Events and Opportunities (W.C. 29 May)
EVENTS
1.TV Preview: Black Mirror
BAFTA 195 Piccadilly, BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9EU
Tuesday, 13 June 2023 – 7:00pm
BAFTA will screen the episode titled ‘Demon 79’ set in Northern England, 1979, in which a meek sales assistant is told she must commit terrible acts to prevent disaster.
Black Mirror Series 6 is a five part series made by Broke and Bones for Netflix. It is executive produced by Charlie Brooker, Jessica Rhoades, Annabel Jones and Bisha K. Ali (Demon 79 and Joan is Awful)
The preview will be followed by a Q&A with:
Charlie Brooker, writer/creator and executive producer
Bisha K. Ali, writer and executive producer
Toby Haynes, director
Anjana Vasan, actor
Paapa Essiedu, actor
Book your ticket HERE
2. BAFTA Lecture: Hassan Akkad
BAFTA 195 Piccadilly, BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9EU
Friday, 23 June 2023 – 7:00pm
Following a screening of his short film Matar, which tells the story of a Syrian asylum seeker living on the fringes of society, hear from BAFTA-winning filmmaker and refugee rights activist Hassan Akkad, as he shares his own experiences of fleeing conflict in Syria in 2015, and subsequent work as a filmmaker in the UK.
The first in a series of events delivered in collaboration with Counterpoints Arts, which aims to explore the importance of authentic storytelling of refugees onscreen, and the positive impact of collaboration with creatives who have lived experience of migration, in order to build narrative power and create social change.
Hassan’s lecture will be followed by a moderated Q&A.
Please join us after this event for some informal networking drinks in the Reuben Gallery from 20.30 – 22.00 BST.
About the Speaker
Hassan Akkad is an award-winning filmmaker and creative director at Choose Love. He co-directed Netflix’s Convergence: Courage in a Crisis (2021) and was the associate producer of the Netflix film The Swimmers. Hassan’s short film, Matar, which he co-wrote and directed was released on WaterBear in 2023 and produced by Deadbeat Films. Hassan was part of the team that made Exodus: Our Journey to Europe which won a BAFTA for Best Factual Series in 2017.
About Counterpoints Arts
Counterpoints is a leading national organisation in the field of arts, migration, and cultural change. Using arts-centered and collaborative approaches, Counterpoints strives to promote and normalise diverse representations of displacement and migration in both public and digital spheres. They are a registered charity based in London, working nationally and internationally. To find out more about their mission, values and impact visit www.counterpointsarts.org.uk
About BAFTA
BAFTA is a world-leading independent arts charity that brings the very best work in film, games and television to public attention and supports the growth of creative talent in the UK and internationally. Through its Awards ceremonies and year-round programme of learning events and initiatives – which includes workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes in the UK, USA and Asia – BAFTA identifies and celebrates excellence, discovers, inspires and nurtures new talent, and enables learning and creative collaboration. For more, visit www.bafta.org. BAFTA is a registered charity (no. 216726).
Book your ticket HERE
3. Anatomy of a Hit: The Traitors
The Traitors on BBC One was a phenomenon and instant hit. Unique in its commissioning, production style, casting, social media impact and reach. The first series now stands at an incredible 34 million views on BBC iPlayer, prompting a swift recommission for series two.
This panel, including fan favourite Maddy Smedley, will give you the behind-the-scenes story of the strategy that delivered this emotional rollercoaster, and the nail-biting gambles along the way.
More information to follow soon!
Event Details
Date: Tuesday 13 June
Location: Cavendish Conference Centre, W1G 9DT
Time: 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start
Booking Details
Tickets for RTS members are free but must be booked in advance (please input your membership number when booking). If you do not know your membership number, please email membership@rts.org.uk.
Tickets for non-members are £15.
Tickets are non-refundable.
4. RTS Cambridge Convention 2023
The RTS Cambridge Convention 2023 is now open for bookings.The biennial Cambridge Convention will take place on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 September 2023 at King’s College, Cambridge.
The agenda-setting programme, titled Too Much to Watch, will bring together influential thought leaders and prominent executives to debate the opportunities and impact of changing consumption habits reshaping global television. The Principal Sponsor for this year’s RTS Cambridge Convention is Channel 4.
Alex Mahon, CEO of Channel 4 and Convention Chair, said: “I’m delighted Channel 4 is this year’s RTS headline partner. The brilliant Advisory Committee and I look forward to welcoming an outstanding line-up of international speakers.”
Speakers
The initial line-up of industry leaders who will speak at the two-day convention includes:
Mike Fries, CEO and Vice Chairman, Liberty Global
Shay Segev, CEO, DAZN
Bryan Lourd, Co-Chairman, Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
Linda Yaccarino
Debbie Weinstein, VP & MD, Google UK & Ireland
Evan Shapiro, Media Cartographer
Ajaz Ahmed, CEO, AKQA
Jordan Schwarzenberger, Co-Founder, Arcade Media, The Sidemen
Returning speakers include:
Tim Davie, Director-General, BBC
Carolyn McCall, CEO, ITV
Dana Strong, Group CEO, Sky
Maria Kyriacou, President, Broadcast & Studios, International Markets, Paramount Global
Stephen Van Rooyen, CEO, Sky UK & Ireland and Chief Commercial Officer, Sky Group
Further high-profile speakers will be announced in due course.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday 20 September to Thursday 21 September
Location: 11 West Road, Cambridge, CB3 9DP
Booking Details
The full ticket price is £2,000 excluding VAT.
5. Eurovision 2023 – Meet the team behind the greatest show on earth
As the BBC continues its preparations to host the Eurovision Song Content 2023, ensure your ticket is booked to the RTS’ debrief with the elite senior production team tasked with bringing the live Semi-Finals and the Grand Final to the world stage.
Kate Phillips (Director of Unscripted, and Eurovision Lead for the BBC) will be joined by BBC Studios Entertainment & Music’s Lee Smithurst (Head of Show), James O’Brien (Executive in Charge of Production) and Nikki Parsons (Lead Director) to discuss the creative, technical and logistical feat behind delivering the world’s biggest music event to a global audience of over 160 million.
Quizzing panellists on how they united to celebrate Ukraine’s victory as well as UK creativity will be Eurovision Turquoise Carpet Opening Ceremony presenter and proud Liverpudlian, Sam Quek.
Panellists
Kate Phillips, Director of Unscripted (BBC): Kate is responsible for the overall commissioning strategy and delivery of the BBC’s full range of unscripted content, including Entertainment, Factual, Daytime, Events and of course Eurovision! A lifelong fan of the contest, here she represents the BBC’s core Eurovision team which includes Martin Green (Managing Director) and Rachel Ashdown (Lead Commissioner).
Lee Smithurst, Head of Show (BBC Studios): Lee Smithurst, Head of Show (BBC Studios): Lee takes creative lead on editorial for the three live shows, having worked on five Eurovision contests to date. In recent years, Lee has played an instrumental role in bringing the UK delegation from ‘nil point’ to centre stage. Lee’s wider credits include I Can See Your Voice, Kylie Minogue’s Secret Night and Soccer Aid.
James O’Brien, Executive in Charge of Production (BBC Studios): James oversees the technical delivery of the Eurovision live shows and broadcast, and all other elements within the venue precinct. James has experience working on large scale events such as MTV Europe Music Awards the London Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
Nikki Parsons, Lead Director (BBC Studios): Multi-award winning Director Nikki Parsons is lead director for the Eurovision 2023 Grand Final and Semi Finals. Nikki has been Series Director of Strictly Come Dancing since 2006 and most recently was one of the directors on Queen Elizabeth II’s and the Duke of Edinburgh’s funerals.
Chair: Sam Quek
Sam will be presenting the Eurovision Turquoise Carpet Opening Ceremony and is a key member of the BBC Studios presenting family, the first female Captain on A Question of Sport and now a full-time presenter on Morning Live.
Event Details
Date: Monday 5 June
Location: Cavendish Conference Centre, W1G 9DT
Time: 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start
Booking Details
Tickets for RTS members are free but must be booked in advance (please input your membership number when booking). If you do not know your membership number, please email membership@rts.org.uk.
Tickets for non-members are £15.
Tickets are non-refundable.
6. Straight 8 Originals
Celebrating the beauty and versatility of Super 8 film with a special showcase from Straight 8, including work by Edgar Wright, Alice Lowe and more.
We are delighted to announce that directors Edgar Wright, Asif Kapadia and Mark Jenkin will be joining us in conversation for this screening.
Event Details
Date: Thursday 08 June 2023 21:15
Location: NFT1, BFI Southbank
About the Event
Straight 8 has done much to preserve interest in the glorious aesthetic of 8mm film. From small beginnings it’s now a global filmmaking challenge: you shoot your mini masterpiece on a single roll, edit it in camera, with retakes and post-production strictly forbidden. We’ll be showing 16 of the best titles from the last two decades. Excitingly, eight of them will be projected from the original 8mm reversal film – the very piece of film that whirred through the filmmakers’ cameras. But this will be the prints’ final outing: straight after the screening they will join the BFI National Archive to ensure they’re preserved for posterity. In addition, eight more recent Straight 8 films shot on negative Super 8 have been optically printed to positive especially for this event.
Robin Baker
Presented in association with Straight 8.
Book your tickets HERE
7. Dexter Fletcher in Conversation
BFI welcomes the acclaimed actor-turned-director, who talks about his life in front of and behind the camera both in television and cinema.
Event Details
Date: Sunday 04 June 2023 14:00
Location: NFT1, BFI Southbank
About the Event
Dexter Fletcher started out as a child actor on TV and in films directed by Derek Jarman, Alan Parker and David Lynch. He successfully made the transition to adult roles, appearing in films by Mike Leigh, Guy Ritchie and Matthew Vaughan, before turning to directing with Wild Bill and, subsequently, Sunshine on Leith, Eddie the Eagle and Rocketman. As he celebrates over 50 years in the business and the release of his thriller Ghosted, we are delighted to welcome Dexter Fletcher to BFI Southbank to talk about his rich and varied career.
Book your tickets HERE
8. Medusa Deluxe + Q&A with director Thomas Hardiman and cast members Darrell D’Silva, Debris Stevenson, Anita-Joy Uwajeh, Luke Pasqualino and Nick Karimi
A thrilling and crowd-pleasing one-shot murder mystery set in the cut-throat world of competitive hairdressing.
The Q&A will be hosted by Mia Bays, Director of BFI National Lottery Film Fund.
Event Details
Date: Monday 05 June 2023 20:40
Location: NFT1, BFI Southbank
- DirectorThomas Hardiman
- WithClare Perkins, Kayla Meikle, Lilit Lesser
- UK 2022. 101min
- Digital
- Certificate15
- A MUBI release
Perfectly coiffured, this murder mystery, set in the world of competitive hairdressing is a smart and scintillating single-shot delight. Scandal is afoot at a hairdressing competition: one of the competitors has been found scalped. The event is shut down and the venue locked down, leaving rival stylists and models trapped together, to dramatically speculate and squabble on who is guilty, why they did it and which one of them might be the next victim. It’s fantastically fun and stylish feature debut from writer-director Thomas Hardiman, who with cinematographer Robbie Ryan sweeps us along the all the backstage drama and chaos in an action-packed single-take and in a charged 4:3 aspect ratio. Fabulous costumes and spectacular hair create a visual feast, while the hilarious and dedicated ensemble cast don’t miss a snip.
Kimberley Sheehan, Film and Events Programmer
This screening will have audio description available.
Book your ticket HERE
See other screenings of this film.
9. London Short Film Funding Summit
Are you looking to learn how to fund your next short film? Then the London Short Film Funding Summit is the event for you! This full-day event will be packed with seminars, talks, panel discussions and networking. You can expect to leave the event with a huge amount of insight into how the short film industry works, what different paths you can take and which strategy might be best suited for your particular project.
Event Details
Date: Sat, 3 Jun 2023 11:00 – 17:00 BST
Location: The Comedy Store 1a Oxendon Street London SW1Y 4EE
Find more HERE
10. 24th Rainbow International Film Festival London 2023
The 24th Rainbow International Film Festival will take place in June 2023 across East London. There will be many programmes including their “Women in Film” section, where they are organising a day film-making activity. The Brady Arts Centre, at the Theatre Hall. The festival will officially close and announce this year’s awards on Sunday 4th June at Kenneth More Theatre.
Event Details
Date: Thu 1 – Sun 4 Jun
Location: Various London Venues
11. Sci-Fi London Film Festival 2023
The Sci-Fi London Film Festival returns to London cinemas in June and the festival promises to deliver an exciting line-up of international science-fiction cinema. From thought-provoking dramas to spine-tingling thrillers, this year’s festival is not to be missed. Explore the cutting-edge of the genre and be immersed in fantastical worlds and mind-bending concepts.
Event Details
Date: Thu 1 – Tue 6 Jun
Location: Various London Venues
12. Film London Labs: The Vanguard Writers Sessions
Online; Mon 5 – Fri 9 Jun
The art of storytelling is constantly evolving as writers innovate with different kinds of narrative, unexpected tones and blends of genres, and fresh ways of telling stories. Staying true to the foundations of dramatic writing, how can you exercise your creativity, ensure your script stands out and fully express your voice on the page?
In this lab, we’ll be exploring ways in which to raise your game and elevate your work – whether through subverting expectations, experimenting with genre and tone, telling stories with a conscience to have an impact or simply getting your script into the best possible shape.
Whether you’re developing original projects or working on staff (or looking to get staffed) on a TV show; whether you’re early in your writing career or you’re a seasoned scribe; this Lab aims to offer insights that will inspire and enrich your writing process.
Speakers confirmed so far include:
- Del Kathryn Barton, Director & Writer, and Huna Amweero, Writer (Blaze), on creative expression within visual storytelling.
- Jamie Carragher, Writer and Story Editor (Succession), on the room where it happens: navigating the world of writing TV
- Janet Awe, Development Producer, on finding your voice as a writer
- Josh Cockcroft, Producer & Director at Climate Spring, on Writing to change the world: How stories can combat the climate crisis
- Rachel Pronger, Script Reader, on key issues that commonly arise in screenplays by new writers
- Stephen Follows, Writer, Producer and Storytelling Consultant, on the current landscape of AI in the creative process.
- Katherine Kearns, Writer & Executive Story Editor (Yellowjackets), on genre and tonal balance.