Spotlight Forum 2026 relocates 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 event celebrates the thriving creative sector across the North of England, positioning the region as a central hub for UK production and casting.
“We can’t wait to welcome casting professionals and performers to LIFF 2026 for this major industry event that is taking place in the city for the first time outside of London.” — Chris Fell, Director of Leeds International Film Festival
Based in the hub of City 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 and include access to panels, sessions, a lunch voucher and access to our exclusive evening celebration. All ticket proceeds will be donated to The Film and TV Charity.
We’re pleased to announce that Streets are 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
Spotlight Forum 2026 Programme
⭐ Performer Skills 2027: Future-Proofing Your Acting Career
Audience: Performers
What will it take to thrive as an actor over the next decade? To mark Spotlight’s upcoming 100th anniversary, we bring you Performer Skills 2027 – the Spotlight Forum’s forward-thinking sessions built for proactive actors and industry reps alike.
Rather than giving in to the fear surrounding emerging technology, these practical taster sessions focus on equipping you with the skills of tomorrow. Explore the emerging technologies, new media formats and platform shifts shaping what the future of performance could look like.
Sessions
- Sticks and Glass: Workshop
- Navigating human-AI collaboration
- Building Your Online Presence and Brand
- Make Your Own Break: Short Film as a Pathway to Success
Whether you are looking to explore human interaction with Artificial Intelligence, take the leap with social media or expand your personal brand and audience, Performer Skills 2027 delivers actionable, practical guidance, whilst cutting through the fear and noise about emerging technologies and industry trends.
Further details of these events will be revealed in October.
⭐ Directors UK and Spotlight Present: Working with Actors
Audience: Directors and Performers
Led by director Suri Krishnamma (Coronation Street, Emmerdale), this intensive masterclass pairs directors and actors in trios to cover script analysis, performance warm-ups, scene work, and real-time directorial feedback.
⭐ Artificial Intelligence: Navigating Performer Rights, Synthetic Media & Next-Gen Contracts
Audience: Agents and Casting Professionals
Expert Dr. Mathilde Pavis (leading AI guidance for Equity and the PMA) provides straight-talking advice on spotting AI clauses in contracts, preventing unauthorised voice and likeness cloning, securing fair pay, and negotiating rights.
⭐ Behind the Screen: Prioritising Mental Health in Casting
Audience: Casting Professionals
A fireside chat with The Film & TV Charity and leading casting professionals unpacking workload pressures, mentally healthy production principles and launching the Charity’s new dedicated support tool.
⭐ Make Your Own Break: Short Film as a Pathway to Success
Audience: Performers
Oscar-winning filmmaker Chris Overton (The Silent Child) and Berlinale award-winning director Alfie Barker breakdown micro-budget tools, festival strategies, and writing roles tailored to your strengths to build your own career momentum.
⭐ Soap to Cinema: The Northern Powerhouse Pipeline
Audience: All Attendees
Celebrating the importance of our legendary kitchen-sink continuing dramas while prospecting their digital-first future.
From training grounds to global platforms, this session explores how Northern soaps act as a launchpad for performers, adapt to modern viewing habits, and propel local performers onto the international stage.
⭐ The Split Up: How Regional Production Powers Northern Creativity
Audience: All Attendees
A deep dive into the relocation of the BBC/Sister’s drama from London to Manchester, exploring how regional investment fosters local casting wins, upskills crew, and elevates authentic South Asian storytelling.
⭐ Talent Discovery in the North
Audience: All Attendees
Exploring the financial, practical and environmental realities of regional casting. We look at what needs to change to ensure talent across the North, Scotland, and the regions gets equal access.
How to Apply for Tickets
Spotlight performer members (18+) can register their interest by completing the online application form.
Register Your Interest to Attend Spotlight Forum 2026*
- 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+. General sale for agents and casting professionals will go live on 28 September 2026.
