From Passion to Profession: Leeds Creative Futures Day 2025 in Review
By MetFilm School, Leeds
24 February 2025
Love was certainly in the air at Prime Studios this Valentine’s Day, as students at our Leeds campus were treated to an exclusive MetFilm School event packed with insightful panels, guest speakers, and networking opportunities for our latest Creative Futures Day.
A raft of big names from across the creative industries joined us to offer expert knowledge and practical advice to students taking their first steps into their careers. And if that’s not better than a bunch of petrol station carnations for Valentine’s, we don’t know what is!
From acting insights and freelancing tips to the realities of working in scripted and unscripted television, Leeds Creative Futures Day covered a range of topics essential to budding filmmakers and creatives. Let’s take a look at the highlights.
Creative Futures Day Panel Highlights
Advice & Anecdotes from the Acting World
Moderated by co-Course Leader for BA (Hons) Acting for Screen, Kate Chappell, this session featured actor Ryan Clayton, casting director Ezra Tren-Humphries, and agent Daisy Francis. The panel provided essential insights into navigating the acting industry, including the evolving role of self-tapes, building relationships with casting directors, and developing the soft skills necessary for success.
“I loved this,” said BA (Hons) Acting for Screen student, Viktoria. “I learnt more about how the acting world works. Hearing the panel’s experiences was so fascinating.”
More about Ryan Clayton | Ezra Tren-Humphries | Daisy Francis
Seeking Opportunities & Top Freelancer Tips
Freelancing is par for the course for a lot of screen professionals – so this session, led by MA Screenwriting Course Leader Jacob Mulgrew, was described by MA student Yara Gharios as “the highlight of the day”.
Jacob was joined by experts Sonny Hanley from ITV Academy, Senior Talent Development Executive Jo Schofield, Fanny Kerekes from Channel 4 4Skills, and Creative Producer Beth Hewitt. They shared freelancing tips, highlighted job opportunities, and explored networking strategies to help our students navigate the creative industries successfully. Sonny Hanley described the session as “easily one of the most engaging panels I have been a part of”.
More about Sonny Hanley | Jo Schofield | Beth Hewitt | Fanny Kerekes
Screen Yorkshire Overview with Richard Knight
Screen Yorkshire’s Richard Knight introduced our students to the range of local opportunities available in Leeds’ TV and film industry. Richard highlighted the extensive work in place to bring large-scale productions to Yorkshire, and gave inside tips on often-overlooked career paths behind the scenes.
Setting Goals as an Actor with Rob Ostlere
The one and only Rob Ostlere of Game of Thrones fame (and now MetFilm Careers Manager) joined us virtually to offer his advice on taking a strategic outlook to goal setting, looking for your preferred roles, and defining personal success as an actor.
Scripted & Unscripted in the North
BA (Hons) Content, Media and Film Course Leader Casy Shaw spoke with some of the finest creatives from scripted and unscripted television in the North of England. Speakers included screenwriter and actor Kat Rose-Martin, producer Diva Rodriguez, Screen Yorkshire’s Richard Knight, Production Manager at Daisybeck Studios Georgia Ball, and Tell Studios’ Owen Seabrook.
The panel discussed representation in the industry, and the value of fully embracing being yourself in the world of Production. We also heard about many of the great productions coming out of the Leeds area, inspiring students to seek out the opportunities on their doorstep. Student Holly Ratcliffe described this as her “favourite session of the day”.
More about Kat Rose-Martin | Diva Rodriguez | Georgia Ball | Owen Seabrook
In Conversation with Helen Bullough at WFTV
Kate Chappell moderated the final discussion of the day featured Helen Bullough, a mentoring producer at Women in Film & TV (WFTV). Helen shared insight on the vital work WFTV is doing to support women in the industry, shared key research and statistics, and her own experiences in television that she channelled into becoming a mentor for others.
Student Theo Powell-Howard said that Helen “came across brilliantly and had some alternative advice and experiences. As a man, it was interesting to hear what I could do to make the film industry a better place to work for wormen”.
Networking and Career Development
Level 5, Level 6, and MA students concluded the day with an exclusive networking session with industry professionals, fellow creatives, and potential collaborators.
Our key takeaways
Leeds Creative Futures Day proved to be an unmissable event for the aspiring actors, filmmakers, producers, and creative professionals studying at MetFilm School Leeds. The insights, advice, and networking opportunities offered our students valuable knowledge, new contacts, and a deeper understanding of the practicalities of building a career in the creative industries.
The feedback from students indicated that the event was a roaring success, describing it as “enjoyable, honest, and really useful” and “well organised … with some important takeaways”. Others praised the great atmosphere, the interesting and helpful tips from the industry experts who joined us, and expressed how much they’re looking forward to next year’s event.
The perfect Valentine’s Day all around – and not a petrol station carnation in sight!
