Industry Sessions
This year’s programme spans urgent global issues and everyday practicalities — from protecting press freedom and protest rights, to rethinking how we fund, collaborate and create impact.
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Play It Right: Music, Docs and the Legal Beat
Music shapes your story, but rights can derail your film. Doc'n Roll leads a deep-dive into licensing, fair use and distribution, plus tips from industry pros.
  • Industry Programme
Industry Craft Session
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Podcasts with Impact
This discussion will explore the potential for applying impact production approaches to podcasts to help create meaningful change, with case studies and practical tips.
  • Industry Programme
Industry Session
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The Power of Us: Mobilising Allies for Impact
When aiming for meaningful social change through your film, who are the key players to engage and how can their involvement make a difference?
  • Industry Programme
Industry Session
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Protecting the Protest: Filmmakers on the Frontline
Filmmakers and legal experts examine rising global threats to protest and press freedom, and share practical tools for protecting those who document movements on the frontline.
  • Industry Programme
Industry Session
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Risk, Reach and Relevance: BBC Factual in the Age of Streaming
Syeda Irtizaali and the Heads of BBC Documentaries, Arts and Specialist Factual discuss how they're commissioning for iPlayer, the UK's fastest growing streaming service.
  • Industry Programme
Industry Session
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ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund Drop-In
Come and meet the team from the Unscripted TVSkills Fund, and discover what opportunities are available to support your professional and personal development.
  • Industry Programme
Industry Session
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Slow News for Screen: Podcasts and TV with The Observer
Join us to hear from a journalist, podcaster, and documentary maker, to discuss storytelling and how stories can successfully move through mediums.
  • Industry Programme
Industry Session
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Solidarity or Bust!
Join us to hold space for each other in solidarity, learn what organisations and individuals are doing to meet this moment, and name interventions we need.
  • Industry Programme
Industry Session
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Stand Up for Storytelling
Across the world, DEI is under attack and the future of diverse storytelling has never felt more uncertain. But the documentary community isn't backing down. This session is both a rallying cry and a roadmap - bold, unapologetic, and urgently needed.
  • Industry Programme
Industry Session
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Stitch N Bitch Editors Collective Presents: Can We Fix It in Post?
Stitch N Bitch Editors host a craft-focused panel with festival editors, exploring their films, career paths and creative challenges, and offering practical advice for aspiring documentary makers.
  • Industry Programme
Industry Craft Session
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Too Hot to Handle: The Future of Political Documentaries
Political documentaries are an endangered species where many fear to tread. Can their future be safeguarded and what opportunities does the new world order present?
  • Industry Programme
Industry Session
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Top of the Docs: How Boyzone Became Sky Documentaries’ Greatest Hit
Go behind the scenes of Boyzone: No Matter What to learn about the craft and launch of Sky Documentaries' highest-rated Original.
  • Industry Programme
Industry Session
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A United Front: Transforming Climate Storytelling through Collaboration & Creativity with Liz Bonnin
How can filmmakers and TV producers come together to shift the dial on climate change communication, creating powerful stories that inspire action and celebrate impact?
  • Industry Programme
Industry Session
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Unsung Heroes of Production
Meet the invisible hands that build our films: the fixers who unlock access, the production managers keeping films afloat and the production executives with their birds-eye perspective.
  • Industry Programme
Industry Session
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Warner Bros. Discovery Access UK Presents: Reframe the Game
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Access UK will screen three films commissioned as part of Reframe the Game, delivered in partnership with TNT Sports, the programme aims to tell untold stories from across women's sport.
  • Industry Programme
Industry Session
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The Whickers Film & TV Pitch
Who will win the 100k Whickers Film & TV Funding Award? Five emerging directors pitch their debut feature doc projects to a panel of industry judges.
  • Industry Programme
Industry Pitch
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The Whickers Podcast Pitch
Who will win the 15k Whickers Podcast Award to produce their upcoming audio doc? Six audio directors pitch their projects to a panel of industry judges.
  • Industry Programme
Industry Pitch

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