Breakthrough Film Fund Sessions

Join Breakthrough Film Fund and Manchester Film Festival for the launch of the 2027 fund: an informal, podcast-style conversation reflecting on year one and looking ahead to what’s next.

The Breakthrough Film Fund Sessions bring industry professionals together for genuine conversation - without the usual panel format. Four guests, one table and one central topic, delivered in the relaxed surroundings of the ABC Club Lounge.

For our first Session, Breakthrough Film Fund and Manchester Film Festival come together to launch the 2027 fund: a £5k cash production award alongside executive producer mentorship from its experienced founders, Baldwin Li and Matthew Boone.

We’ll look back at our first year and share some of what we learned along the way. We’ll discuss what stood out in submissions, where projects could have communicated their ideas more effectively, and offer practical insight for filmmakers considering applying in 2027.

We’ll also look ahead to what’s changing for year two, with a longer application window and an expanded live final at Odeon Great Northern, where the 2027 finalists will pitch their projects on the big screen alongside the premiere of our first funded film, 'The Sin Eater.'

The conversation will run for approximately 45 minutes. Grab a drink from the bar, find a spot in the lounge, listen in and join in the conversation. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity for further discussion with the panelists and a few conversation starters in different areas of the bar to encourage ideas to flow and help you make connections.