THE STAGE 32 MEETUPS

Let's Make Films - Monday 30th March

LET'S MAKE FILMS LONDON EVENT - MONDAY 30TH MARCH 6.30pm-10pm Location: BFI Riverfront - Balcony Bar, The Riverfront, London, SE1 8XT If you work in film, media, or creative production in London, join us for our March Let’s Make Films networking evening. The event is designed to bring together filmmakers, producers, writers, actors, and creatives to connect, collaborate and develop new projects. The evening includes:  • Film industry networking including speed groups • Short film project discussions • Opportunities to recruit collaborators • Elevator pitching and idea sharing We are helping to support and facilitate three short films into production and to enter the festival circuit this year. Come along to the event to hear about the projects and potential casting and crew opportunities. We'll be announcing another event for 15th April at Proposition Studios and will include multiple speakers giving talks and demonstrations, further details to come soon. To sign up for tickets, please use the following link to the Eventbrite listing: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e...

PANEL: Yes She Cannes - Women in Film Building Power

Women in Film: Building Collective Power Location: Cannes Marche du Film Main Stage in the PalaisBringing together women working across the film industry, this panel explores how each is building their own pathway to influence, from education and community to storytelling and industry leadership, offering real insight into shaping your own path in film. HOSTED BY:  YES SHE CANNES  Yes She Cannes is an organisation supporting women attending the Cannes Film Festival, delivering curated panels, events, and networking opportunities. Through its international She Squad community, it brings together creatives and industry professionals to foster connection, collaboration, and visibility during the festival. www.yesshecannes.com Partnered with: Entertainment to Affect Change Entertainment 2 Affect Change (E2AC) is a non-profit organisation producing impact-driven film, digital, and live content. It collaborates with creators and partners to develop stories that entertain, engage, educate, and inspire, supporting underserved health and social communities. https://www.e2ac.org/ MODERATOR: NAME: Faith Elizabeth TITLE: CEO & Founder of Yes She Cannes, Director/Producer of Faithful Films COUNTRY: UK  BIO: Faith Elizabeth is the Founder of Yes She Cannes, a global platform supporting women at Cannes through community, education and visibility. She is also a director and producer, currently developing her debut feature, a dark mermaid fantasy set in Italy, The Trabocchi Tails: Asrai, while her horror short Granny DJ enters its festival run. PANELISTS: NAME: Sara Hamilton TITLE:  Head of Global Partnerships & Impact Strategy, E2ACxGreenlit COUNTRY: USA BIO: Sara Hamilton is Head of Global Partnerships & Impact Strategy at E2AC x Greenlit and an award-winning producer and strategist. With 25+ years across film, media and live events, she builds international partnerships that connect creators, funders and organisations to drive commercially successful, impact-led storytelling. NAME: Guneet Monga Kapoor TITLE: CEO & Producer, Sikhya Entertainment, Founder of WIF India COUNTRY: INDIA BIO: Guneet Monga Kapoor is an Academy Award-winning producer and founder of Sikhya Entertainment. Her films, including The Lunchbox, Masaan, The Elephant Whisperers and Kill, have shaped Indian cinema globally. She also founded Women in Film India to support the next generation of producers. NAME: Maria Hundsnes-Shevtsova TITLE: Co-Founder and VP, DISAUTHORITY COUNTRY: UK BIO: Maria Hundsnes-Shevtsova is Co-Founder and VP of DISAUTHORITY, a London-based boutique post house. With a background in high-end fiction short form, she is now in post for her debut feature producing title Sticks & Stones, a supernatural thriller exploring the lasting impact of silencing women’s testimonies. NAME: Amanda Toney TITLE: Managing Director, Stage 32 COUNTRY: USA BIO: Amanda Toney is Stage 32’s Managing Director and oversees global operations and partnerships with Netflix, Bloomberg and Marché du Film. She’s produced 3,000+ hours of film education, sold shows to Amblin & USA, and worked on films including After All and Alix. A global speaker, she’s shared insights at Cannes, Venice and Harvard. NAME: Maria Soccor TITLE: Actor, Filmmaker, Founder of Maria Soccor Productions COUNTRY: USA BIO: Maria Soccor is an award-winning director, actress, and founder of Maria Soccor Productions. Known for Lords of BSV, she co-founded REEL Women and advocates for sustainable filmmaking and women through storytelling, mentorship, and global collaborations across narrative, documentary, and immersive media.

PANEL: The Industry Reset - How Films are Getting Made

Stage 32 Presents: The Industry Reset - How Independent Films are Getting Made in 2026 NOTE: The panel is at 3:00pm Cannes time The market has shifted and the rules have changed. Cannes Palme d’or nominated producers, filmmakers, and talent break down what’s actually selling, how films are getting financed, and what’s moving the needle globally. Get real insight into today’s film economy - and what it takes to get projects made now. Moderator: Amanda Toney, Stage 32 Panelists: Daniel Bekerman - Oscar and Cannes Palme d’or Nominated Producer Tiffany Boyle - Cannes Palme d’or Nominated Producer and President, Packaging & Sales, Ramo LawRichard Botto - Producer, Screenwriter, CEO, Stage 32 Tonia Sotiropoulou - Actor (SKYFALL:007), Producer

Cannes Film Festival 2026 Stage 32 Meetup (OFFICIAL)

Please note: the correct time is 6:00pm local time in CannesThose who have attended Cannes over the last decade know that the Stage 32 Cannes Meetup has become one of the most anticipated and talked-about gatherings of the entire festival. It’s where real connections are made, collaborations begin, and the global creative community comes together in a meaningful way. This year, we’re excited to bring that experience to a new home. For 2026, the Stage 32 Cannes Meetup will be held as part of our Stage 32 Pop-Up Bar Event: RB & Gary’s Brown Sugar, where we’ll be taking over the iconic Brown Sugar Gastro Pub for the full weekend. Located in the heart of Cannes on the Carré d’Or, Brown Sugar is one of the festival’s most well-known and beloved gathering spots, making it the perfect setting to combine the magic of Cannes with the magic of Stage 32. We couldn’t be prouder to partner with Brown Sugar's owner, Gary, to create an unforgettable experience for our community. Join Stage 32 Founder & CEO Richard “RB” Botto, Managing Director Amanda Toney, and Head of Community Ashley Smith, along with creatives and industry professionals from around the world, for an evening of connection, conversation, and opportunity. If you have a film at Cannes, we’d love to celebrate you, please let us know in the comments below! If you’ll be attending Cannes and are interested in volunteering with the Stage 32 team during the festival, please email Ashley at Community@Stage32.com.Event Details:Event: Stage 32 Cannes 2026 MeetupDate: Sunday, May 17, 2026Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm local Cannes timeLocation: RB & Gary’s Brown SugarLe Carré d’Or17 Rue des Frères Pradignac06400 Cannes, France Brown Sugar offers a standout selection of beer and wine, including Brewdog Punk IPA on tap, a locally brewed English-style Pale Ale, Belgian beers, and traditional German and French lagers. Their wine list highlights small independent growers, with most selections exclusive within Cannes, and they’ve built a reputation for expertly crafted gin offerings.We hope you’ll join us for an unforgettable night in Cannes!

Let's Make Films - Monday 1st June

LET'S MAKE FILMS LONDON EVENT - MONDAY 1ST JUNE - INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S DAY SPECIAL | FILM QUIZ | NETWORKING | PITCHING | 6.30pm-10pm Location: BFI Riverfront - Balcony Bar, The Riverfront, London, SE1 8XT This June we’re adding a fun twist to our Let’s Make Films networking evening as we celebrate International Children’s Day.Join us for a fun-filled evening bringing together filmmakers, producers, writers, actors, and creatives to connect, collaborate and develop new projects, along with a lighthearted focus on the magic of childhood in film.Expect all the usual great networking plus:• Speed groups networking• Short film project discussions• Opportunities to recruit collaborators• Informal pitching and idea sharing• A fun film quiz inspired by iconic children’s films & charactersThink nostalgia, creativity, and a bit of friendly competition — all while making meaningful industry connectionsCome along, meet like-minded creatives, and celebrate the stories that inspired us to fall in love with film in the first place.Tickets on Eventbrite are available here:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e...

Ensemble: Creatives & Coffee

Got stories in your head? Scenes in your heart? Ideas you can't shake? This is a sign to bring them to life. Join us for a laid-back, highly-motivated meetup designed for budding creatives across all areas of filmmaking and storytelling. Screenplay Writers, Actors, Film Editors, Content creators, Directors, and anyone who wants to network Whether you're just starting out or already experimenting with your craft, this is a space to connect, collaborate, and create. Bring your ideas and energy. We hope to see you there.As we will be holding this at a Starbucks, please make sure to purchase a coffee or any drinks! Thanks so much! 

Let's Make Films - Wednesday 15th April

LET'S MAKE FILMS LONDON EVENT - IMMERSIA PROPERAMA  Immersive Storytelling | Virtual Production | Automated Film Props | Interactive Entertainment | Modelmaking | Costume Prop Design | 3D Scanning and more!!! Wednesday 15th April 2026 Doors Open: 6.00pm Event: 7pm-10.00pm Location: Proposition Studios, 279 Cambridge Heath Road, London, E2 0EL Including speakers shaping the future of storytelling: Professor Peter Richardson  - StoryFutures / CoStar- CoSTAR — The UK’s R&D Lab for Creative Technology and Immersive Storytelling   Andy Harris - Automated Film Props - Props That Tell the Story - When Objects Become Characters                                                                                                  Lee Kirton -  Victory Films and Victory Games / Makinarium UK - Three industries, One Mission. Empowering creativity in games, film, and props With talks covering Immersive storytelling & virtual productionInteractive props that perform on screenThe crossover between film, games and global franchisesOpportunities to learn a range of crafts via the Makinarium Academy  A new platform ‘The Forge’ to connect with creatives and share work                    This Let’s Make Films – Speakers Night is about getting real insight from people building it now, plus networking and pitches with creatives ready to collaborate There will also be the normal pitches, networking, and more. There will be a guestlist for the event.  Tickets are already selling quickly and you don't want to miss this one! Please sign up using the eventbrite link - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e... Follow Let's Make Films - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lets-Make-Films-113077594945338 Instagram: https://instagram.com/letsmakefilmsofficial?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Jon's Taipei Filmmakers Meetup

Calling actors-screenwriters-filmmakers (must be at least two of those roles)! Join us for a 4+ hour intensive brainstorming / ideation session! We rapidly iterate through short/micro film ideas, finding only the best ones (that are unique original) within our means, and produce it (under Jon's leadership / studio brand) without excuses, delay or fear. We're all about action action action! Comedy and all variants of it (eg horror comedy, black comedy) will be given priority.  The goal is to empower our group members to independently produce self-sustainable low-budget feature films and grow from there.

NYC Film Producers quarterly meetup

NYC Film Producers Network invites you to another quarterly informal meetup of producers working in independent film & related media production.   Tuesday, January 27th, 6 to 8:30 pm Citizen M Hotel Times Square 218 W 50th Street (50th & Broadway) Lobby bar (or back patio space if weather permits) Everyone will have the opportunity to make a very brief (30 seconds or less!) intro/pitch to the group about a project they're working on or something they'd like advice on, then we'll have informal networking and a cash bar. Join us for a quick hello or stay for a while. These meetups are geared specifically towards producers and the focus is on networking and sharing knowledge specific to the business of the business. NYC Film Producers Network is an informal group of experienced producers and those interested in producing. It hosts a quarterly meetup in midtown Manhattan and connects via Stage 32 and LinkedIn between meetups. 

Let's Make Films - Monday 30th March

LET'S MAKE FILMS LONDON EVENT - MONDAY 30TH MARCH 6.30pm-10pm Location: BFI Riverfront - Balcony Bar, The Riverfront, London, SE1 8XT If you work in film, media, or creative production in London, join us for our March Let’s Make Films networking evening. The event is designed to bring together filmmakers, producers, writers, actors, and creatives to connect, collaborate and develop new projects. The evening includes:  • Film industry networking including speed groups • Short film project discussions • Opportunities to recruit collaborators • Elevator pitching and idea sharing We are helping to support and facilitate three short films into production and to enter the festival circuit this year. Come along to the event to hear about the projects and potential casting and crew opportunities. We'll be announcing another event for 15th April at Proposition Studios and will include multiple speakers giving talks and demonstrations, further details to come soon. To sign up for tickets, please use the following link to the Eventbrite listing: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e...

Berlinare: A Special Networking Event for Film, TV and

NYC Film Producers quarterly meetup

NYC Film Producers Network invites you to another quarterly informal meetup of producers working in independent film & related media production.   Tuesday, January 27th, 6 to 8:30 pm Citizen M Hotel Times Square 218 W 50th Street (50th & Broadway) Lobby bar (or back patio space if weather permits) Everyone will have the opportunity to make a very brief (30 seconds or less!) intro/pitch to the group about a project they're working on or something they'd like advice on, then we'll have informal networking and a cash bar. Join us for a quick hello or stay for a while. These meetups are geared specifically towards producers and the focus is on networking and sharing knowledge specific to the business of the business. RSVP at https://click.codylassen.com/n...