Creative Cities Convention
Creative Cities Convention is a UK not-for-profit that runs an annual rotating two-day convention for film, TV, and digital content professionals outside London, plus a Skills Summit for freelancers and emerging talent, funded by delegate tickets and broadcaster sponsorships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersLiverpool, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Creative Cities Convention does
Creative Cities Convention (CCC) is a UK not-for-profit that organises an annual two-day convention for film, television, and digital content professionals based outside London. Founded in 2018 by Ruth Pitt (now Advisory Chair) and John McVay (CEO of PACT), the event rotates to a different UK city each year — Leeds, Cardiff, Birmingham, Newcastle, Bristol, Bradford, and Liverpool through 2026 — and brings together producers, distributors, broadcasters, and commissioners for panel sessions, keynotes, screenings, commissioner meetings, and networking. Core products include the Main Conference, the Skills Summit (launched 2025) for mid-career freelancers and emerging talent, the Meet the Commissioners one-to-one programme, Channel 4 Masterclasses, and the CCC-Clapperboard Studios paid internship.
The business is supported by five core stakeholders — BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Paramount, and PACT — alongside headline Skills Summit partners including Prime Video, ScreenSkills, 4Skills, and Lime Pictures. Revenue is generated through delegate ticket sales (Skills Summit freelancer day tickets from £20; main conference pricing not publicly disclosed) and corporate sponsorship/partnerships. The registered office is in London, the 2026 event was hosted in Liverpool at Camp & Furnace in the Baltic Triangle, and the operating team is small (1-10 employees) led by Executive Director Lisa Campbell. Scale signals include 400+ delegates, 65+ speakers, and approximately 500 total attendees across both programmes at the 2026 Liverpool event, up from the inaugural 2018 Leeds edition.
There is no proprietary technology platform underpinning the business — CCC is an events/conference operator. Distribution runs through the company's website, Eventbrite ticketing, email newsletters via Mailchimp, and social channels (X, LinkedIn, Instagram), supplemented by promotion through core stakeholders and regional partners such as Screen Yorkshire and the Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership.
Creative Cities Convention firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Creative Cities Convention
- Legal name
- Creative Cities Convention Ltd
- Website
- https://creativecitiesconvention.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Creative Cities Convention is a UK not-for-profit that runs an annual rotating two-day convention for film, TV, and digital content professionals outside London, plus a Skills Summit for freelancers and emerging talent, funded by delegate tickets and broadcaster sponsorships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Creative Cities Convention industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Film and Television Industry Conferences
- NAICS
- Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Professional & Association Conferences (MPAGAGAB)
Keywords
Where Creative Cities Convention is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Liverpool
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Creative Cities Convention business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from delegate tickets to the annual convention and Skills Summit events. Skills Summit freelancer day tickets start at £20.
- Sponsorship and Partnership: Corporate sponsors and industry partners support the event, including headline partners like Prime Video, ScreenSkills, and 4Skills for the Skills Summit.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Skills Summit Freelancer Day Ticket |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Creative Cities Convention product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Creative Cities Convention is an annual two-day conference that travels to a different UK city each year, bringing together producers, distributors, broadcasters, and creative professionals working in film, television, and digital content outside London. The event features panel sessions, keynotes, screenings, commissioner meetings, and networking activities, supported by a parallel Skills Summit for freelancers and emerging talent. It is backed by major UK broadcasters (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Paramount) and PACT as core stakeholders.
Product overview
Creative Cities Convention is an annual not-for-profit conference dedicated to professionals making film, TV, and digital content outside London. The core offering is the two-day main convention featuring panel sessions, keynotes, screenings, commissioner meetings, and networking events. The event travels to a different UK city each year. Supporting offerings include the Skills Summit (hands-on training for freelancers and emerging talent), Meet the Commissioners Programme (one-to-one sessions with UK broadcasters), Channel 4 Masterclasses, and the CCC-Clapperboard Studios Internship programme for early-career professionals. Founded in 2018, CCC is backed by BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Paramount, and PACT.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Creative Cities Convention (Main Conference) Annual two-day conference bringing together producers and distributors in film, television, and digital media outside London. Features panel sessions, keynotes, screenings, commissioner meetings, and networking events.
- Skills Summit Two-day industry event supporting mid-level career freelancers and new entrants with hands-on training, expert panels with industry figures, and networking opportunities with UK creative sector decision-makers.
- Meet the Commissioners Programme One-to-one access programme allowing delegates to meet gatekeepers of UK broadcasting for commissioner meetings and pitch sessions.
- Channel 4 Masterclasses Exclusive masterclasses offered to CCC ticket holders featuring Channel 4 commissioning editors covering topics such as digital branded entertainment and regional commissioning.
- CCC-Clapperboard Studios Internship Paid internship programme offering month-long placement at Clapperboard Studios' scripted development team, with travel and accommodation covered, focused on developing pitches for network commissioners.
Companies that use Creative Cities Convention
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Creative Cities Convention technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Creative Cities Convention partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered joint headline, host city partner, sponsoring partner, major, delivery partner, regional partner, associate partner, core, supporting and skills partner.
- Lime Picturesjoint headlineJoint Skills Summit Headline Partner for 2026. Liverpool-based production company providing expert panels and training support.
- Liverpool City Region Destination Partnershiphost city partnerSupporting Liverpool 2026 event as host city partner, promoting the region as a destination for creative industries.
- Liverpool Football Club Foundationsponsoring partnerSponsor of inaugural CCC Champions Awards at Liverpool 2026 event.
- Prime Video (Amazon)majorHeadline partner for Skills Summit 2025 and 2026. Committed £10 million over past three years to support freelancers. Supports Pathways schemes including Grierson Archive Producer Scheme and Diverse Directors.
- ScreenSkillsmajorHeadline partner for Skills Summit 2025. Provides free online training, short courses, and longer programmes to help upskill professionals in the screen industries.
- 4Skills (Channel 4)majorHeadline partner for Skills Summit 2025. Channel 4's skills initiative supporting training and development for emerging talent.
- National Film and Television School (NFTS) Leedsdelivery partnerCCC delivery partner for Skills Summit 2025. Provides AI tips sessions and launched AI for Film and TV course at the event.
- ITV Academydelivery partnerCCC delivery partner supporting Skills Summit with training and industry expertise.
- BAFTA albertdelivery partnerCCC delivery partner for Skills Summit 2025, providing sustainability training certification.
- Screen Yorkshireregional partnerRegional screen industries development agency, delivery partner for Bradford 2025 event.
- Bradford UK City of Culture 2025host city partnerHost city partnership for 2025 convention held during Bradford's UK City of Culture celebrations.
- Sky Entertainmentassociate partnerSkills Summit Associate Partner for 2026, supporting skill development initiatives.
- BBCcoreCore stakeholder of Creative Cities Convention. BBC provides support and participation as one of the founding industry partners backing the annual conference and related events.
- ITVcoreCore stakeholder of Creative Cities Convention. ITV supports the convention as one of the major UK broadcasters backing regional screen industry development.
- Channel 4coreCore stakeholder providing funding support including 4Skills programme for Skills Summit. Channel 4 offers masterclasses and participates in commissioner meetings at the convention.
- ParamountcoreCore stakeholder representing Channel 5, participating in convention activities and supporting regional creative industry growth.
- PactcoreCore stakeholder - the UK's leading Trade Association for Film, TV, Animation, Children's and Digital production companies. Co-founded by John McVay OBE.
- UKTVsupportingPartner organization supporting Creative Cities Convention alongside core stakeholders.
- BanijaysupportingPartner organization supporting Creative Cities Convention.
- Clapperboard Studiosskills partnerPartnership with Clapperboard Studios to deliver paid internship programme for young people from host cities. Managing Director Mike Benson, originally from Bradford, delivers internship in development team.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Creative Cities Convention competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- PACT (Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television): PACT is the UK trade association for independent film, TV, animation, and digital production companies. It is a core stakeholder and co-founder of CCC rather than a direct competitor, but comparable as a screen industry convening body running its own events, training, and policy work.
- ScreenSkills: ScreenSkills is the UK industry skills body for the screen sectors, providing training, bursaries, and workforce development. Comparable to CCC as a Skills Summit headline partner and overlapping audience for freelancer upskilling, though its core offering is structured training rather than a single annual gathering.
Direct peers
- Content London: Content London is an annual international TV and content production conference hosted by Screen International, featuring commissioner sessions, content showcases, and co-production matchmaking. It competes for the same UK/international commissioner audience that CCC serves through its Meet the Commissioners programme.
- Sheffield DocFest: Sheffield DocFest (now rebranded) is a major UK festival and market for documentary and non-fiction content, hosting screenings, sessions, and industry meet-ups. It is comparable to CCC as a regional-UK screen industry gathering serving producers, commissioners, and creators outside London.
- Edinburgh International Television Festival: The Edinburgh TV Festival is the UK's longest-running annual TV industry conference, featuring keynotes, masterclasses, and networking for the screen sector. It is the most direct peer to CCC in terms of audience (broadcast/TV professionals) and format (annual conference with commissioners and programming talent), though it is London/Edinburgh-focused rather than regionally rotating.
- Royal Television Society (RTS) Events: The RTS runs a national calendar of industry events, lectures, and awards for UK television professionals across regional centres. It is comparable to CCC as a multi-region professional screen industry convening body, with overlapping speaker and attendee pools.
Regional players
- Canneseries (Cannes International Series Festival): Canneseries is an annual international TV series festival running alongside MIPCOM in Cannes, with premieres, competitions, and industry sessions. Comparable to CCC as a curated TV/screen industry event with commissioner and producer audiences, but operating internationally rather than regionally within the UK.
- Series Mania Festival: Series Mania is one of Europe's leading TV series festivals, held annually in Lille, France, featuring competition, forums, and a co-production platform. Comparable to CCC as an international TV/screen industry gathering with commissioner participation, though at larger scale and continental European focus.
Broad incumbents
- BFI London Film Festival: The BFI London Film Festival is a flagship UK screen industry event featuring screenings, industry sessions, and talent development. Comparable to CCC as a UK-based screen industry gathering, but operates at much larger scale and with a London/global rather than regional-rotation focus.
- BAFTA (Industry Events & Masterclasses): BAFTA runs an extensive slate of industry events, masterclasses, awards, and learning programmes across film, TV, and games. It is comparable to CCC as a screen industry convening organization but operates at much greater scale and with a London/global footprint rather than regional-rotation focus.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Creative Cities Convention social profiles
Digital presenceCreative Cities Convention financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Creative Cities Convention leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Creative Cities Convention funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Creative Cities Convention M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Creative Cities Convention
What does Creative Cities Convention do?
Creative Cities Convention is an annual two-day conference that travels to a different UK city each year, bringing together producers, distributors, broadcasters, and creative professionals working in film, television, and digital content outside London. The event features panel sessions, keynotes, screenings, commissioner meetings, and networking activities, supported by a parallel Skills Summit for freelancers and emerging talent. It is backed by major UK broadcasters (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Paramount) and PACT as core stakeholders.
Is Creative Cities Convention a public or private company?
Creative Cities Convention is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Creative Cities Convention founded?
Creative Cities Convention was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Creative Cities Convention based?
Creative Cities Convention is headquartered in Liverpool, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Creative Cities Convention make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are sponsorship and Partnership.
Who are Creative Cities Convention's main competitors?
Others on record are PACT (Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television) and ScreenSkills. Direct peers are Content London, Sheffield DocFest, Edinburgh International Television Festival and Royal Television Society (RTS) Events. Regional players are Canneseries (Cannes International Series Festival) and Series Mania Festival. Broad incumbents are BFI London Film Festival and BAFTA (Industry Events & Masterclasses).
Does Creative Cities Convention have an API?
No public API is recorded for Creative Cities Convention.
What industry is Creative Cities Convention in?
Creative Cities Convention's product category is Film and Television Industry Conferences. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHACAA, Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies), with a secondary code of MPAGAGAB, Professional & Association Conferences. Its NAICS code is 56192 and its SIC code is 7990.