Director, Creative Cities Convention

Leader of Bradford Council

As You Tube celebrates its 20th anniversary, we hear how TV is tappinginto the booming creator media economy and find out where the nextphase of growth is coming from. Host: Mobeen Azhar Presenter, journalist, filmmaker and Creative Cities Convention host Alison Lomax Managing Director, You Tube UK & Ireland

Alison Lomax is joined by 4Studios boss Matt Risley and Eleanor Neale, a You Tuber with a hit true-crime channel to discuss how to launch andelevate content, from video to podcasts. Host: Mobeen Azhar Presenter, journalist, filmmaker and Creative Cities Convention host Alison Lomax Managing Director, You Tube UK & Ireland Matt Risley Managing Director, 4Studios Eleanor Neale Creator and founder of OUTLORE podcast

A dynamic and topical debate tackling some of the industry's most pressing questions, posed by members of our audience. From the fierce competition for domestic drama funding to the evolving role of the UK’s public service broadcasters — we’ll explore what’s at stake and what the future holds. Host: Mobeen Azhar Presenter, journalist and filmmaker Jane Turton, OBE Chief Executive Officer, All3Media Sarah Rose President of 5 and UK Regional Lead, Paramount Marcus Ryder, MBE CEO, Film and TV Charity Gwyneth Hughes Screenwriter

From the Brontes to Bill Bailey, what is Sky’s Executive Director of Unscripted Originals looking for next? Host: Anita Rani Presenter and Author Phil Edgar-Jones, OBE Executive Director, Unscripted Originals, Sky

Commissioners from Amazon, ITV, UKTV and C5 share what is and isn’t working for them, what they’re looking to commission and different funding models. Host: Harjeet Chhokar Unscripted Executive, Amazon MGM Studios / Prime Video Kit Morey Commissioning Editor, Channel 5 & Paramount+ David Smyth Commissioner Entertainment, ITV Helen Nightingale Head of Factual and Factual Entertainment Commissioning, UKTV

TV Stars of the small screen on how soaps are the ultimate training ground, but how do we maintain their success? Featuring cast and crew members from Emmerdale, Corrie and Hollyoaks. Host: Tracy Brabin Mayor, West Yorkshire Channique Sterling-Brown Actor, Coronation Street Jennifer Metcalfe Actor, Hollyoaks Eden Taylor-Draper Actor, Emmerdale Ian Kershaw Writer, Coronation Street Iain Mac Leod Executive Producer for Continuing Drama, ITV Hannah Cheers Executive Producer, Hollyoaks

Presenter, journalist, filmmaker and Creative Cities Convention host

Mayor, West Yorkshire

Commissioners from Amazon, ITV, UKTV and C5 share what is and isn’t working for them, what they’re looking to commission and different funding models. Host: Harjeet Chhokar Unscripted Executive, Amazon MGM Studios / Prime Video Kit Morey Commissioning Editor, Channel 5 & Paramount+ David Smyth Commissioner Entertainment, ITV Helen Nightingale Head of Factual and Factual Entertainment Commissioning, UKTV

As the film, TV, and creative industries continue to experience change and challenges, this panel will shift the conversation from apprehension to opportunity. From AI tools to new career pathways, we’ll focus on practical solutions, upskilling opportunities, and real-world success stories while also acknowledging the potential negative effects of AI. Host: Laura Mansfield CEO, Screen Skills Stephanie Ronan-Chlond AI Filmmaker and Trainer, theaifilmmaker. com James Reevell Executive Editor For Youth Audiences, BBC

Join ITN Productions’ Caroline Short as she ponders the access do’s and don’ts of perennial popular access docs with BBC commissioner Fran Baker and Candour’s BAFTA-award-winning doc maker Anna Hall and media lawyer Sandhiya Sophie Argent. Sponsored by Creators Counsel Host: Caroline Short Head of Factual, ITN Anna Hall Director & Founder, Candour Fran Baker Commissioning Editor, BBC Documentaries Sandhiya Sophie Argent Founding Member, Creators Counsel

Explore the opportunities the ever-evolving global market offers in this session with Julian Bellamy, Managing Director of ITV Studios and Ruth Berry, President ITV Studios Global Partnerships & digital distribution label, Zoo 55. Host: Rebecca Cooney Insight Editor, Broadcast Julian Bellamy Managing Director of ITV Studios Ruth Berry President ITV Studios Global Partnerships & digital distribution label, Zoo 55

Amit Dhand, creator of BBC crime drama Virdee on bringing hisbooks to screen and the importance of creating and sustainingtalent pipelines in the Nations & Regions. Host: Mobeen Azhar Presenter, journalist and filmmaker A. A. Dhand Writer

Channel 4’s Nations and Regions head, Sinéad Rocks, will share insights following the broadcaster’s £35m commissioning boost. Former commissioner turned local producer Will Rowson (Dragonfly North) asks the all-important question on who stands to gain. Host: Will Rowson Creative Director, Dragonfly North Sinéad Rocks Managing Director, Nations & Regions at Channel 4

Where’s the Money? Experts across distribution, digital content and drama…on how to grow your business and get your content made and financed. Host and contributor: Mike Benson Managing Director, Chalkboard & Clapperboard Studios Paul Heaney CEO, Bossa Nova Lucy Smith Founder, Fawkes Digital

DG, Tim Davie shares his vision for growth in the nations and regions. Host: Nick Ahad Writer, broadcaster and presenter Tim Davie, CBE Director General, BBC Shanaz Gulzar Creative Director, Bradford 2025

Sponsored by Production Park Host: Nick Ahad Writer, broadcaster and presenter Matthew Gurney Actor, BBC’s Reunion Peter Balm Warp Films, commercial director Gwen Gorst Warp Films, Executive Producer Caroline Cooper Charles Chief Executive, Screen Yorkshire16: 00 Thank you and Goodbye Host: Mobeen Azhar Presenter, journalist, filmmaker and Creative Cities Convention host Day Two: Thursday 8 May