04 Mar 25
We're thrilled to announce our launch of an exciting new industry event, Picturehouse Create, in April 2025.
The event seeks to inspire and connect creatives through screenings, masterclasses, panel discussions, intimate networking and meeting opportunities, plus social events.
The inaugural event will run April 3-5 at Picturehouse Central, our flagship seven-screen cinema in Piccadilly Circus, London.
Picturehouse Create seeks to connect the wider creative community with the world of independent filmmaking. No prior experience in filmmaking is necessary to attend, and attendees can expect to meet and learn from guests in the worlds of film distribution, finance, production and exhibition, as well as writers, directors, cinematographers, designers, curators, executives, and more.
On April 3, Harris Dickinson will present a screening of Paul Thomas Anderson's Punch-Drunk Love (2002), followed by an in-depth conversation about how that film has influenced his own work, including moving from acting in such acclaimed titles as Scrapper, Triangle of Sadness and Babygirl and now directing his first feature, Urchin, which will premiere later in 2025.
Acclaimed costume designer Sandy Powell will look back at her work in Todd Haynes' Velvet Goldmine (1998) on April 5 with a screening followed by an in-depth conversation about her career highlights, which also includes working on award-winning films such as Gangs of New York, The Aviator, Carol, The Favourite and Shakespeare in Love.
Other sessions planned during the three-day event include a short film competition screening; speed meetings with leading talent agents; 'boot camp' short, practical masterclasses on topics ranging from audience development to film finance to working with virtual reality; a panel examining producers' lessons learned; a talk on how to navigate careers that cross multiple sectors (theatre, film, TV and advertising); a live pitching panel with instant feedback from industry experts; and intimate networking brunches and lively happy hours.
Other speakers already confirmed across the three days include filmmakers Desiree Akhavan, Rachel Ramsay and Paris Zarcilla; producers Nicky Bentham, Mary Burke, Sarah Brocklehurst, Natasha Dack Ojumu, Mike Goodridge, Elizabeth Karlsen, Afolabi Kuti, Fiona Lamptey and Bennett McGhee; screenwriter Line Langebek; and more industry experts including Bobby Allen from MUBI; Anthony Andrews from We Are Parable; Katie Bignell from Festival Formula; Kristian Brodie from Curzon; Phil Canning from Universal Music Group; Katie Ellen from Hanway Films; Eve Gabereau from Vue Lumiere; Franki Goodwin from Saatchi & Saatchi; Karina Gechtman from Anton Corp; Kristy Matheson from BFI London Film Festival and BFI Flare; Ashanti McIntosh from StudioCanal; Christos Michaels from Lee & Thompson; Nish Panchal from Curtis Brown; Paul Ridd from Edinburgh International Film Festival; Danny Perkins from Elysian Film Group; Peter Spencer from Searchlight Pictures; Jack Thomas from Independent Talent; Alison Thompson from Cornerstone; and Denitsa Yordanova from the UK Global Screen Fund. Dozens more speakers will be unveiled in coming weeks.
The jury for the inaugural short film competition will feature Nowness Managing Director Gavin Humphries; script editor Kate Leys; and presenter, actor and writer/director Reggie Yates (Pirates). The winner will be unveiled after the special screening on Saturday 5 April.
Access to all Picturehouse Create events will be exclusively for passholders (no individual event tickets will be sold – except for the public screening of short films).
Passes are on sale now, at the Early Bird Price of £125. From 7 March, Pass prices will be £185.
The number of passes sold is capped to protect the intimate nature of the event - book early to avoid disappointment!
We're excited to continue our collaboration with festival producer Wendy Mitchell and festival manager Storm Patterson, who have worked on Sundance Film Festival: London with for the past three years. By mutual decision between Picturehouse and Sundance Institute, Sundance London will not be running in 2025.
"At Picturehouse, we love the opportunity to bring creative people together to celebrate filmmaking, learn new skills and make new connections. We wanted to launch Picturehouse Create to inspire the filmmakers of today and tomorrow and bring London's creative communities together in a meaningful way."
Clare Binns, Managing Director of Picturehouse
"We hope to serve the creative community in a truly connected way with this new event that we think offers something different for the UK film industry. We want to foster those real-life conversations and connections that are so valuable for a range of creative disciplines."
Wendy Mitchell, festival producer at Picturehouse Create
Stay tuned for further announcements including our full line-up, special guests, and much more.
The May Fair Hotel is the official hotel partner of Picturehouse Create.
