13 JULY 2023 | SOHO | LONDON
The 2023 BE YOU
content programme
Stay tuned.
BE YOU Festival Headliner
Agents of Change: Fireside Chat with Sir Lenny Henry
Soho Media Club’s Resident MC, Muki Kulhan leads a dynamic discussion between Sir Lenny Henry and an industry rising star to challenge the status quo, compare and contrast generational experiences and explore what we can all do to accelerate positive change in media.
Sir Lenny Henry, Actor, Comedian, Singer, Television Presenter and Writer
Fauzia Boakye, Actress • Presenter • Content Creator • Researcher
Moderated by: Muki Kulhan, Chief Innovation Officer, XR Producer & Creative Technologist
Sir Lenny Henry
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Fauzia Boakye
Muki Kulhan
Authentic Stories & Representation
Panel: Authentic, Inclusive Representation Matters -
Are We Nearly There Yet?
Seeing yourself reflected on screen and behind the camera can be empowering and uplifting. Historically however, the depiction of minorities within storytelling formats has been grounded in pervasive stereotypes and film and TV crews are represented by a global majority. We’re at the start of a more inclusive industry but representation can still end up feeling quite superficial if not done in an authentic way, with the right crew and cast.
This panel explores the concept of responsible & representative storytelling representation behind the camera, and on screen. We ask our panel to draw on examples of how they are leading the change by breaking barriers, empowering new talent and attracting new audiences along the way.
Get an understanding of where we are and where we still need to go and leave with practical tips for creating content which shines light on underrepresented stories and does it well.
Angela Ferreira
Emma Hindley
Angela Ferreira, Managing Director, Douglas Road Productions
Emma Hindley, Lead Commissioning Editor, BBC Storyville
Debbie Ramsay, Commissioning Editor, Youth Strand, News & Current Affairs Channel 4
Moderated by: Annika Allen, Head of Diversity, Inclusion, and
Equity, All3Media
Annika Allen
Show And Tell: Production Close Up
Nuanced narratives can raise awareness and create space for dialogue about ways to create a more inclusive society and can make lasting cultural change in the media industry and beyond. However, authentic representation is not just the final result, it’s also the initial response.
This session takes a deep dive into how a diverse cast and crew came together to create compelling content and the unparalleled power of storytelling to make societal shifts and showcases the importance of authenticity and creating television which ignites debate.
Speakers to be announced soon
New Voices: Inspiring New Talent
Bringing New Voices and Perspectives to Commissioning
With diversity targets not being hit, we talk to the broadcasters who have decided on intervention. We explore new initiatives and schemes which ditch the quotas and leapfrog into surfacing exciting and diverse talent to the top.
Speakers to be announced soon
Interview: Funding, Filmmaking and Me - My Journey
We sit down with Jason Osborne, director of LOVE LANGUAGES; a short film made with the support of the film funding. Jason talks us through the process and what it means to be a recipient of funding. Hear the hiccups and highlights of Jason’s journey and gain invaluable advice.
Satmohan Panesar
Jason Osborne, Director, Love Languages
Moderated by: Satmohan Panesar, Commissioning Editor, ITV
Jason Osborne
Ask Me Anything
This is an opportunity for anyone, from industry veterans to new and rising talent, to hear industry experts share their personal career stories and then ask the panel for invaluable advice on navigating the industry, overcoming obstacles and making it.
Melvin Odoom
Fatima Salaria, TV Executive
Mobeen Azhar, Journalist, Radio and Television Presenter and Filmmaker
Melvin Odoom, Radio and Television Presenter
Moderated by: Jasmine Dotiwala, Inclusion & Equity Leader, Multimedia Broadcaster, Producer, Director & Reporter
Fatima Salaria
Mobeen Azhar
Jasmine Dotiwala
Choose Your Breakout:
Career Corner: Carving Your Own Career Path
This career meetup tackles how to get into the notoriously difficult fields of TV, film and gaming.
Learn about how different media sectors are converging, which roles are currently in-demand, what skills are needed and how to work your way up to that dream job (even if you don’t know what it is yet!)
Speakers to be announced soon
If you are a freelancer in need of some advice on financial planning, this unmissable workshop will talk you through some of the essentials such as saving for the mid and long-term, managing limited companies and preparing for the challenging times.
Speakers to be announced soon
Freelancer Financial Toolkit
Digital first meets traditional broadcast: New creators
Online platforms are a magnet for next gen creators who crave creative freedom, easy exposure and more reach. Are platforms such as tiktok and youtube now the go-to destinations for the next wave of creators and should traditional media be creating space for YouTube content?
Speakers to be announced soon
Working on set can be physically and mentally exhausting. Whilst it’s typical to hear of producers catering to every whim of A-list stars, crews often get little support. It can feel like there’s lots of money around, but it’s not trickling down to freelancers who are feeling under-resourced and overworked.
Gruelling hours and frequent burnout leave many production assistants and crew members feeling routinely overworked and underpaid. And the numerous knock-on effects of exhaustion, toxic behaviors and mental health challenges can take their toll.
How can we create better work conditions, push back against overtly toxic aspects of the film industry and manage our mental health?
Protecting mental health on productions
Speakers to be announced soon
Wellbeing & Belonging
Breaking Down Behaviours:
Curate a Culture of Belonging for Young Intersectional Identities
How can you broaden the lens of inclusion which values and supports the multifaceted identities of the team and their unique perspectives and experiences? Lukasz Konieczka gives insight into how to shape a winning culture.
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Lukasz Konieczka
Lukasz Konieczka, Executive Director, Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons' Trust
READY TO GET REAL? STRATEGIES TO BE YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF
Authenticity illuminates the path forward to live the life you want, but what does it take to stay true to yourself and be the person that dances behind closed doors? This brilliant panel gives you the tools to be true to your authentic self and bring yourself to work. It might not happen overnight, but we’ll give some tips on how to get there and build a work/life balance that brings you joy and meaning.
Speakers to be announced
power to the people! safe spaces & speaking out
A robust policy is just the first step to empowering employees to speak out - what does it really take to make people feel fully supported and empowered in a creative role? And what safety blanket is there for the high proportion of freelancers or contractors, who are often overlooked?
In this panel, we chat through how we can safeguard from bullying, encourage authenticity, inclusion and build all the good stuff in. And if you are in an uncomfortable situation, our panel of experts will guide us through where to get help, how and what outcome you can expect.
Emma Butt
Jen Smith, Interim CEO, Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority
Jonathan Coad, PR Professional and Media Lawyer, Coad Law
Moderated by Emma Butt, Dubbing Mixer, ADR Recordist, ADR / Sound Editor
Jonathan Coad
Jen Smith,
The Manifesto for Change:
A Celebration of you Being your Authentic Self
Speakers to be announced soon