BEYOND 2025
Nov 24-26 | MediaCity, Salford, Manchester, UK
Now in its 8th year, BEYOND is the UK’s leading conference for research and innovation. Over three days at MediaCity UK (Nov 24-26), over 100 speakers across 50+ sessions explored the ideas shaping the future of the creative industries. BEYOND is where the creative industries converge.
BEYOND 2025 brought together creative leaders from YouTube, V&A, Channel 4, BFI, Boomtown, Google DeepMind, Arts & Humanities Research Council, the British Council, and the UK’s leading universities, with delegates from over 20 countries.
Featured speakers
Alex Rowse
Marshmallow Laser Feast
Alison Lomax
YouTube
Andy Burnham
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Chao Tayiana Maina
African Digital Heritage
Daniel Gbolagun
YouFibre
Elene Toidze
Creative Clusters Alliance (CCAL)
Gary Zhexi Zhang
Independent
Gemma Bradshaw
The TV Foundation
Gus Casely-Hayford
V&A East
Janine Smith
Channel4
Jocelyn Burnham
AI for Culture
Mair Morel
Boomtown Fair
Mykaell Riley
University of Westminster
Nana Yu-I Lee
Tom Fleming Creative Consultancy
Nihal Arthanayake
Owen Hopkin
Arts Council England
Paul Dennett
Salford City Council
Piotr Mirowski
Google DeepMind
Rishi Coupland
BFI
Sarah Ellis
The Royal Shakespeare Company
Shahidha Bari
University of the Arts London
Shama Rahman
Neurocreate
Sougwen Chung
Studio Scilicet
Taejun Lee
KDI School of Public Policy and Management
Tia-Monique Uzor
The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Tupac Martir
Satore Studio
BEYOND 2025 Programme Overview
mon 24 nov
WELCOME
14:00 – 21:00
Activities produced by lead local partners to showcase MediaCity and the Manchester creative sector to BEYOND delegates, to include:
- Local tours
- Company Demos
- Performances
- Networking
NEW FOR 2025 – EMERGING INNOVATORS
Showcasing next-generation talent in the UK’s creative research sector
The BEYOND Emerging Innovators programme celebrates diverse young talent in creative sector – with networking opportunities, mentoring, showcasing and support for nominees to accelerate their careers.
Tue 24 nov
CONFERENCE
09:00 – 17:00
Programme curated by the BEYOND team and international programme partners to include:
- Keynotes
- Panel Discussions
- Creative Interludes
- Provocations
- SHORT-TALKS
Themes
The Creator Economy highlights how independent voices use GenAI to rival traditional media, reshaping culture and careers.
CreaTech fuses creativity technology, driving collaboration across sectors from arts to health and education.
Innovation Districts unite talent, research and enterprise to fuel growth, support startups and build sustainable ecosystems.
Wed 26 nov
INVESTOR BREAKFAST
08:00 – 09:30
Connecting investors and innovators, to knowledge share and drive growth in creative industries
Conference
09:30 – 16:30
Programme curated in partnership with the BEYOND partners and community to include:
- Performances
- Panel Discussions
- Workshops
- Short talks
- Meet-ups
EMERGING INNOVATORS TAKEOVER
14:00 – 16:30
Programme curated in partnership with the BEYOND Emerging Innovators and local partners to include:
- Performances
- Mentoring Sessions
- Short talks
Thurs 27 nov
I-PLACE CONFERENCE
10:30 – 16:00
The Key Cities Innovation Netowrk will hold its 4th annual conference at the University of Salford, on the theme “Innovation Districts & Exosystems” as part of the two-day i-PLACE 25 event in partnership with BEYOND Conference. More information and i-Place tickets available at:
www.i-place.uk
New for 2025 – Networking Tools
Building new connection in Creative INdustries….
10:30 – 16:00
A new enhanced networking app will offer custom profiles, scheduling, matchmaking, and 1-2-1 meeting slots – empowering connections for BEYOND delegates before, during and after the event.
IMMERSIVE FUTURES + CREATIVE R&D SHOWCASES
Exhibitions of cutting-edge R&D and early-stage prototypes developed by the BEYOND community, showcasing innovative ideas, new types of content and novel uses of technologies.
THREE THEMES
CREATECH.
CREATOR ECONOMY.
INNOVATION DISTRICTS.
BEYOND 2025 explores the seismic shifts reshaping our creative landscape.From the rise of the Creator Economy to the evolution of Innovation Districts and cutting-edge CreaTech, a new ecosystem is emerging—one where creators, technologists, and communities co-design the future. Join us at the forefront of creative innovation and discover how the future is being built, one idea at a time.
CREATOR ECONOMY
The Creator Economy sits at the epicentre of a seismic shift, as the boundaries between creator and audience dissolve and new voices rise through platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
CREATECH
CreaTech emerges as the powerful fusion of creativity and technology, forging connections that extend beyond the arts and driving collaboration across health, education and manufacturing.
INNOVATION DISTRICTS
The next evolution in creative placemaking, where talent, research and enterprise converge to drive regional growth, nurture talent pipelines, support startups, and foster sustainable ecosystems.
Emerging Innovators
Celebrating early-career talent across the UK’s creative research community. The programme spotlights individuals forging new paths where creativity, research, and innovation meet. Open to creatives aged 18–29, this pilot recognises originality, ambition, and potential for lasting impact.
2025 Conference Partners
Event Partner
Programme Partner
Lead Local Partner
More Information
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Founding partner
Production partner
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