Written by Shona Smith on Dec 18, 2019. Posted in General Interest

FOCUS 2019 Reports Record Growth

FOCUS, the meeting place for international production saw a 30% increase in footfall on the previous year, and record growth for its fifth edition. Taking place on the 3 & 4 December in London, the successful show rounds up a great 2019 for The Location Guide which has seen two editions of makers published, and the launch of the makers & shakers Awards to celebrate excellence in global production.

FOCUS 2019 saw record attendance and exhibiting figures, an expanded conference programme, plus a range of international networking events that combined to make a highly successful event. Over 3400 professionals – including visitors, exhibitors and international delegations from all sectors of the creative screen industries and over eighty countries packed the Business Design Centre in Islington, over the two days.

FOCUS Managing Director Jean-Frederic Garcia said “We are thrilled that FOCUS has once again welcomed even more delegates and exhibitors, from all sectors of the creative screen industries, who enjoyed an intense two days of meetings, networking and an inspiring conference programme. Many thanks to the CAB, all our speakers, exhibitors, partners and sponsors and we look forward to seeing everyone again for FOCUS 2020”.

FOCUS 2019 saw growth throughout its offering including the number of exhibiting companies which rose to 271, up from 244 in 2018. These included international film commissions, agencies, location providers and production service companies. offering production solutions for all types of projects. The 2019 event also saw a significant increase in post-production providers and representation from new sectors including casting and travel agencies. New territories exhibiting for the first time included Bahamas, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Faroe Islands, Ireland, Latvia, Mongolia, Montenegro, Panama, Philippines, Slovakia, South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey and Uzbekistan.

The FOCUS Green Zone continued to grow in 2019, showcasing a roster of eco-friendly companies and dedicated training sessions at a space age themed area built by Dresd created a space age themes environment from reclaimed film and TV set dressing.

The conference programme with the overarching theme “Forces of Change – What’s Next?” saw seventy-six keynotes, panels, workshops and presentations feature over two hundred industry leaders, an increase of 25% on the 2018 conference. Speakers included Anna Godas CEO, Dogwoof , El Suliman, Lead Animator, MPC, Eric Carney, CTO The Third Floor, Finola Dwyer Producer, Wildgaze Films, Jack Attridge Creative Director, Flavourworks, Jonathan Stadlen MD Knickerbockerglory, Julie Clark Head of Production, Scripted, Studio Lambert, Karen Kelly Executive Producer, Channel 4, Kayvan Mashayekh Co Chairman, International Committee PGA, Lizzie Gillett Producer, Passion Pictures, Melissa Silverstein Founder, Women and Hollywood, Nick Smith Executive VP, Formats, all3media. The content is curated by Sue Hayes and presented in association with media partner Variety. Production Service Network was the new content sponsor for FOCUS 2019. See the full list of speakers here.

For the first time, FOCUS collaborated with straight 8, hosting the premiere screening of the shootout online #2.

Twenty-eight receptions, parties and happy hours took place at FOCUS. This included new initiatives such as the producer meet-and-greets in association with the Producers Guild of America at the Fresco Film Producers Lounge as well as returning events such as the Location Managers Drinks, the Advertising Producers Association Christmas Party and the Producers Brunch in association with Variety.

The event culminated with a special event at BAFTA to launch the makers and shakers awards, celebrating excellence in global production, presented by makers magazine, The Location Guide and FOCUS, in association with Equals.

FOCUS The Meeting Place for International Production returns to the Business Design Centre, Islington, London on 8/9 December 2020 for the sixth edition. More info at tlgfocus.com.

From the team at The Location Guide and FOCUS we wish you all a merry Christmas and look forward to the new year.

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