Industry Day

Calling all filmmakers, artists and documentary-curious people. Do you want to know more about the documentary film industry, find out who is producing and funding independent non-fiction projects and immersive documentary art, and meet with other film creatives and potential collaborators?  Then book for this jam-packed day of presentations, panel discussions, case studies, one-to-ones and networking in partnership with BFI Doc Society and Screen South.

The day features five essential and informative panels including conversations with talented filmmakers and execs about documentary features, shorts, and hybrid projects. Open to all, whatever level of experience. The sessions are ‘relaxed’ and there will be tea and coffee available throughout the day if you need to take a break.

The Industry Day will be followed by networking drinks at Kollectiv supported by Dr Jekyll’s mysteriously refreshing beer. Free to Industry Day ticket holders.

NEW FOR 2025 - this year, we’re offering the chance for budding filmmakers with a ticket for the Industry Day to book one-to-ones with industry experts during the Friday and Saturday mornings of the festival. These slots are offered on a first come first served basis and are available only to Industry Day ticket holders. More info coming soon on how to book a slot!

In partnership with BFI Doc Society and Screen South

Schedule

9.30am - Doors Open

10am-10.15am - Introductions &  Welcome

10.15-11.15am - Filmmaker Masterclass with Eleanor Mortimer

We’re delighted that this year’s keynote speaker is local filmmaker Eleanor Mortimer, director of How Deep Is Your Love? (FDF 2025). The film is her first feature documentary which explores the last wilderness on earth at the bottom of the ocean. Eleanor’s work centres on re-imaginings of the world through unusual, hidden or overlooked perspectives. Her first short film Territory screened at over fifty festivals including Sundance and received a Grierson nomination. Alongside her independent work, Eleanor makes commissions for galleries, publishers and TV and teaches filmmaking to community groups and in film schools. She’ll speak about the transition from shorts to features, and making work that crosses definitions of documentary.

11.15am-11.30am - Tea & Coffee Break

11.30am-12.30pm - Alternative Funding and Distribution 

Documentary funding and releasing has become more complex in recent years, with filmmakers having to be increasingly entrepreneurial. But this can be a positive! Hear from producers, distribution experts and platforms with experience of doing things differently, including crowdfunding and community film tours. Speakers include Max Upton (Crowdfunder.co.uk), Becca Wolff (Grand Theft Hamlet), Jonny Tull (Tull Stories independent film distribution), Christo Hird and Dan Edelstyn (Power Station, FDF 2025/ Dartmouth Films), and Tolu Stedford (Story Compound).

12.30pm-1.30pm - Lunch Break

1.30pm-2.30pm - Meet The Funders

Your chance to hear from documentary commissioning, funding, distribution and exhibition executives for films of all lengths, and ask them anything. Speakers include representatives from Scottish Documentary Institute, The Whickers, Doc Society/BFI, The Guardian, BFI Network, and Violet Pictures.

2.40pm-3.30pm - Meet The Shorts Makers

Hear from some of the short film makers in this year’s festival programme - how did they get their shorts funded and made, how long did it take, and what are they making next? Speakers include Tina Pasotra, Usayd Younis and Mos Hannan. Hosted by Sanne Jehoul from BFI Doc Society.

3.30pm-3.45pm Tea & Coffee Break

3.45pm-4.30pm - What Do Audiences Want?

We love making our documentaries, but do audiences actually want to come and watch them, and how do you know? This session will look into what documentaries are working well at cinemas and how exhibitors have got audiences in the room.

Speakers include Duncan Carson (Independent Cinema Office), Jenny Horwell (Bertha Dochouse) and Isra Al Kassi (Tape Collective, Bird’s Eye View).

4.30pm - Conclusions

4.45pm-6.15pm - Networking Drinks at Kollectiv hosted by BFI Doc Society & Screen South Mix and match with your fellow filmmakers and creative storytellers working across the South East, meet new collaborators and chat with the speakers from the day.