WEDNESDAY, 4 FEBRUARY 2026
Welcome Reception
THURSDAY, 5 FEBRUARY 2026
Official Opening & Welcoming Address
For the launch of the Summit, we were joined by an inspiring group of speakers who formally opened the 2026 WIFTI Global Summit and welcomed delegates from across the international film and television community for three days of conversation, collaboration and creative exchange.
Speakers:
Dr Susan Liddy – President Women in Film and Television International & Chair WFT Ireland
Deirdre Ní Choistín – Director General, TG4
Désirée Finnegan – Chief Executive, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland
Ruth Negga – BAFTA, Emmy, and Oscar-Nominated Actor (Passing, Presumed Innocent)
Elizabeth Farrelly – Assistant Director, Media Development, Coimisiún na Meán
Panel 1
Voices of Change: Pioneering Equity in the Screen Industries
The opening panel reflected on global progress in gender equality since the launch of the 5050X2020 initiative. Funders and industry leaders examined what has worked, what has not, and the policies and practices driving lasting change. With a focus on meaningful knowledge exchange between national and international bodies, this session also explored new opportunities for building a more equitable screen sector.
Panellists:
Dr. Susan Liddy (Moderator) – WIFTI President & WFT Ireland Chair
Anna Serner – CEO, Center for Investigative Journalism and Former CEO, Swedish Film Institute
Iris Zappe-Heller – Deputy Director, Austrian Film Institute
Lisa French – Professor of Screen & Dean School of Media & Communication, RMIT
Liselott Forsman – CEO, Nordisk Film & TV Fond and Producer
Niamh Fagan – Project Manager Feature Film, Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland
Valerie Creighton – President & CEO, Canada Media Fund
Networking Lunch & Limerick Film Industry Showcase
Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Limerick presented exceptional talent, innovation and technical skill emerging from the Mid-West region. Five leading Limerick-based companies working across screen-relevant sectors delivered a short pitch showcasing their work to date, areas of expertise, and openness to collaboration with national and international productions.
Panel 2
Beyond Borders: How Irish Co-Productions are Shaping Global Storytelling
The session explored the growing importance of international co-productions in an increasingly globalised screen industry. Leaders in policy, production, and financing shared insights on legal and financial frameworks that underpin successful partnerships, how to identify and avoid common pitfalls in cross-border collaboration, and Ireland’s position within the global co-production ecosystem.
Panellists:
Lesley McKimm (Moderator) – Producer (Whistleblower, It’s Not Yet Dark, Greta)
Teresa McGrane – COO, Wild Atlantic Pictures (Kneecap, Saipan)
Sinead McHugh – Partner, Film, TV and Media, Head of Dublin Office, Saffery
Aisha Tyler – Actor, Producer, Director, CEO Hot Machine Films (The Walking Dead, Criminal Minds, I Hope We Can Still Be Friends)
Máire Ní Chonláin – Commissioning Editor, TG4, Executive Producer (An Cailín Ciúin/The Quiet Girl, CRÁ, Frewaka)
Panel 3
Behind the Pixels: Women Leading VFX & Virtual Production
With a focus on creativity, collaboration and capability, panellists discussed how emerging innovations are reshaping production workflows, storytelling and audience engagement.
Panellists:
Deborah Doherty (Moderator) – Elephant Goldfish VFX & Post-Production; Managing Director and Executive Producer
Clare Cheetham – Emmy Award-Winning Executive VFX Producer, Crafty Apes (The Martian, Chernobyl)
May Leung – VFX Supervisor (The Witcher: Blood Origins, Fountain of Youth)
Eranka Weeasuryia – Head of VP, Studio Ulster (Avatar: The Last Airbender, Squid Game)
Fireside Chat with Ruth Negga
An intimate fireside conversation with BAFTA, Emmy and Oscar-nominated actor Ruth Negga reflecting on her extraordinary career to date and offering a glimpse into her future creative plans.
Moderator/Interviewer: Aoife Barry, Freelance Writer, Broadcaster and Arts Journalist
WFTV UK Networking Reception
Drinks reception hosted by WFTV UK, celebrating the WIFTI Summit. A friendly, informal setting where the Summit delegates had the opportunity to engage in speed networking.
About WFTV UK
Women in Film & TV (UK) is the leading membership organisation for women working in creative media in the UK. To find out more please go to https://www.wftv.org.uk/.
FRIDAY, 6 FEBRUARY 2026
Panel 1
Threats and Shifts: Navigating the New Frontlines of Equality in the Screen Industries
The conversation explored the evolving cultural, technological and regulatory challenges facing the global screen industries -from the rise of online hate speech and disinformation to the growing impact of algorithmic bias, digital harassment, and workplace misconduct, including harassment, sexual harassment and bullying. As the media landscape shifts, new threats to safety and creative integrity are emerging - including misogyny in online spaces and deepfakes.
Panellists reflected on how the industry can meaningfully respond, and the role that public bodies, regulators and creatives can play in ensuring the screen sector remains inclusive, ethical and democratic in the face of rapid change.
Panellists:
Katie Bailiff (Moderator) – CEO, Women in Film and Television UK
Dame Heather Rabbats – Chair, TIME’S Up UK
Professor Debbie Ging – Professor of Digital Media and Gender, Dublin City University
Domizia De Rosa – Media Executive, President of Women in Film, Television & Media Italia, Vice President of WIFTI
Almudena Carracedo (via Zoom) – Filmmaker & Asociación de Mujeres Cineastas y de Medios Audiovisuales (CIMA) Board Member
Panel 2
Voices of the Unheard: Storytelling and Identity in Minority Languages
The panel explored how storytelling in minority and Indigenous languages preserves cultural identity, challenges dominant narratives and reaches global audiences. Panellists shared insights on the journey from development to funding, festivals and distribution, highlighting the challenges of visibility and sustainability. Drawing on perspectives from Ireland, Canada, Wales and Finland, the discussion examined how diverse linguistic and cultural voices shape the global screen landscape.
It also addressed equity, representation and audience access, and the role of festivals, broadcasters and public bodies in championing this vital work.
Panellists:
Gemma Ní Chionnaith (Moderator) – TV Broadcaster, TG4
Deirbhile Ní Churraighin – Commissioning Editor, TG4
Kerry Swanson – CEO, Canadian Indigenous Screen Office
Gwenllian Gravelle – Head of Film & Drama, S4C
Anne Lajla Utsi (via Zoom) – Managing Director, International Sámi Film Institute
Thank you to TG4 for the sponsorship of this panel.
Networking Lunch with the National Talent Academies
Thank you to the NTA for their sponsorship of this lunch.
Panel 3
From Market to Audience: Getting Your Project Seen
In today’s rapidly evolving global marketplace, getting a project seen is more complex — and more competitive — than ever. This panel explored how filmmakers can navigate a changing landscape of festivals, broadcasters, streamers and online platforms to maximise the visibility and impact of their work.
Drawing from their own professional experience, panellists shared insights into current distribution trends, highlighting what is working and discussing creative strategies to help diverse and independent projects reach their audiences.
Panellists:
Kissy Dugan (Moderator) – Screenwriter & Producer, WIFTI Executive Board Member
Kelly Luegenbiehl – Co-Founder, Shorties Studios (Ex Netflix, Disney, NBCU)
Gretchen McGowan – Emmy Award-Winning Producer & Goldcrest Films (Back to Black, Carol), NYWIFT Board Member
Carmen Thompson (via Zoom) - Film Programmer, Distributor and Cultural Producer
Jenn Brown – Executive Director, St John’s International Women’s Film Festival Newfoundland
Panel 4
Driving Real Change in the Screen Industries
This panel shifted beyond awareness to spotlight strategies and leadership models that are actively reshaping the screen industries — from policy interventions and equity frameworks to innovative programmes supporting underrepresented talent.
Panellists shared real-world examples of institutional change, including initiatives for mid-career professionals, inclusive hiring practices and long-term approaches to career sustainability. The session explored how advocacy, policy, and workplace culture can evolve to support gender-diverse professionals at every stage of their careers.
Panellists:
Gretchen McGowan (Moderator) – Emmy Award-Winning
Producer & Goldcrest Films (Back to Black, Carol), NYWIFT Board Member
Mia Bays – Director, BFI Filmmaking Fund
Max Brady – Chair of GEDI Committee, Screen Producers Ireland
Liza Truschel – Managing Director, The Writers Lab UK
Ailish Bracken – Chair of Raising Films Ireland
Panel 5
Seen and Unseen: Women’s Creative Journeys On and Off Screen
The panel noffered a candid, inspiring conversation with women across a range of creative roles. They reflected on their career paths, the barriers they have faced and overcome and the realities of sustaining a creative career in today’s screen industries.
Panellists:
Maikiko James (Moderator) – Deputy Director, WIF LA
Ruth Negga – BAFTA, Emmy, and Oscar-Nominated Actor (Passing, Presumed Innocent)
Aisha Tyler – Actor, Producer, Director, CEO Hot Machine Films (The Walking Dead, Criminal Minds, I Hope We Can Still Be Friends)
Dearbhla Walsh – Emmy, BAFTA and IFTA Award-Winning Director (Little Dorrit, The Handmaid’s Tale, Fargo, Bad Sisters, Margo’s Got Money Troubles)
Guneet Monga Kapoor – Oscar-Winning Producer (The Lunchbox, The Elephant Whisperers)
Úna Ní Dhonghaíle ACE, BFE – BAFTA and IFTA-Winning Editor (The Crown, Belfast, Paddington in Peru)
.SATURDAY, 7 FEBRUARY 2026
Excursion:
Film in Limerick - Guided Location & Studio Tour Hosted by Film in Limerick
The Summit delegates participated in an exclusive guided bus tour of the Limerick region, exploring key filming locations including Troy Studios and other iconic landmarks. Together, we discovered the diverse and cinematic potential of the area, gained inspiration for future projects and witnessed firsthand why Limerick is an ideal location for film and media production.
Thank you to Film in Limerick and Troy Studios for making this possible.
ADDITIONAL SNAPSHOTS
Thank you to I LOVE LIMERICK and to Brian Arthur Photography for the wonderfully captured moments across the four days of the Summit.
