Creative Futures Days 2026: Connecting our students to industry

This month we have held our Creative Futures Days across all six campuses. Designed in collaboration with our Careers Managers and Heads of School, these events were tailored to the specific ambitions and needs of our students. They are designed to bring leading industry voices directly into our studios, screening rooms, and creative spaces.

The result was an inspiring, practical, and energising series of days that truly showcased the strength of our industry connections and the ambition of our student community.

From casting clinics to graduate panels, to freelancer finances to studio tours, Creative Futures Days 2026 demonstrated what makes MetFilm School unique: meaningful access to the screen industries.

Birmingham: Building careers in the Midlands and beyond

Our MetFilm School Birmingham campus delivered a dynamic programme focused on practical career development and regional opportunity.

Students heard from producer Chloe Brown, known for her work on Man Like Mobeen, who shared insights into successfully producing in the Midlands. Freelancer Assistant Director Ben Hands guided students through stepping onto the AD route and excelling on set, while Lorna Nixon Brown led an important session on managing freelancer finances.

Festival strategy was covered by Worcester Film Festival with a guide to FilmFreeway success, and students benefited from sessions on networking, first impressions, and online training supported by the BFI.

A graduate panel featuring recent alumni offered honest reflections on life after film school, reinforcing the message that sustainable creative careers are built step by step.

Manchester: Funding, studios and industry insight

In Manchester, Creative Futures Day centred around funding access, employability, and studio engagement.

Students learned how to apply for the BFI Network Short Film Fund, alongside Industry Ready Training delivered in partnership with the BFI. A panel featuring experts from Screen Manchester, ITV Academy and BBC Studios offered practical advice on CVs, networking, and breaking into competitive roles.

A particular highlight was exclusive tours of Versa Studios and Vine FX, which gave students direct exposure to working production environments.

The day concluded with a graduate panel featuring alumni now working across camera, casting, and development – demonstrating the many different pathways available after graduation.

London: writing, acting and creating opportunity

At our London campus, Creative Futures Day began with a buzzing networking breakfast before diving into a programme of creativity and career strategy.

Screenwriter David Lemon explored the realities of working in scripted television, while actor and filmmaker Joan Iyiola discussed creating impact with short films. Sessions led by Maelle Leggiadro encouraged actors to generate their own opportunities through writing and collaboration, reinforcing the importance of career versatility.

BFI Industry Ready Training returned, alongside an introduction to CIISA (Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority), ensuring students left informed not only creatively, but professionally.

The graduate panel wrapped the day with candid advice and reassurance from alumni already navigating the industry.

Leeds: regional powerhouses and industry pathways

A packed out Leeds campus showcased the strength of Yorkshire’s screen sector. Representatives from ITV Academy, Screen Yorkshire, and Royal Television Society offered insight into regional opportunities and freelancer success.

Students took part in a BFI Masterclass, pitching and production sessions supported by Film Hub North, and an “Inside the Audition Room” special with casting and agent professionals.

Industry voices from Warp Films and Wise Owl Films spoke about transitioning into industry, demonstrating the diversity of factual, drama, and unscripted pathways available in the North.

Brighton: finding your niche and sharing your work

Brighton’s Creative Futures Day focused on defining creative identity and understanding distribution.

A standout Industry Panel on “Creating Your Niche” featured Netflix Marketing Director Dani Rayner, alongside Factory Films and Locate Productions.

Students attended a masterclasses with DoP Neil Kent (known for work on The Repair Shop) and 1st AD Malcolm Davis, while a cinema and distribution panel included voices from Directors Notes, Picturehouse Cinemas, and Cinecity.

The conversations around audience building and exhibition were particularly impactful, helping students think beyond production and towards sustainable careers.

Reflecting on this year’s events, Head of Careers at MetFilm School, Judith Suckling, shared her experience:

“I had the pleasure of attending three Creative Futures Days this year: Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. It was fantastic to see the range of students and how they got to interact with their bespoke, local industry. Each day has its uniqueness, and our Careers Managers did a fantastic job of highlighting their campus’ strengths.”

The importance of thinking forward

Across Birmingham, Manchester, London, Leeds and Brighton, Creative Futures Days 2026 achieved exactly what they set out to do:

• Strengthen industry links 
• Provide practical, employability-focused training 
• Showcase alumni success 
• Empower students to take ownership of their creative futures 

With strong attendance, vibrant networking sessions and overwhelmingly positive feedback, this year’s Creative Futures Days were a clear success.

Most importantly, they reinforced a simple but powerful message: at MetFilm School, industry isn’t something students prepare for after graduation – it’s something they engage with from day one.

We’re incredibly proud of the staff, speakers, alumni, and students who made these days such a success, and we’re already looking forward to the next edition!

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