CREATIVE LABOUR

A Panel Discussion with Q&A

What Motherhood Teaches Us About Making (and Sustaining) Great Work.

The creative industries run on invisible labour — long hours, emotional energy, and unpaid sacrifices that too often go unrecognised. From motherhood to neurodiversity to systemic childcare costs, the true weight of making art is falling hardest on those already underrepresented.

This conversation asks: who really pays the price of creativity, and how do we change the system so that labour is valued, not exploited?

Join:

Emma Butterworth — Bristol-based composer and cellist, whose award-winning scores span wildlife documentaries (The Firefox Guardian, Seeking Sanctuary), narrative dramas, and her first opera Orchard Street. After becoming a mother in 2020, Emma published The Unheard Symphony, a groundbreaking report into how composer mothers are reshaping the music industry.

Jessica Sansom — Acclaimed Unit Stills Photographer (BBC, Sky, Film4, BFI) with nearly 20 years’ experience capturing stories behind the lens. A proud neurodivergent creative, mum of three, and founder of The Stills Sisters Collective, Jessica is a leading advocate for DDN (Disabled, D/deaf and Neurodivergent) representation in film and TV.

Jo Knowler — People & Talent leader with 15+ years shaping teams across global media and digital companies. After becoming a mother, Jo has become a public voice in the fight against the unaffordable cost of childcare, speaking out in national media about how broken systems push parents — especially women — out of the industry.

With more speakers to be announced, this raw and necessary conversation will cut through the noise with lived experience, sharp truths, and bold ideas for building a creative industry that values its people as much as its output.

Networking Online: From Ghosted to “Let’s Talk”

Workshop (60mins) with practical tips and Q&A.

In the digital age, your next collaborator, client, or champion could be just one message away — but how do you cut through the noise? This hands-on workshop with Amanda Graham will show you how to approach online networking with confidence, clarity, and a touch of creative flair.

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.

Through practical exercises and insider tips, you’ll learn:

• How to craft emails and DMs that actually get replies.

• Ways to build rapport online without feeling fake.

• Tricks for being memorable — for all the right reasons.

• How to move from “connection” to real collaboration.

Whether you’re job-hunting, pitching, or just looking to expand your creative circle, this session will help you shift from ghosted to “let’s talk.”

Field Ready: A Crash Course in Location Scouting

Workshop (60-90mins) with practical tips and Q&A.

Behind every unforgettable shot is the perfect location — but finding it takes more than luck. This immersive workshop with Megan Hine introduces the art and science of location scouting, giving filmmakers the tools to evaluate sites for both cinematic impact and practical feasibility.

Through real-world examples, visuals, and hands-on exercises, you’ll learn how to:

• Read creative briefs with a scout’s eye.

• Spot visual opportunities that elevate the story.

• Assess terrain, light, weather, and access points.

• Manage risks around safety, environment, and security.

• Navigate logistics, permits, and cultural considerations.

• Use practical kit, mapping tools, and apps to streamline the process.

A workshop with a mock-scouting exercise, a case study talk, plus a mini on-site scouting mission. You’ll leave with the confidence and know-how to scout locations that deliver not just beautiful frames — but smooth-running shoots.

From Freelancer to Founder

A Panel Discussion with Q&A

This session explores practical steps, mindset shifts, and real stories from creatives who’ve built thriving businesses — turning solo work into long-term, mission-driven ventures.

How do you move from surviving gig-to-gig to building something lasting, mission-driven, and yours? This panel brings together a powerhouse lineup of creatives who’ve each carved their own path — building studios, shaping brands, and proving that founders don’t need to fit a single mould. Expect real talk on the highs, the hurdles, and the practical steps of turning freelance hustle into long-term impact.

Speakers include:

Elle Dimond – Director and Creative with a background in animation and commercial production. After producing campaigns for leading brands, Elle moved into directing where her love of detail and storytelling shines from concept to final cut. Her client list includes Pukka Herbs, Instax, NHS, Sainsbury’s, Habitat, Women’s Aid, and Vax. She is also the co-founder of Rabble Film, a Bristol production house championing South West talent.

Celia Hodgson – Founder and Creative Director at Tiny Studios, a B-Corp production company working with good people and brands. A connector and culture-builder, Celia also co-founded Making Moves + Movies, a community advocating for inclusivity, diversity, and transparency in film. At SISTALAND Festival, Tiny Studios proudly sponsors The Power of No, and Celia will also bring her insight to this career-focused panel.

Lei Money – Creative Designer and Founder of Loot Creative, specialising in brand design, animation, and events that amplify voices and bring bold ideas to life. Having thrived as a small business owner during the rise of remote work, Money knows what it takes to connect brands with audiences in a digital-first world.

Katie Cadwell – Creative Director, Co-Founder of Lucky Dip, and Host of The NDA Podcast. With over a decade shaping global brands, Katie believes building a great brand should always be an undeniably good time. With sharp insights, wit, and hard-won experience, Katie brings no-nonsense truth to the stage.

This is the panel for creatives ready to stop being ‘just a hire’ — and start shaping culture.

Funny Business: Mastering the Art of Comedy Directing

Workshop (60mins) with Q&A

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.

With broadcast writing credits for Nickelodeon and BBC3, commissions from BFI, Exeter Phoenix and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and award-winning shorts screened at BAFTA and OSCAR-qualifying festivals worldwide, Tia brings a wealth of real-world experience to the conversation. She’ll share insider tips, behind-the-scenes stories, and the practical know-how to help you master one of the most challenging — and rewarding — genres to direct. Expect insight, inspiration, and of course, a few laughs along the way.

Not the Token: Navigating the Boys’ Club Without Losing Yourself

Talk (60mins) with practical tips and Q&A

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.

In this unflinching session, Kim MacAskill — award-winning screenwriter, TV writer, and AAA game writer — pulls back the curtain on her own experiences of navigating male-dominated spaces. With wit, honesty, and sharp industry insight, Kim will explore how to:

• Recognise the unspoken rules of the “boys’ club.”

• Protect your creativity and confidence in hostile or dismissive environments.

• Push back against tokenism while still building authentic relationships.

• Thrive on your own terms, without losing yourself in the process.

This session is part rallying cry, part survival guide — a reminder that being “in the room” is not enough. It’s about reshaping the room itself.

Make Room for Us

A Panel Discussion with Q&A

Who gets seen, who gets heard — and who’s still being shut out?

This powerful session unpacks the systemic issues that continue to shape our industry, while spotlighting the trailblazers doing it differently.

Expect sharp insights, lived experience, and bold ideas for dismantling barriers and building a future where women and underrepresented creatives are not just included, but truly centred.

Speakers include:

Sara Harrak – A British-Moroccan Director represented by Curtis Brown and 42 Branded. Sara recently wrapped a rom-com for Channel 5/Paramount (airing November 2025) and her latest Comedy Central sketch lands later this year. Her award-winning short F**KED (Iris Prize 2023, Roze Filmdagen) aired on Channel 4 and is now in development with Wild Mercury as a TV series. Her recent short Solers United premiered at BFI Flare 2025, screens on Film4 this autumn, and is in development as a feature. Recognised by the FA, the film’s trailer was showcased at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and ahead of the Women’s Euros. Named Best Director by the Sara Putt Agency Foundation in 2024, Sara continues to champion bold, diverse storytelling with projects like The Halal Chop (in development with Uncertain Kingdom).

Louise Ndibwirende – A Black queer Film Director and Producer using documentary as a tool for authentic storytelling and social change. Her films Speak Little One and Rice At Home spotlight intergenerational conversations and amplify voices often left unheard. Since beginning her career in 2022 through a scheme to diversify the film sector, Louise has worked with major festivals including Sheffield DocFest and Encounters. Now, she’s focused on empowering the next wave of filmmakers while continuing to bring powerful, socially driven stories to the screen.

With more speakers to be announced, this session is both a rallying cry and a roadmap — because representation isn’t a box to tick, it’s the future of culture.

The Power of NO

A Panel Discussion with Q&A

Boundaries, Burnout + Saying No Without Guilt.

For too long, women and underrepresented creatives have been told to say yes to everything — more hours, more unpaid labour, more “opportunities” that rarely pay off. The result? Burnout, disillusionment, and a culture that takes more than it gives.

This vital conversation explores how women are reclaiming their time and creative energy — and why the industry urgently needs to catch up. Expect honest reflections, practical strategies, and bold ideas for reshaping the way we work.

Speakers include:

Celia Hodgson – Founder and Creative Director of Tiny Studios, a B-Corp production company working with good people and brands. A connector and culture-builder, Celia also co-founded Making Moves + Movies, a community championing female and non-binary creatives while pushing for greater inclusivity, diversity, and transparency across film. Celia will host this session, proudly sponsored by Tiny Studios.

Tia Salisbury – Multi award-winning UK-based Writer and Director specialising in comedy across scripted film, music promos, and branded content. A recipient of the BCG Pro Production Award and finalist in The Sitcom Mission, Tia is part of Directors UK’s Inspire scheme and a returning BAFTA Crew member. Her work has screened at BAFTA- and Oscar-qualifying festivals including BFI London, Encounters, Vienna Shorts, and Aesthetica. She has written for Nickelodeon and BBC3, and directed projects for BFI, Exeter Phoenix, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and additional scenes for the feature film Game (Invada Studios, 2025).

With more speakers to be announced soon, this session is a rallying cry for healthier boundaries, creative sustainability, and saying no without guilt.

Access Coordinators Demystified with Abbie Hills

Workshop (60mins) and Q&A.

Inclusion doesn’t happen by accident — it happens by design. Enter the Access Coordinator, a role rapidly reshaping film and TV by making sets more accessible, equitable, and safe for everyone.

In this illuminating talk, Abbie Hills — leading Access Coordinator and passionate advocate for disability inclusion in screen industries — demystifies the role, shares what access coordinators actually do day-to-day, and explains why they are becoming essential to production teams worldwide.

Expect to learn:

• How access coordinators create safer, more inclusive work environments.

• The difference between legal compliance and true accessibility.

• Practical steps productions can take to improve access right now.

• Why inclusive practice benefits everyone on set, not just disabled creatives.

Whether you’re a producer, director, or freelancer, this session is your chance to understand how access coordinators are helping to build a screen industry where no one is left out.

Radical Rest is Resistence

Keynote Talk

After two unapologetic days of panels, workshops, and creative action, we close the festival by slowing down. This keynote-style talk offers a powerful pause — a space to breathe, process, and take stock of the insights, truths, and connections gathered along the way.

Rather than another panel, this is an intentional moment of reflection and restoration. Guided by an inspiring keynote speaker (to be announced soon), we’ll explore how to carry the energy of SISTALAND forward without burning out, and how to sustain the change we want to see in the industry.

It’s about leaving not only inspired, but also grounded, recharged, and ready — to return to our work and our lives with renewed clarity and collective strength.