top of page
6_edited.png

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

1020737342_edited_edited.jpg

Sir Lenny Henry

image0 (4).jpeg

Fauzia Boakye

C0002.00_06_19_19_edited.jpg

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.

2220902_04 ferreia3_edited.jpg

Angela Ferreira

Emma Hindley_edited.jpg

Emma Hindley

8_edited.jpg

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

3.jpg

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.

mockup-of-a-macbook-pro-on-a-table-at-a-coffee-shop-2447-el1.png

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.

apple-cinema-display-ipad-work-environment.png

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.

Screenshot 2022-09-22 at 16.09_edited.jpg

Satmohan Panesar

Jason Osborne, Director, Love Languages 

Moderated by: Satmohan Panesar, Commissioning Editor, ITV

Jason Osborne_edited.jpg

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 Odoon_edited.jpg

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

naked_freeM_221122_107.jpeg

Fatima Salaria

mobeen-head-shot_0_edited.jpg

Mobeen Azhar

Jasmine Dotiwala Headshot.png

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!)

774A6117.jpg

Speakers to be announced soon

774A5471.jpg

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?

774A5811.jpg

Speakers to be announced soon

774A6105.jpg

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.

Headshots-16 (1)_edited.jpg

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.

774A5503_edited.jpg

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 Headshot_edited.jpg

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 KL photo.jpeg

Jonathan Coad

Jennifer Smith by Nina Photography-4.jpeg

Jen Smith,

The Manifesto for Change:
A Celebration of you Being your Authentic Self

774A5843.jpg

Speakers to be announced soon