Surviving the Freelancer Squeeze

14 May 2026
Keynote Theatre
Keynote

We are consuming more content than ever — across streamers, social platforms, podcasts and FAST channels — yet film and TV freelancers are facing one of the toughest job markets in recent memory. Why?

In this candid and solutions-focused panel, industry leaders and working freelancers unpack the commissioning slowdown, shifting budgets, platform economics and the impact of industry disruption.

More importantly, this session provides actionable strategies:

How do you diversify income without diluting your brand?

What skills are in demand right now?

How can freelancers reposition for branded content, sport, digital, YouTube or corporate production?

And what does recovery realistically look like?

This is not a doom session. It’s a roadmap session.

Chairperson
Rebecca Cooney
Rebecca Cooney, Insight Editor - Broadcast
Speakers
Chloe Dean
Chloe Dean, Senior Post Production Manager - Click Post Production Ltd
James Taylor-Tovey
James Taylor-Tovey, Project Director - Action for Freelancers
Laura Mansfield
Laura Mansfield, CEO - ScreenSkills

Sponsored by:


ScreenSkills