In June, FACT welcomed more than 60 leaders from across the film and screen sector for an evening of conversation about the future of film in Liverpool.

The event brought together an extraordinary mix of voices, including representatives from the BFI, Film Hub North, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, filmmakers, producers, exhibitors, artists, educators, community organisations and independent cinemas. The conversations formed part of our ongoing thinking about the future of cinema at FACT, while remaining firmly rooted in our mission to enrich lives and shape futures through film, art and creative technology.

We were delighted to open the evening with a conversation between FACT Director and CEO Nicola Triscott and Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram. Nicola set the context for the evening by reflecting on Liverpool City Region's growing ambitions across film, games, creative technology and digital culture, and the contribution cultural organisations can make by connecting talent, supporting artists and creating opportunities for audiences. She reflected on FACT's unique position at the intersection of film, art and creative technology, and how bringing together talent development, artistic practice and exhibition can strengthen the city's wider screen ecology.

Building on this, Steve spoke passionately about the role culture plays in the city's future, emphasising the importance of keeping social and economic value circulating locally. As he explained, when investment, opportunities and creativity remain within the city region, they generate broader benefits for communities, careers and civic pride. That principle became a thread running throughout the discussions that followed.

Across five industry-led roundtable discussions, participants explored every stage of Liverpool's film ecosystem:

• Making Films and Supporting Production - hosted by Roy Boulter (Hurricane Films)
• Supporting Talent Development - hosted by Barrington Paul Robinson (Redbag Pictures), Ryan Whittingham and Joe Hird (Let's Make Films)
• Developing Audiences for Film - hosted by Jason Wood (BFI)
• Cinema Programming - hosted by Nicky Beaumont (Film Exhibition Consultant)
• Inclusivity and Representation of Diverse Talent - hosted by Jernice Easthope and Maurice Bessman

While each conversation focused on different challenges, a consistent picture emerged. Rather than viewing filmmaking, talent development, exhibition, and audience engagement as separate activities, participants emphasised the need for a more connected ecosystem. An ecosystem where inspiration leads to learning, learning develops into production, production finds audiences, and those audiences inspire the next generation of filmmakers and artists. A system where organisations collaborate rather than compete, building clear pathways that allow people to develop careers without feeling they have to leave Liverpool to do so.

There was also widespread agreement that independent cinema plays an increasingly vital role. At a time when audiences can access almost any film at home, people increasingly value experiences they can't recreate elsewhere: shared moments, conversations with filmmakers, community, discovery and a sense of belonging. A cinema becomes more than somewhere to watch films; it becomes a cultural meeting place.

Many participants also reflected on the importance of making those opportunities genuinely accessible. Affordability, representation, a warm welcome and taking activity beyond the city centre were all recognised as essential if Liverpool's screen culture is to reflect the diversity, creativity and ambition of the communities it serves.

Another recurring theme was FACT's unique ability to bring together different creative disciplines. By bringing together film, contemporary art, immersive experiences, and games under one roof, participants saw the potential to foster richer connections between audiences, artists, and ideas. Rather than treating these art forms separately, many reflected on how they could inform one another, creating cultural experiences that could only happen in Liverpool.

Throughout the evening, one thing became abundantly clear: collaboration is essential. The event brought together people who are already shaping film culture across the region, and the discussions repeatedly returned to the value of partnership, shared ambition and building on the strengths that already exist.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed their ideas and experience. The conversations have already begun to shape our next steps and reaffirmed something we have long believed: Liverpool has the talent, creativity and ambition to build a thriving future for film. This event was just the beginning of that conversation, and we look forward to continuing it together.