On April 23 – 24, 2024 The Creative Cities Convention took place in the heart of Bristol, enabling innovation to intersect with industry and spark ideas to shape the future of TV in the UK.
MyWorld provided funding for ten tickets for a diverse range of individuals from our cohort of supported students and research fellows, giving them access to a key industry gathering to gain insight and network with producers, commissioners and broadcasters.
This year, the convention boasted a record attendance of roughly 400 delegates from all corners of the UK. Participants included the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Paramount, and Pact, as well as Youtube, Netflix, THISTV and Sky joined for the first time, exploring a television industry going through a significant transition period.
Discussions covered a range of topics, from the transformative power of drama to international deal making, and from envisioning the future of factual content to confronting the pressing challenges of the freelance crisis. MyWorld was one of the sponsors of the event programming a panel entitled “The Future is Now” hosted by Verity McIntosh (UWE) and featuring Fiona Campbell (BBC), Ben Lumsden (Dimension), John McVay OBE (PACT) and Steven Shapiro (Aardman) – focusing on the impacts of new technologies.
The Creative Cities Convention provided a fantastic forum for dialogue and collaboration. Beyond the sessions, attendees had the opportunity to forge new connections at the evening networking party.
Recipients of the MyWorld funded bursary tickets commented,
"Attending the Creative Cities Convention provided me with invaluable insights into the inner workings of the industry, particularly regarding how programs are commissioned... I've already started conversations with several attendees and plan to connect with more in the near future. This experience has begun to establish connections within the industry in Bristol, allowing me to expand my network and deepen my understanding of the creative landscape in the city."
"I got to meet a range of people within the screen industry and speak about my work.. I gained some great contacts that I am still in conversation with regarding future projects."
"I really enjoyed the panel sponsored by MyWorld and found that the most relevant and interesting."