Michael Cerenzie
Jeff Melanson
17:20 - 18:50
THE FRENCH EXPERIENCE (Exhibitor Presentation)
Learn about France’s latest evolution of its up to 40%.Tax Rebate for International Production.
18:00 - 19:00
Day 2
Dec 08 2021
A Fistful of Finance – Funding your Project Now
Unpacking sources of funding and the finance structuring tools available to a producer.
Tim O’Shea
Emma Louise Smith
Luane Gauer
Ivan Kelava
Mark Foligno
Nigel Walde
Judith Chan
10:00 - 11:00
Accelerating Diversity with ITV
Update on ITV’s Diversity Acceleration Plan
Anthony Ogunkoya
Waris Islam
Nahrein Kemp
Sam Tatlow
10:00 - 11:00
Legal Refresher for Film & TV Producers
In association with Harbottle & Lewis LLP. 1-2-1 sessions are also available during FOCUS.
Katrien Roos
10:30 - 11:30
Introduction to Green Energy on Location (Green Zone | Live Only)
How can you divest from diesel generators while shooting on location?
11:00 - 12:00
QUIET STORM LEADING THE WAY: CREATE NOT HATE
Trevor Robinson OBE in conversation with Raoul Shah about their collaboration on the Create Not Hate project.
Trevor Robinson
Raoul Shah
11:00 - 12:00
Championing Underrepresented Stories and Audiences
Case studies of films including Walk With Me, Rebel Dykes and That Was A Serious Party
Miranda Fleming
11:00 - 12:00
ACTION POST COP26
Genevieve Margrett
Sophie Broadbent
Filming in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France (Exhibitor Presentation)
Wonderful and multifaceted locations, modern studio solutions and an experienced network of film commissions.
Anne-Cécile Celimon-Paul
Camille Feret
Caroline Warin
Vanessa Kuzay
Michel Brussol
THE FUTURE IS COLLABORATIVE
New approaches to production and distribution with T A P E, Girls in Film and FedUP Studio Lab
Isra Al Kassi
Josephine Amalie von Bülow
Alixe Lobato
Becs Rainey
The Curious Case of Indie Producers
Producers working across different genres and varying budget levels discuss the current state of play.
Allon Reich
Victoria Thomas
Julie Baines
Helen Simmons
Andrea Cornwell
Nicky Bentham
12:00 - 13:00
Gerety Talks Christmas Ads
This year’s most iconic Christmas ads, presented by the people behind their creation.
Karen Boswell
Alex Reeves
Alex Coxhill
Tracey Cooper
12:00 - 12:45
Sustainability on set: A conversation (GREEN ZONE | LIVE ONLY)
A discussion on bringing sustainability and carbon reductions to the forefront of the conversation.
13:00 - 14:00
Training The UK Workforce To Meet The HETV Boom
Tim Dams
Kaye Elliott
Service Production Networks and their Value for Advertising
Steve Davies
Harry Tracosas
Julia Weichinger
Michael Moffett
Pavla Burgetova Callegari
Ivo Van Vollenhoven
Documentary – Scripted, Unscripted!
A diverse panel will discuss the explosion of documentaries and review the range of work being made
14:00 - 14:45
14:30 - 15:00
Get your House in Order (GREEN ZONE | LIVE ONLY)
Would you like to start understanding the carbon impact of your productions but don’t know how to? Join AdGreen’s session and learn how to use the newly launched AdGreen Carbon... Read More
Sophie Broadbent
15:00 - 16:00
Making Better Films with FULL CIRCLE and FIRST CUT LABS
What are the magic ingredients to help your film reach its potential?
Anna Von Dziembowska
Matthieu Darras
The Queen Age – What it means & how to be ready for it with Women in Advertising Production (WAP)
Charlotte Whiteley
Leonie Moreton
Lise McQuillin Francis
Jane Evans
Sharon Vibert
15:00 - 16:00
Internationalising Location Management with LMGI
Ben Ahmed
John Rakich
15:00 - 15:45
THE PRACTICAL POPUP: GUN SAFETY
In Association with FilmFixer.
16:00 - 16:45
Day 3
Dec 09 2021
15:20 - 16:00
Filming in the BVI: Endless opportunities beyond your imagination (Digital Exhibitor Presentation)
This session captures all of the possibilities that filming in the British Virgin Islands can offer.
Natalie Hodge
16:00 - 16:40
ATA CARNETS: THE BOOMERANG BENEFIT (Digital Exhibitor Presentation)
Learn why getting your carnet from boomerang carnets adds benefits no one else can offer.
Curt E.H. Wilson
Eric Huyton
Kiel Ursin Kiel
In Association With
