January 2026

WAYNE GARVIE, JIMMY MCGOVERN, TONY SCHUMACHER AND NICOLA SHINDLER AMONG FIRST NAMES ANNOUNCED FOR CREATIVE CITIES CONVENTION 2026 IN LIVERPOOL

26 January 2026

The Creative Cities Convention (CCC) has announced the first raft of stellar names taking part in this year’s conference in Liverpool.

Among the leading industry figures appearing in the eighth annual event on May 6–7 will be:

• Andrea Arnold, Oscar-winning filmmaker
• BAFTA-winning journalist and filmmaker, Mobeen Azhar, returns as host
• Wayne Garvie, President, International Production, Sony Pictures Television (SPT)
• Executive Producer of Liverpool-based crime drama, This City Is Ours, Rebecca Hodgson of Left Bank Pictures
• Asif Kapadia, Oscar and BAFTA-winning director of record-breaking docs Senna and Amy
• Legendary Liverpudlian writer Jimmy McGovern, behind series such as Cracker, Hillsborough and Time
• Jimmy Mulville, Managing Director of Hat Trick Productions
• Nicola Shindler, Chief Executive of leading drama producer, Quay Street Productions
• Creator and writer of hit BBC drama The Responder, Tony Schumacher

The only event dedicated to professionals making film, TV and digital content outside London, the two-day convention attracts hundreds of delegates to hear from leading broadcasters, producers and creative innovators. 

CCC Executive Director, Lisa Campbell, said: “Liverpool’s maverick spirit and outward-looking creative scene make it the perfect home for CCC 2026 — and that energy is reflected in our first wave of speakers. They’re bold voices who don’t shy away from challenging the industry and rethinking how audiences are reached.

With this year’s theme, Where TV Meets Digital, we’ll dig into what disruption and convergence really mean for UK production — from AI and new production technologies to cross-platform storytelling across TV, film, immersive content and shortform. 

We’ll also lean into Liverpool’s UNESCO City of Music pedigree at Camp & Furnace — pairing the conference programme with live music to create a delegate experience that goes beyond the panels.” 

The 2026 Creative Cities Convention will be staged at Camp and Furnace, Liverpool’s foremost live events and music venue, located in the heart of the Baltic Triangle — a thriving creative and digital hub known for its independent studios, production spaces and innovative businesses.

This year’s theme, “Where TV Meets Digital,” will explore how traditional storytelling and emerging technologies are converging to shape the future of the UK’s screen industries — with artificial intelligence, new production technologies, and cross-platform storytelling all on the agenda.

Last year’s convention in Bradford coincided with the city’s UK City of Culture celebrations. It featured record delegate numbers, a debut Skills Summit, public screenings, commissioner meetings and a buzzing YouTube Creators Collective networking event. 

The Skills Summit will return in Liverpool in 2026 targeting both freelancers and emerging creatives with a programme of practical sessions and workshops led by leading industry names. The venue for the 2026 Skills Summit is Boxpark, a fully integrated all-day dining and events space located in the historic Canning Hall as part of the Cains Brewery Village in Liverpool’s cultural and creative hub the Baltic Triangle.

Founded in 2018 by media executive Ruth Pitt and John McVay (PACT), the CCC is led by Executive Director Lisa Campbell, continuing in the role ahead of her newly announced position as BAFTA’s Executive Director of Programmes; Advisory Chair, Ruth Pitt; Director of Operations, Susie Townson; Executive Producer, Sol Papadopoulos; Head of Partnerships, Nina Harrison-Bell; Head of Skills Summit, Sarah Wood and Assistant Producer, Tammie Ash. It is backed by BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Paramount and PACT.

Previous host cities include Leeds, Cardiff, Glasgow, Birmingham, Newcastle, Bristol and Bradford.

‍

ABOUT CREATIVE CITIES CONVENTION

Creative Cities Convention is a leading event bringing together producers and distributors in the fields of film, television, and digital media outside London. Established in 2018, the convention is supported by key stakeholders, including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5/Paramount, and Pact, and is committed to promoting practical support and networking opportunities for professionals in the screen sector. The 2025 conference was held in Bradford, the 2025 City of Culture. www.creativecitiesconvention.com

For further information contact press@creativecitiesconvention.com

‍