Festival of Media Stories Full Day Ticket

We're delighted to announce an exciting programme for our inaugural Festival of Media Stories. The festival takes place at University of Leicester in our Attenborough Film Theatre, Friday 13th September 2024

Our first event will welcome big names to the City of Leicester, and will include workshops and screenings.

Experience stories from various media angles including Film, VR, Animation, TV and Advertising. Listen to experts in their field talk about the power of stories and immerse yourself in our official selection screenings.

Including guest speakers

Vincenzo Natlai, John Yorke, Matt George Lovett & Samuel Ducess, Steff Lee & Bella Tomlinson, Film Leicester and Lucy Hayto.

Vincenzo Natali:

Natali is best known for such major productions as Splice (2009), Haunter, (2013), In the Tall Grass (2019), his recent contribution to Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities entitled “Graveyard Rats” (2022), and his break-out sci-fi cult classic Cube (1997) which was recently re-made by Shochiku Productions in Japan. However, Natali also maintains a significant corpus of storyboard contributions and other short and/or experimental films such as Elevated (1996), Paris, Je-t’aime (2006), U is for Utopia, episodes of Earth: Final Conflict (1998), Psi Factor (1998), Hannibal (2014-2015), Westworld (2016-2018), and The Peripheral (2022), amongst others. Following a survey of his experiences in the production of such media stories will be a screening of his directorial contribution to the Darknet series (2013) which he co-produced with long-time collaborator Steve Hoban and a cast of other new associates.

John Yorke

He has spent years analysing not just how stories work but why they resonate with audiences around the globe, and his book, Into the Woods, is the UK’s bestselling book on the subject.

As former Head of Channel4 Drama, Controller of BBC Drama Production and MD of Company Pictures, John has tested his theories during an extensive production career working on some of the world’s most lucrative, widely viewed and critically acclaimed TV drama, from EastEnders to Shameless, Life on Mars and Wolf Hall.

•John founded and leads both John Yorke Story and the hugely successful BBC Studios Writers’ Academy.

•He has trained some of the most successful and prolific screenwriters working today, who have created on gone on to write for shows including The Crown, Killing Eve, Pure, Father Brown, Doctor Who, Watership Down, and Deadwater Fell. Alumni have nominations and wins for a range of awards, including an Emmy, Oscar, and BAFTA.

Matt George Lovett & Samuel Ducess

Matt George Lovett is an award-winning writer, director and musician from East London. Working primarily in children’s entertainment, Matt has worked on dozens of shows, including as head writer of Lellobee City Farm, Go Buster, Little Baby Bum and Gecko’s Garage, and has written scripts for the likes of My Magic Pet Morphle, The Sharksons, Let’s Go Cozy Coupe, and Mia’s Magic Playground. He’s also worked as a voice director and voice actor, and worked extensively on music-based kids content. Outside the kidspace, Matt is an accomplished live action writer and director. His credits include writing the critically-acclaimed sci-fi short Mariana 627, directing the thriller A Friend In Need, extensive shorts and music video work, and two novels. In his spare time, Matt enjoys film photography, and writing and performing music in the band Frontier Station.Sam: Samuel Dusucces is a versatile writer hailing from South London, known for his expertise in crafting engaging works for young audiences. Currently working at Moonbug Entertainment, Samuel has contributed to several animated series that captivate the hearts of children. His works include Little Baby Bum, Lellobee City Farm, Little Angel, and Go Buster. With his passion for writing, Sam excels in making stories that are fun and meaningful to children and adults alike.

Samuel’s journey into writing is as unique as his works. At the age of 19, he began his career through an internship with Moonbug. His talent and dedication quickly earned him a full-time position, showing his remarkable ability to break into the industry without a formal degree.Beyond animation, Sam has written poems that explore various aspects of the human condition, from neurodiversity and identity, to meaning and spirituality. He’s performed for Rain on Me’s Mental Health art gallery and recently wrote his poem Wilted Dreams for the homeless charity New Horizons Youth Centre. Although retired from poetry, Sam uses his art to blend the personal with the universal, illustrating our commonalities and fostering empathy for one another.

Steff Lee and Bella Tomlinson

Steff is co-owner of Kino Bino, Animation Director and Artist, Steff has been working in the creative industry for 16 years. As a child of a hoarder, she is keen to share her lived experienced through animation with the hope that overcoming shame and speaking out can break the stigma around the condition and invite others to seek help with their hoarding issues.

Bella is an experienced animation producer who produced ‘Bob the Builder’ for HIT Entertainment/BBC, Bella was also nominated for a Children's BAFTA for producing 'Pingu'. She has been working on productions with Kino Bino since 2020. Bella is also keen to promote and encourage women working in the animation industry.

Film Leicester & Andy Gundelach

Andy is the co-founder of Film Leicester and is passionate about supporting and collaborating with Leicesters Film community. He is the co-founder and Creative Director of Created by Ten. As a Leicester native and resident he has an ambition to make Leicester a film destination and thriving destination for filmmakers.

Lucy Hayto

Lucy Hayto is an artist and lecturer in immersive media technology focusing on participatory production in virtual reality (VR) for climate change engagement. She has a background in education and a master's in photography, where she explored using technology to depict coastal erosion in the UK. Her work reflects a passion for merging technology and education to address environmental challenges, making her a driving force in the field of immersive media and climate action.

There will also be screenings from filmmakers and an awards ceremony, followed by a networking event.

Host or Publisher Festival of Media Stories at university of Leicester