SHAKE THE SYSTEM
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SHAKE THE SYSTEM ✺
DAY TWO
Day Two is about sustaining your creative energy, setting boundaries, and building a life that works as beautifully as your work does.
Through honest panels, practical workshops, and grounding conversations, we explore what it really means to make a career in the creative industries - and stay well while doing it.
Expect connection, reflection, and a few aha! moments along the way..
Wednesday 12th November
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Wednesday 12th November ✺
DAY TWO MAIN STAGE
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10AM
Creative Labour
A Raw Conversation on Juggling Babies, Deadlines, and Ambition -
12PM
From Freelancer to Founder
Learn how to Build a Creative Brand that goes Beyond ‘Just a Hire’ -
1PM
Self Love Unleashed: The Show
Part comedy. Part tragedy. Mostly empowering -
2PM
Make Room for Us
Who gets seen, who gets heard - and who’s still being shut out? -
3PM
The Power of No
Boundaries, Burnout + Saying No Without Guilt -
4PM
Radical Rest is Resistance
Rather than another panel, this is an intentional moment of reflection and restoration
WORKSHOPS
11AM
WITH AMANDA GRAHAM
NETWORKING ONLINE: FROM GHOSTED TO ‘LET’S TALK’
How to turn ignored emails and dead-end DMs into genuine opportunities. Amanda draws on her career as a writer, script editor, and creative collaborator, with over 90 projects for the BBC, Channel 4, and Zero Gravity Group, plus partnerships with Olivia Colman, Ed Sinclair, and Tristram Shapeero. She knows what it takes to open doors and keep conversations alive.
11AM
WITH MEGAN HINE
Led by survivalist and expedition leader Megan Hine, this session equips you with the essentials to stay safe, comfortable, and in control while focusing on your creative work.
Field Ready: A Crash Course in Location Scouting
12PM
WITH TIA SALISBURY
Funny Business: Mastering the Art of Comedy Directing
Comedy may look effortless on screen, but behind every laugh is a careful balance of timing, performance, and precision. In this session, multi award-winning writer/director Tia Salisbury unpacks the craft of comedy filmmaking — from working with actors to sharpen delivery, to shaping pace in the edit, to trusting your instincts when a joke doesn’t land.
2PM
WITH KIM MACASKILL
Not the Token: Navigating the Boys’ Club Without Losing Yourself
What does it really take to succeed in industries still dominated by old boys’ networks? Too often, women and underrepresented creatives are made to feel like the “token hire” - forced to adapt, overperform, and compromise just to stay in the room.
3PM
WITH ABBIE HILL
Enter the Access Coordinator, a role rapidly reshaping film andTV by making sets more accessible, equitable, and safe for everyone.
Access Coordinators Demystified with Abbie Hills
MONEY SOFA
Take a seat on The Money Sofa
SISTALAND’s dedicated space for real, unfiltered conversations
about money in creative work.
Across both festival days, Lisa Meller will lead two interactive workshops:
Feast or Famine Finances Creative ways to stay afloat between paydays when cashflow feels unpredictable. Expect practical tools, mindset shifts, and honest talk about navigating freelance finances without losing your spark.
Lisa will also be available throughout the festival for 1:1 bookable finance coaching sessions, offering guidance on budgeting, pricing, and financial confidence for freelancers and founders alike.
SOFA SESSIONS WITH LISA MELLER 💸
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FEAST OR FAMINE FINANCES - @11AM
NO NEED TO BOOK AHEAD - Just pull up a cushion at The Money Sofa to catch the Feast or Famine Finances sessions, and stay for real talk on surviving the creative cashflow rollercoaster.
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1:1
Want a 1:1 chat about money, freelancing, or finances between paydays? Head straight to The Money Sofa when doors open to book your slot - spaces go fast!
Available on both days.
OTHER HAPPENINGS..
SHORTIES POP UP
SHORTIES is an all-female filmmaking community founded by Lois Tallulah, empowering women to connect, create, and grow in film. Through monthly screenings, creative workshops, script readings, and non-cringe networking events, SHORTIES champions collaboration over competition. Expect lots of hugs, real talk, and a celebration of women rewriting the rules of the industry.
SWIF POP UP
South West Independent Film (SWIF) is a thriving community of over 500 filmmakers across the South West and Cardiff. Founded by writer-director Holly Holdsworth, SWIF connects the indie film scene through events, networking opportunities, and its much-loved weekly digest - a go-to resource for crew calls, funding, and behind-the-scenes updates. At SISTALAND Festival, SWIF brings its signature spirit of connection and collaboration, helping filmmakers access new opportunities, meet their people, and stay inspired outside the algorithm.
CLUB THRIVE POP UP
Feeling burnt out, stuck, or held back by self-doubt? Club Thrive is here to help you get your spark (and confidence) back.
Through mindset tools, community, and practical coaching, Club Thrive helps women overcome money and time blocks, silence their inner critic, and close the gaps in their professional network that keep them in survival mode. Whether you’re rebuilding after burnout, balancing motherhood and ambition, or simply ready to feel seen again - come take a breath, reconnect with your purpose, and start thriving.
TECH PETTING ZOO
TECH PETTING ZOO
YES, YOU READ THAT RIGHT
Curious about kit but not sure where to start? Step into The Tech Petting Zoo - a playful, hands-on space where you can get up close with the tools that bring stories to life. From cameras and lighting setups to sound gear, this zone invites you to touch, test, and tinker in a no-pressure environment. Whether you’re new to set life or brushing up on your skills, come get curious, ask questions, and build confidence with the tech that powers creative storytelling.
AND IF THAT WASN’T ENOUGH TO KEEP YOU BUSY…
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Behind the Role
Drop-In Sessions
Pop by for casual, small-group chats with women and non-binary creatives working across film, media, and design. Ask anything - no panels, no pressure, just honest insights from people doing the work. Check your programme for timings on each day.
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Crew Marketplace
A meet-and-connect zone for freelancers, filmmakers, and creatives looking to collaborate. Drop your card or simply start a conversation - you never know who you’ll meet!
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Refresh Station
Step away from the noise for a moment of calm. Recharge with a drink, stretch it out, or just breathe - because rest is part of the process.
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Marketplace Pop-Up
Explore an edit of female-founded and creative-led brands, from wellness to stationery to sustainable goodies. Every purchase supports a small business and a bigger mission.
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The Dream Wall
Your space to dream out loud. Add your wildest career goals, dream collaborations, or creative wishes to the wall and see what connections spark.
✺ Day Two FAQs -
Power in the Process
(Wednesday 12 Nov) ✺
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Doors open at 9:00am, with the first session starting at 10:00am. We’ll wrap up the main programme around 5:00pm, followed by goodbyes with a wrap by 6:00pm.
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Absolutely. Each day stands alone - Day Two focuses more on process, wellbeing, and long-term creative sustainability. You’ll still meet loads of new faces and leave inspired.
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Head to the main entrance where our SISTALAND crew will scan your ticket and hand you your pass.
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Yes! Our vendor partners and Refresh Station will be open all day for snacks, drinks, lunch and dinner options.
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Not this time - we’ll be wrapping up after the final sessions so our crew (and you!) can rest those buzzing brains 💫
But don’t worry, we’ll be back bigger and brighter next year - and trust us, you won’t want to miss that one! -
Yes! Both are open across both days - perfect for connecting with new collaborators or leaving a note for your future self.