Timetable
Download a printable version of the Timetable here
Tuesday 2nd July 2019
Sheffield City Hall
First Timers' Reception & City Hall Bar Open
First Time at the CMC? Enjoy an extra special welcome from executives, producers and talent with top tips to get the most out of your conference! There’ll be prizes too!
6:00pm-7:15pmOpening Keynote: Nadiya Hussain
Bake-off winner, TV presenter, author and national treasure Nadiya Hussain takes to the stage for a different kind of Opening Keynote, as she champions facing up to all our monsters and making life limitless for children today.
Sheffield Town Hall
International Exchange PM Session
The afternoon begins with a networking lunch from 12.45-1.45pm with a Welcome Presentation at 1.40pm, meetings run from 1.45pm-5pm.
9:30am-12:45pmInternational Exchange AM Session
The morning begins with a Welcome Presentation at 9.20am, meetings run from 9.30am-12.45pm and a networking lunch is provided from 12.45-1.45pm.
Sheffield Cathedral
Wednesday 3rd July 2019
Showroom Cinema 4
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
Five prospective producers enter the den to pitch their ideas to the dragons. But who will walk away with investment? Read the producer preview for this session.
9:30am-10:30amLimiting the Limitless?
Do new opportunities call for new thinking? The CMC Question Time quizzes those in power, or in the know, about the big issues facing UK kids’ media today.
5:00pm-6:00pmCreative Masterclass: Clangers and Paddington
Celebrate the anniversary of the Moon Landings with the Clangers, and Paddington’s spectacular return to the small screen.
12:30pm-1:15pmCommissioner Conversations: BBC
BBC Children’s and BBC Education discuss their commissioning and development process, and reveal new ways of working to maximise public service brands.
11:00am-12:00pmStream if you Wanna go Faster: Decoding the SVoDs
Netflix, Amazon and Youtube are eating CBBC’s lunch. Disney+ and Ap-pleTV+ are hungry too. An agenda-setting hour on how to work with them and win.
2:00pm-3:00pmPut Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
Five prospective producers enter the den to pitch their ideas to the dragons. But who will walk away with investment? Read the producer preview for this session.
3:30pm-4:30pmThe YACF – A User’s Guide
What is the Young Audiences Content Fund? Jackie Edwards and her team give us the inside scoop on the aims of the new £57m fund, what to submit, and how!
Showroom Cinema 3
Resetting the Moral Compass
In light of the White Paper on “online harms” are we finally resetting the dials on the internet to make it truly friendly for children and families. With online platforms more and more under scrutiny, activists for digital rights consider the effectiveness of the White Paper and the public support for change.
9:30am-10:30amLimiting the Limitless? (Relayed from Cinema 4)
Do new opportunities call for new thinking? The CMC Question Time quizzes those in power, or in the know, about the big issues facing UK kids’ media today.
12:40pm-1:40pmThe CMC Debate: Limitless Content - Good or Bad?
Industry leaders debate the motion: "Kids' limitless access to content is a positive thing for children’s media makers”. Your vote will decide which argument wins.
11:10am-12:10pmThe Art of Play
Two linked presentations. Playing to Innovate - using play as a vital tool to inspire creativity in innovation, research and analysis. Being Childish - rediscover your inner child! Connect with children through silliness and fun, no matter where they’re from or what they’ve been through.
5:10pm-6:00pmFortnite-ly Phenomena: What Creates A Digital Craze?
Fortnite was 2018's digital craze for kids, toppling Minecraft (which in turn replaced Moshi Monsters and Club Penguin). What do these phenomena have in common, and how can we tap in?
2:10pm-3:10pmCommissioner Conversations: VoD
Hear first-hand what VOD commissioners’ plans look like for 2020/21, what’s worked in the past, what they’re looking for next, how they see their content evolving and how to get in touch to pitch your ideas.
Showroom Cinema 2
Life on the Small Screen
Ofcom share their insights on the media use and attitudes of children, uncover the reasons young people are drawn to online video services such as Netflix and YouTube, and how certain types of content evoke powerful responses.
5:10pm-6:00pmDelivery Demands
There’s been a sharp incline in demands from VoD platforms for high delivery standards for audio and video. Are studios keeping up and is it increasing industry standards?
3:40pm-4:40pmDon't Mention the C Word!
We need to talk about class. Is the lack of people from working class backgrounds in our workforce making us irrelevant to our audiences?
2:10pm-3:10pmGambling and Gaming: What’s the Difference? What’s the Harm?
Gambling features within video games are a concern for parents and kids. Now gambling products borrow features from game designers too. What is the relationship between gambling and gaming and should we worry?
11:10am-12:10pmClicks and Mortar - The New Retail Space
How has merchandise and licensing been impacted by digital disruption? What are the new ways to develop and launch a product in an increasingly tough consumer environment?
Showroom Cinema 1
Research 7 & 8
Two 30 minute research presentations: Diversity in UK Kids’ TV & Social Media and Gaming – Good or Bad for Kids?
3:30pm-4:30pmResearch 5 & 6
Two 30 minute research presentations: Gaming Grannies & Co-viewing, Co-playing, Co-everything. Wishful Thinking or Real Family Behaviour?
11:00am-12:00pmResearch 3 & 4
Two 30 minute research presentations: Age Ratings in a Limitless World & HEIHEI, Disrupting Younger Kids Media Provision in New Zealand.
5:00pm-6:00pmResearch 1 & 2
Two 30 minute research presentations: What Children's Content do Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and YouTube Want? & Screenage Kids.
The Workstation (Mezzanine)
Speed Meetings: The YACF and BFI Certification
Speakers listed here are available for five-minute one-to-one advice meetings. Come to the Workstation Reception to book your slot. There is no advance booking – it is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don’t miss out.
3:30pm-4:30pmSpeed Meetings: VoD
Speakers listed here are available for five-minute one-to-one advice meetings. Come to the Workstation Reception to book your slot. There is no advance booking – it is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don’t miss out.
2:00pm-3:00pmSpeed Meetings: BBC
Speakers listed here are available for five-minute one-to-one advice meetings. Come to the Workstation Reception to book your slot. There is no advance booking – it is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don’t miss out.
12:30pm-1:30pmSpeed Meetings: China - A Creative Approach
Speakers listed here are available for five-minute one-to-one advice meetings. Come to the Workstation Reception to book your slot. There is no advance booking – it is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don’t miss out.
HUBS Common Room
China - A Creative Approach
Join our esteemed panel of speakers as they give insight and share knowledge into how to develop and produce your projects with both a Chinese and international audience in mind.
2:00pm-3:00pmFocus on Ireland
Why is Ireland a great place to bring your production? Our panel of content-makers share their advice and expertise about working in, and with, Ireland.
3:30pm-4:30pmVR and AR Storytelling for Kids
As storytellers, how can we embrace new technologies, such as Virtual or Augmented Reality so that children experience content which is both of value and entertaining.
5:00pm-6:00pmMerging Digital and Physical Experiences
When digital and physical experiences connect or merge, how do they – or could they - impact on play and learning?
12:30pm-1:30pmWriters Assemble!
Grab your lunch and join a heroic band of experts to tackle the challenges of working as a writer – getting in, staying in, moving on up!
HUBS The Stage
Pushing the Pre-school Envelope
Innovative Preschool: explore the latest boundaries of preschool content, from production technique & platform choice to brand identity, commerce & inclusion.
3:30pm-4:30pmKids Taking a Stand
Hear from the kids taking a stand for change, as, in a first for CMC, Changemakers discuss how to reflect their activism in the changing media landscape.
12:30pm-1:30pmThe Incredible Playable Lunchtime Show
An award-winning interactive show where the auditorium is transformed into a stage for bizarre video games, and you the audience become the players!
5:00pm-6:00pmTackling Teens
With more broadcasters commissioning content for teens and the Young Audience Content Fund’s emphasis on the 13+ age-group, how can children’s content creators age-up and move into this sphere?
11:00am-12:00pmPushing the Boundaries for Learning
How do we make sure we deliver the best and most innovative learning content for the next generation?
Mercure St Paul’s Hotel
Creative Keynote: Horrible Histories The Movie
Key creatives behind the bestselling children’s books, the multi-award winning hit TV show, and this summer’s movie adaptation ‘Rotten Romans’ on how to make horribly entertaining family comedy, and create the funniest franchise in history.
5:00pm-6:30pmMercure Bar Open
The Mercure bar is open from 5pm before the Creative Keynote.
Thursday 4th July 2019
Showroom Cinema 4
The Last Word: Nikki Lilly
Nikki Lilly – CBBC star, YouTuber, and Junior Bake Off winner – brings CMC 2019 to a close. Her brief was “limitless’ – so expect everything from overcoming adversity to sharing make-up tips. It’s all you need to head home with a spring in your step and feeling fabulous.
2:00pm-3:00pmGoing Global
Bringing the UK classroom to the world – internationalising children’s learning content. Who is making an impact internationally and how does that work with conflicting curricula needs? This session begins with a presentation by Changemaker Finlay Pringle Read the producer's preview for this session.
12:30pm-1:30pmCommissioner Conversations: Channels
An opportunity to hear from the commissioners at Nickelodeon, Sony and Turner.
9:30am-10:30amStaying Local
A panel that examines the vital place of locally focussed and produced drama in the audience's entertainment mix.
11:00am-12:00pmCommissioner Conversations: PSBs
Commissioners from UK commercial public service broadcasters reveal their top tips on how to approach them, what they’re looking for and how they manage the post-commissioning relationship.
Showroom Cinema 3
Fresh Kids Tech
Innovations you should know about in technology, trends and kids’ passions in digital content.
11:10am-12:10pmThe Art of Voice & Song
What makes a great character voice? What makes a truly “sticky” song that fast becomes an earworm? Don’t miss this session for sound advice that’s music to your ears! Read the producer preview of this session.
2:10pm-3:10pmOnline Killed the TV Star
… Or did it? We discuss why online talent isn’t the enemy.
9:40am-10:40amSuccessful Pitches - The Secret History
Want to increase the odds of getting your series/idea commissioned? Learn how from our four master pitchers' personal stories on pitching 'Peppa Pig', 'Becca's Bunch' and many more.
Showroom Cinema 2
Life on the Small Screen (Repeat)
Ofcom share their insights on the media use and attitudes of children, uncover the reasons young people are drawn to online video services such as Netflix and YouTube, and how certain types of content evoke powerful responses.
2:10pm-3:10pmCultivating Community
How content creators and brands maintain and extend their relationship with their audience online and how online fan communities contribute to content and meaningful engagement.
11:10am-12:10pmMedia Medicine
How can we help children stay healthy? Four innovative ways in which we can support children's health experiences with some marvellous media medicine.
9:40am-10:40amImmersive Journeys in Education
How AR and VR are changing learning in schools
Showroom Cinema 1
Research 7 & 8 (Repeat)
Two 30 minute research presentations: Diversity in UK Kids’ TV & Social Media and Gaming – Good or Bad for Kids?
2:00pm-3:00pmResearch 5 & 6 (Repeat)
Two 30 minute research presentations: Gaming Grannies & Co-viewing, Co-playing, Co-everything. Wishful Thinking or Real Family Behaviour?
11:00am-12:00pmResearch 3 & 4 (Repeat)
Two 30 minute research presentations: Age Ratings in a Limitless World & HEIHEI, Disrupting Younger Kids Media Provision in New Zealand.
9:30am-10:30amResearch 1 & 2 (Repeat)
Two 30 minute research presentations: What Children's Content do Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and YouTube Want? & Screenage Kids.
The Workstation (Mezzanine)
Speed Meetings: Channels
Speakers listed here are available for five-minute one-to-one advice meetings. Come to the Workstation Reception to book your slot. There is no advance booking – it is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don’t miss out.
12:30pm-1:30pmSpeed Meetings: PSBs
Speakers listed here are available for five-minute one-to-one advice meetings. Come to the Workstation Reception to book your slot. There is no advance booking – it is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don’t miss out.
11:00am-12:00pmSpeed Meetings: China - Business and Partnerships
Speakers listed here are available for five-minute one-to-one advice meetings. Come to the Workstation Reception to book your slot. There is no advance booking – it is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don’t miss out.
HUBS Hideout
Kids' Media Connected
MACKY is a new international association of children’s professionals that unites creatives across platforms to promote meaningful media for kids and young people. Come and meet its founding members and consider joining.
2:00pm-3:00pmUnconscious Bias (Repeat)
The subtle messages that influence our children.
11:00am-12:00pmUnconscious Bias
The subtle messages that influence our children.
HUBS Common Room
Animation Skills Fund - Use it or Lose it!
New initiatives from the re-booted ScreenSkills Animation Skills Council will address animation skills shortages, with finance from the Animation Skills Fund. If you run or recruit for an animation company, come and have your say on the priorities and approaches.
9:30am-10:30amAlexa, How should Youth Brands Use Audio in 2019?
Leading youth brands discuss how we can use the latest tech and platforms to create audio experiences that engage kids in 2019 and beyond.
11:00am-12:00pmThe Note Behind The Note
Notes are an essential part of the creative process. A panel of experts from both sides of the equation discuss the best way to give and receive notes for a great finished product.
12:30pm-1:30pmKids with Stones in Their Pockets
How kids play and how, as storytellers and content creators, we can create a space for self-discovery and imagination.
HUBS The Stage
True?
The abundance of online fakery and fake news is making it increasingly difficult for young audiences to know what's real and what's not. What responsibility do we have? How can we equip them with the skills to navigate the truth?
9:30am-10:30amChina - Business and Partnerships
With increasing number of partnerships between Chinese and creative companies around the world we discuss the opportunities, broadcast and streaming platforms, finding the right partners and the co-production treaty.
12:30pm-1:30pmThe Incredible Playable Lunchtime Show
An award-winning interactive show where the auditorium is transformed into a stage for bizarre video games, and you the audience become the players!
2:00pm-3:00pmAre the Robots Coming for our Children?
A deep dive into the ethical, privacy and design considerations relating to AI in children’s media development and data analysis.
Site Gallery
Playground Drinks Reception
Join us for drinks at CMC Playground - open to all delegates.
11:00am-8:00pmPlayground
Playground is a series of exhibitions curated by The Children's Media Conference focusing on experiences that merge physical and digital play. The fourth edition, Game/Changers, showcases reinterpretations and remakes of seminal toys, games and experiences developed over the last 40 years. Artists and designers include Pippin Barr, Bennett Foddy, La Sophiste and Sensible Object, a new commission by Site Gallery's Society of Explorers and the MakEY project organised and run by The University of Sheffield, School of Education. The exhibition has been curated for 5-12 year olds, but everyone is of course welcome. Visit www.cmcplayground.com for further information.