Spotlight

Spotlight Forum 2026

by Kristyn Coutts

Spotlight Forum 2026 is heading to Leeds as part of the Leeds International Film Festival.

Themed The North Star: Connecting Our Creative Community, this year’s Spotlight Forum sponsored by Streets Media Accountancy brings together performers, casting directors, talent agents and directors for an engaging day of panel discussions, practical masterclasses, policy roundtables, and performance showcases.

Forming part of the 40th anniversary edition of the Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF), the Spotlight Forum celebrates the thriving creative sector across the North of England, positioning the region as a central hub for UK production and casting.

Based in the hub of Millennium Square and hosted at both Leeds Carriageworks and Leeds City Museum, the day covers a range of critical industry topics from regional production to the digital evolution of Northern soaps, while exploring the emerging technologies and platform shifts shaping the future of creative careers.

“This is a region in which you can live, work, create, and thrive – and we look forward to celebrating that in Leeds with our members and industry colleagues.” — Matt Hood, Managing Director of Spotlight

Spotlight members can apply to attend using the application form found at the link towards the bottom of this article. Tickets cost £25 with all proceeds donated to The Film and TV Charity. A ticket includes access to panels, sessions, a lunch voucher and access to our exclusive evening celebration.

Spotlight Forum 2026 Programme

Sessions

⭐ Navigating A.I. Contracts and Performer Rights

9.30am – 11.00am | Agents, Directors & Casting Professionals

How to spot hidden A.I. terms, defend client likeness and negotiate fair compensation in synthetic media.

A.I. technology is moving fast, putting agents and casting professionals on the front lines of contract negotiation. From broad consent forms to digital voice cloning, knowing where to draw the line – and how to safeguard your clients’ future earnings without stalling deals – has become an essential industry skill.

Led by Dr. Mathilde Pavis, the leading legal mind behind Equity and the PMA’s A.I. guidelines, this actionable Q&A session breaks down complex digital rights into plain English. Supported by two free online pre-forum workshops to lay the groundwork, this session is your dedicated space to tackle real-world contract headaches and gain immediate leverage at the negotiating table.

Speaker:

Dr Mathilde Pavis – Legal Counsel and Policy Advisor on AI

What You’ll Gain:

Hidden Clause Spotting: Master the ability to identify subtle, overarching A.I. language buried in release forms and agreements.
Voice and Likeness Defense: Strategies to shield performers from unauthorised digital cloning, training data exploitation, and synthetic manipulation.
Fair Pay Frameworks: Practical guidance on digital usage fees, securing ongoing royalties, and valuing A.I. licensing.
Negotiation Leverage: How to use current legal standards, copyright frameworks, and industry guidelines to advocate confidently for your clients.

Submit Your Questions

We want to address your real-world contract headaches. Submit your questions in advance so Dr. Pavis can answer them live during the session. (We will contact you in advance).

Session Note: To encourage open, candid discussion around commercial terms and contract practice, this session will not be recorded.

⭐ Prioritising Mental Health and Wellbeing in Casting

9.30am – 11.00am | Casting Professionals and Agents

Fostering healthier environments, managing workload pressures, and introducing new wellbeing tools for the casting sector.

Casting sits at the fast-paced heart of production, where tight turnarounds, high volume workloads, and deadlines take a real toll on mental health. It’s time to shift the conversation from surviving the pressure to actively transforming how our industry operates.

Join Sophie Freeman from The Film and TV Charity’s Mental Health Team alongside a panel of leading casting directors for a candid fireside chat on mental health and workload sustainability behind the screens. This session offers a compassionate, practical space to share frontline realities, discover vital support networks, and help establish a healthier working culture across casting and agent representation.

Speakers:

Sophie Freeman – Engagement and Partnerships Producer,The Film and TV Charity
Speaker announcement coming soon

What You’ll Gain:

The Principles of Mentally Healthy Productions: Key insights and frameworks designed specifically to protect mental wellbeing behind the scenes.
Exclusive Tool First-Look: Be among the first to explore The Film and TV Charity’s brand-new, dedicated support tool designed for industry professionals.
Practical Workload Strategies: Actionable ways to set boundaries, manage high-stress periods, and cultivate long-term, sustainable practices for you and your team.
Peer Support Network: Honest discussion with fellow casting professionals and agents navigating the exact same pressures.

Session Note: To encourage open, candid discussion, this session will not be recorded.

⭐ The Northern Powerhouse Pipeline: From Soap to Cinema

Part 1: 10.15am – 11.15am | Open to all attendees

Part 2: 11.30am – 12.50pm | Performers Only

Celebrating iconic Northern soaps, navigating the digital-first pivot, and connecting directly with leading soap casting directors.

With over 200 combined years of broadcasting history, Northern soaps have long served as the UK industry’s ultimate training ground – propelling local performers from kitchen-sink drama to global streaming stardom. Today, as continuing dramas adapt to digital-first models and social media expansions, their role in shaping the future of screen acting is more vital than ever.

In a landmark industry first, Spotlight brings together the casting teams behind the North’s powerhouse continuing dramas – Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and Hollyoaks – for an unmissable panel and interactive breakout event. Moderated by actor Tom Lorcan (Coronation Street), this session explores the legacy of these flagship soaps, how digital shifts are creating new opportunities, and what the casting directors are looking for today.

The panel will be followed by an intimate breakout session where performers will get time to connect directly with each casting team in small groups to discover the nuances of each production with unique insight into the process from casting right up to your first day on set. Come prepared with your questions, and don’t forget your notepads!

Speakers:

Moderator: Tom Lorcan – Actor, Coronation Street)
Gennie Radcliffe and Katy Scully – Casting, Coronation Street
Ezra Tren-Humphries and Faye Styring – Casting, Emmerdale
Gill Charnock and Peter Hunt – Casting, Hollyoaks

Session Structure

Part 1: The Industry Panel (open to all). An insightful discussion exploring the legacy, digital evolution, and future trajectory of continuing drama, featuring the stories of talent transitioning to international platforms.

Part 2: Interactive Casting Breakout Sessions (exclusive for performers). Following the main panel, performers will divide into small, dedicated groups for direct Q&As with each casting team.

⭐ Making Your Own Break Through Short Film

9.30am – 11.00am | Performers

How to step behind the camera, produce high-impact micro-budget shorts, and propel your acting career onto the international stage.

Tired of waiting for permission or hoping the right breakdown lands in your inbox? The fastest way to transform your screen career is to step behind the camera and build your own breakout vehicle. Highlighting your unique strengths on your own terms isn’t just liberating – it’s a great way of getting your talent discovered; but where do you even begin?

Led by Oscar-winning filmmaker Chris Overton (The Silent Child) and acclaimed Northern director Alfie Barker (Berlinale Dreammaker winner 2026), this practical session breaks down the end-to-end process of producing low-budget short films. Discover how to take a project from an initial concept to the international film festival circuit, using self-made work to capture the attention of top agents, casting directors, and industry decision-makers.

Speakers

Chris Overton – Oscar-winning filmmaker (The Silent Child)
Alfie Barker – Acclaimed Northern director (Berlinale Dreammaker Winner)

What You’ll Gain

Script to Screen Strategy: How to write and select low-budget concepts designed specifically to bring your creative vision to life and show your strengths as a storyteller.
The Micro-Budget Toolkit: Practical baselines for managing realistic budgets, sourcing crew, and securing equipment without sacrificing production value.
Festival and Discovery Pipelines: Strategies for navigating the festival circuit, gaining industry visibility and converting festival buzz into meetings industry decision-makers.
Career Empowerment: Practical methods for shifting away from waiting for roles to creating them, putting your artistic future back in your own hands.

⭐ Safeguarding Children Roundtable

9.30am – 1pm | Invite-only

As part of the Spotlight Forum at Leeds International Film Festival, Spotlight is hosting a private working session to help shape the future of young performer protection.

With the Children’s (Performance and Activities) Regulations 2014 due for review next year, Spotlight is collaborating with the Agents of Young Performers Association (AYPA) and Baroness Floella Benjamin – the architect of the original regulations. We’re bringing together key industry leaders, agents, casting directors, and policy experts to capture existing best practices and build an actionable blueprint for legal reform.

Session Structure:

Part 1: Sector Review and Policy Gaps: An open forum to share frontline experiences and highlight policy areas requiring urgent reform.
Part 2: The Action Blueprint: Synthesising these insights into practical, sector-specific recommendations for next year’s official government review.

Session Note: Please note this session is by invitation only. This session will not be recorded to allow for open dialogue. Spotlight will aggregate all findings to produce a comprehensive industry report.

⭐ Navigating Northern Production Funds and Attaching Talent

11.45am – 1pm | Open to all attendees

How to leverage regional production funds and attach talent with Screen Alliance North.

Understanding how film and high-end TV projects are funded across the North gives performers, agents, and filmmakers a distinct competitive edge. From regional equity investment to production spend requirements, regional funds play a crucial role in deciding where productions shoot and how talent gets attached.

Hosted by Screen Alliance North – the collective skills body driving the region’s screen sector – this industry session brings together the leaders of all four partner film offices. Discover how regional funding mechanisms operate behind closed doors, how local casting decisions are made, and how to position yourself or your roster for high-profile Northern productions.

Speakers

Caroline Cooper Charles – Chief Executive, Screen Yorkshire
Alison Gwynn – Chief Executive, North East Screen
Lynn Saunders – Head of Liverpool Film Office
Rob Page – Managing Director, Screen Manchester

What You’ll Gain

Regional Funding Intelligence: Clear insights into how production money flows through Northern film funds and how funding criteria impacts casting decisions.
Talent Attachment Strategies: Practical advice on how performers and agents can align with funded projects early in the development pipeline.
Direct Executive Access: Unrivalled visibility into the leadership teams governing screen investment across Yorkshire, the North East, the Liverpool City Region, and Greater Manchester.

⭐ Getting to Know Your Crew: Demystifying the Film and TV Set

9.30am – 11pm | Performers

A practical guide to understanding crew dynamics, mastering set jargon, and stepping onto set with total confidence.

Walking onto a high-budget film or TV set can feel like stepping into a foreign country with its own language, hierarchy, and unwritten rules. Knowing who does what behind the camera – and how to communicate effectively with each department – can help keep your focus on your performance rather than set mechanics.

Delivered by the team at Sticks & Glass Skills Hub, this practical session is designed to bridge the gap between creative talent and professional craft. Led by active industry practitioners who know exactly what modern broadcast and film sets demand, you’ll gain a jargon-busting breakdown of set etiquette, crew roles, and real-world floor dynamics.

Speakers

Sticks & Glass Skills Hub – Experienced film, TV, and broadcast practitioners

What You’ll Gain

Set Jargon Decoded: Master the essential terminology and shorthand used across modern production floors.
Department Breakdown: Clear insights into who’s who behind the scenes – from 1st ADs and gaffers to sound recordists and focus pullers – and how each role impacts your work.
Professional Set Etiquette: Practical techniques for working seamlessly with crew members.
Real-World Prep: Practical, up-to-date knowledge straight from active practitioners, ensuring you hit the ground running on every shoot.

⭐ ‘The Split Up’: How Regional Production Powers Northern Creativity

2.45pm – 3.30pm | All Attendees

How relocating a hit TV franchise to Greater Manchester drives local casting, authentic storytelling, and regional industry growth.

When major high-end TV productions set up home in the North, the positive impact reaches far beyond the broadcast screen. Relocating established television franchises brings fresh creative perspective, vital industry investment, and long-term career opportunities directly to the regional talent pool.

This behind-the-scenes case study examines the production journey of The Split Up (Sister / BBC). Featuring key members of the production and local leadership teams, the panel explores critical commissioning decisions, the casting wins for local performers, and how shifting production to Greater Manchester creates dedicated space for authentic South Asian stories.

Speakers

Sonia Allam CDG – Casting Director
Councillor Keith Cunliffe – Deputy Leader, Wigan Council
Additional panel speakers to be announced soon

What You’ll Gain

Local Casting and Storytelling: Insights into creating authentic South Asian representation on screen and expanding opportunities for Northern actors.
Northern Corridor Impact: How strategic investments in high-end drama strengthen the regional creative ecosystem.
Community Legacy: The practical impact on upskilling local crews, fostering emerging talent, and building regional pride behind the camera.

⭐ Casting in the North: Changing the Mindset

3.45pm – 4.45pm | Performers, Agents, Casting Directors, and Production Executives

Confronting audition travel costs, environmental impact, and systemic regional bias to build a fairer national casting ecosystem

With production booming across the UK regions and soaring living costs pushing talent out of the South East, the argument for casting locally has never been more compelling. However, translating regional growth into truly equal access for talent based outside major hubs requires ongoing, practical collaboration across the industry.

This vital closing session tackles the hard realities of regional casting head-on. From peak travel fares that exclude working-class performers to the unnecessary carbon footprint of long-distance audition travel, industry leaders unpack what needs to change. Discover how producers, casting directors, and agents can shift established habits, strengthen regional infrastructure, and ensure equal access for performers across the North and beyond.

Speakers

Panel speakers to be announced soon

What You’ll Gain

Breaking the London Bias: Strategies for bridging geographical divides, reducing audition travel burdens, and unlocking the full potential of regional casting ecosystems.
Economic and Environmental Solutions: Practical ways to address travel costs, improve working-class accessibility, and cut the carbon footprint of the audition process.
Strengthening Regional Ecosystems: How supporting local agencies and casting hubs builds a more resilient, sustainable industry outside London.

How to Apply for Tickets

Spotlight performer members (18+) can register their interest by completing the online application form.

What’s Included: If you’re selected to attend, your ticket will include access to workshops, industry panel sessions, a lunch voucher and an invitation to an exclusive evening gala.
Ticket Price: Tickets are £25 with all proceeds donated to The Film and TV Charity.

*This form is exclusively for Spotlight performer members who are 18+.

Tickets for agents, casting professionals and LIFF attendees will go on sale on Thursday 8 October. All tickets include access to panel sessions, talks, a hosted lunch and an invitation to an exclusive evening gala.

Our Sponsors

We’d like to thank Streets Media Accountancy for joining us as this year’s headline sponsor.

“Streets are delighted to be the headline sponsor of The Spotlight Forum 2026 […] We know that behind every performance, production and creative project is a business that needs to work financially too. We work alongside our clients to provide the clarity, confidence, and financial support they need – so they can focus on their creativity and what they do best.” — Mark Carr, Director of Streets