‘Conclave,’ ‘Sentimental Value’ Producers Among Expert Voices Set for BFI London Film Festival Industry Forum

The BFI London Film Festival has confirmed its slate of speakers for this year’s Industry Forum, including a spotlight conversation with Conclave producer Tessa Ross.

Ross, formerly Film4 chief, is a prolific producer in the U.K. and now serves as co-CEO of House Productions, who stormed to awards success in 2024 with Edward Berger’s Vatican drama. She will take to the LFF stage to explore the role of producers in nurturing creativity and navigating the ever-changing landscape of the international film industry.

Elsewhere, The Hollywood Reporter co-presents a panel titled “Anatomy of a Debut: Ish” about the debutfeature from Imran Perretta and producer Dhiraj Mahey that earned its world premiere at Venice Critics’ Week, where it received the People’s Choice award. At the session, writer-director Perretta will be joined by her producer Mahey and co-writer Enda Walsh for a deep dive, making-of discussion covering the film’s creative genesis, production history, and first steps into the international marketplace.

Producer of Joachim Trier’s latest family drama Sentimental Value Maria Ekerhovd will also talk on a panel about the art of international co-productions alongside Emily Morgan (Dreamers), Klaudia Śmieja-Rostworowska (Orphan) and Lorna Tee (Diamonds in the Sand). On another panel, the team of the Matt Smith-starring Sky series The Death of Bunny Munro, including director Isabella Eklöf, producer Ed Macdonald, and writer Pete Jackson will discuss the anticipated show.

Immersive, XR, and video games will be platformed in the inaugural LFF Expanded Industry Day, and discussion events on VFX, documentaries, and film festivals will explore how these sectors are looking to capitalize on opportunities and innovations: leading VFX creatives and producersfrom prestigious U.K. VFX studios Framestore, Milk, beloFX and One of Us, will discuss the art and craft of visual effects at a timely moment for the sector following the introduction of the U.K. VFX tax credit.

Senior figures from documentary production, distribution, and sales will discuss distribution strategies for non-fiction films including Stephanie Fuchs (Autlook Filmsales), Eve Gabereau (Modern Films), Luke Brawley (Indox) and Lali Madueño (Perpetua Cine).

Directors and senior programmers from international film festivals will join a conversation about how festivals are working and evolving to better support cinema and creativity, including Thomas Rosso (Cannes’ Semaine de la Critique), Jacqueline Lyanga (Berlinale), Pia Lundberg (Göteborg Film Festival), and Kristy Matheson (BFI Festivals).

Matheson, director of the BFI London Film Festival, said she is “thrilled” to have U.K. and international guests sharing their time, knowledge and experience at the Industry Forum. “As ever, our popular networking events and curated meetings will continue to foster new creative and business collaborations, and I look forward to seeing the results of these in the years to come.”

The BFI London Film Festival 2025 kicks off Wednesday, Oct. 8 with Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. See the full lineup here.