But whilst Liverpool boasts that it is "the most filmed city in the UK outside of London" this is only part of the economic picture. The city is home to a number of independent film companies who are creating very successful productions despite a difficult financial environment and limited studio and post production facilities.

A changing global competitive climate has led to the emergence of new 'hotspots' for production activity. Locations such North Carolina, Puerto Rico and Georgia (now one of the busiest of the new production centres in the US) are providing fresh opportunities for companies by investing heavily in new and existing infrastructure and providing much needed services and facilities for both resident and incoming production companies. And closer to home, cities like Glasgow and Belfast are vying to be ahead of the curve through significant sector investment.

MC'd by Neil Atkinson of The Anfield Wrap and Film First, this session invites the audience to discuss the challenges faced by the local independent film sector, how individual companies are overcoming these challenges and how the independent community, the city and industry bodies could work together put Liverpool on the global production map.

Panellists:

Roy Boulter - Hurricane Films
Cllr.Paul Brant - Liverpool City Council (Deputy Mayor)
Caroline Cooper-Charles - Creative England
Neil Fitzmaurice - North Star Productions
Dave Hughes - Red Union Films
Sol Papadopoulos - Hurricane Films

5.30pm-6.30pm
Thursday 8th August 2013
Leaf (upstairs)
Bold Street, L1 4EZ

This event is free but registration is required. Register here.