The Power of One

Closing Keynote Experience with Kate Stirling

Over the past two days, we’ve explored how creativity flourishes in community - now, it’s time to turn that energy inward. This closing keynote is an invitation to step into the Power of One: the version of you who’s fearless, fulfilled,  and free from comparison 

Through coaching reflections, interactive exercises, and guided visualisation, Kate Stirling will empower you to integrate everything you’ve experienced at SISTALAND, strengthening your unique creative identity, self trust and uncovering how to carry it forward with conviction.

Grounded in the belief that rest and being well resourced is resistance, this session offers both reflection and restoration - a powerful pause to reconnect with yourself before re-entering the world, daring to be seen unapologetically as your full self. You’ll leave not only inspired, but recharged, confident, and ready to sustain your creativity, wellbeing, and success that feels as good as it looks on your own terms.

About Kate

Kate Stirling is a leading High Performance and Mindset Coach with over 24 years’ experience empowering ambitious creatives, solopreneurs, founders, actors and leaders to thrive. An ICF Life Coach and NLP Master Practitioner she has coached thousands of individuals, helping high achievers turn vision into reality with courage, clarity, and confidence. Having overcome divorce, depression, burnout and a later in life ADHD diagnosis prompted by becoming a Mum, Kate brings a deeply holistic, honest and human approach to success - one that redefines power, leadership, and wealth through authenticity, fulfilment, creativity and purpose.

Her 360° approach blends mindset, wellbeing, and performance to enhance self-belief, mental resilience, self expression, health, energy and magnetic presence. Also a professional actor, Kate integrates tools from performance and psychology to help you command rooms, navigate pressure and lead with autonomy. She is kept on her toes by her toddler, is the founder of Club Thrive, a pioneering community, platform and movement for ambitious creative women, and hosts Club Thrive: The Podcast doing what she can to help you plug the gaps between where you are today to where you want to be tomorrow, and beyond.

Access Coordinators Demystified with Abbie Hills

Workshop (60mins) and Q&A.

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.

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).

Lu Featherstone - better known as Lu in Luland is a self-love activist, confidence coach, and the unapologetic founder of the Zero Fucks Club. After walking away from corporate life and a 20-year marriage, Lu hit the road in her iconic pink bus to spark conversations about body image, sexuality, and self-acceptance. Her work blends humour, honesty, and radical vulnerability to help women of all ages rediscover their power and live life on their own terms. Whether she’s hosting workshops, creating community online, or turning up the volume on midlife joy, Lu is rewriting what it means to be confident, free, and gloriously human.

Sara Jane Maxwell - Certified Financial Coach, ICF Professional Coach PCC accredited, qualified Financial Planner, ETF practitioner and Founder of Wealth Coach. Passionate to inject colour and energy into the grey of finances. Empowering individuals, couples, groups and businesses to find the joy in connecting to their money and future. Drawing on 20+ years experience in the Financial services industry, to engage and transform the relationship with money.

Lotte Johnson - With over 20 years’ experience in the arts, Lotte is a Creative Strategist and Coach on a mission to empower artists to rebel against the status quo. Having spent 15 years as a theatre director, writer, and acting tutor at leading London drama schools, she now works with actors, filmmakers, multidisciplinary artists, producers, and founders to help them reframe their relationship with creativity, success, and funding. Her work centres on energetics - the idea that wellness and alignment are the most powerful tools for collaboration, opportunity, and creative longevity. 

This is a rally cry for healthier boundaries, creative sustainability, and saying no without guilt.

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 – 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.

Sonia Wargacka
Bristol-based production coordinator, producer and activist whose credits span global TV hits like Sex Education (Netflix), Industry (BBC/HBO), and His Dark Materials (BBC/HBO). Alongside prestige drama, she champions stories with impact - producing award-winning projects like the documentary Rave On for the Avon, the horror short Hungry Joe, and What Was She Wearing?, a film tackling sexual harassment in schools. In 2018 she a global social impact video company, creating films across five continents for organisations driving positive change. With a Master’s in Humanitarianism, Conflict and Development, Sonia blends storytelling with activism to entertain, challenge, and inspire.

Cicely Walmsley
For 3 years Cicely has worked as a producer at Bristol based production company Latent Pictures, which focuses on diversifying the HETV and Film industry. Cicely has produced the EPK for three seasons of Boarders (BBC), and more recently The Forsytes (PBS). She's currently producing her first short film, titled 'Why You Shouldn't Date In Bristol'.

Rosa Powloski

This session is both a rallying cry and a roadmap - because representation isn’t a box to tick, it’s the future of culture.

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.

Self Love Unleashed: The Show

Show (60mins)

Part comedy. Part tragedy. Mostly empowering.

At Self Love Unleashed, Lu Featherstone (aka Luinluland) throws open her heart and throws out the rule book. Join her for a bold one-woman performance that weaves her journey from vicar’s daughter to wild road trip, motherhood, heartbreak, reinvention—and ultimate liberation.

Expect laughter, tears, raw truth, and badass moments. She’ll share stories like The Tale of the Dickpic that changed everything, a 6,000-mile adventure across America in her vintage bus “Susie,” and how she finally said “fuck the rules” and reclaimed her power.

You’ll leave challenged, inspired, liberated—and giving a lot fewer fucks.

Why come?

• To witness a fierce, honest, take-no-prisoners story of self-love

• To shake off shame, embrace your full voice, and lean into radical self-acceptance

• To be part of a community that says “fuck the rule book”

• To remember you’re not alone—and it’s never too late to become wild, bold, free

You can also catch Lu as she joins as a panel speaker for the session The Power of No - @3pm 12/11

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.

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.

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.

Hollie Abbott - Hollie is a business-winning TV development specialist, with a proven track record of landing commissions across leading production companies including Boom/ITV Studios, Zinc Media, Firecracker, Keshet, and STV. Known for her sharp creative instincts and strategic approach, she’s helped shape and sell standout factual and entertainment formats across the UK market. She is also the Founder of Awkward Studios, a new creative venture focused on telling original stories with heart, humour, and bite.

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

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.