Focus, the end-of-year meeting place for the international production community, returns Dec. 10 to 11 in London. The 10th edition remains free to attend for industry professionals and gathers thousands of attendees across film, TV, advertising, animation, games and XR.
“Last year was our biggest event by quite a margin,” says Jean-Frederic Garcia, managing director of Focus. “What we managed to do was to increase not only the numbers but, according to a post-conference survey, also increase the satisfaction. I am pleased to say the 10th edition will be the biggest we’ve ever done.”
This year’s edition sees some changes in format, including the distribution of talks and sessions across targeted stages to further hone discussions and help attendees find the sessions best suited to their needs. The three stages are named Business & Leadership, Craft & Creativity and Tech & Innovation. Focus is also introducing “In Brief,” a new format consisting of 10-minute presentations on topics like new technologies and traditional crafts.
“A priority for us is the quality of attendance. We have deployed resources to it,” Garcia says, adding that accreditation will be closely controlled to maintain standards. “We want to make sure that people coming to the show feel taken care of.”
Among highlights are the British Film Commission’s locations masterclass on “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” Jason Solomons’ conversation with “True Detective” producer Sam Breckman, and an in-depth lecture on AI through an examination of Robert Zemeckis’ “Here,” titled “Generation AI Is ‘Here’: The Science and Art Behind Robert Zemeckis’ Groundbreaking Feature.”
If last year’s conference focused on the overarching theme of AI, Garcia says this year sees special attention paid to adaptability and flexibility. “If you look at the way our sessions are structured, they are either about adaptability to a new world — be it new funding avenues or audience sustainability — and flexibility, because there is a great need for malleability in this day and age.”
Still, AI continues to be the topic of great discussion, with Garcia stating Focus wants to think about “harnessing AI to create a balance with traditional craft.” He adds: “It’s been a very difficult year and a half but it made us realize how resilient the industry is. Our industry is adaptable and can reinvent itself. We need to look at the future and think of where things might go.”
Elsewhere, Garcia is proud to have made strides with the participation of U.K. studios, having significantly upped their presence at the conference, and the arrival of new countries taking part at Focus this year. “Japan is coming and so are Hungary and Tunisia. The pool expansion is great.”
“I’m looking forward to the conference this year because of all the changes we’ve made,” he concludes. “We have honed our focus on the three pillars of conference, exhibition and networking, and have truly nurtured the possibilities of connection.”
