One of the trending topics up for discussion at this year’s Digital Content Forum will be the rise of creator collectives (Thursday, November 6, 1135: BFI Southbank).
The expert line-up for the creator collective panel (pictured) includes Upload Agency’s Stuart Jones, YouTube’s Katja Perry and The Fellas Studios’ Elliot Hackney. The session will be moderated by Maxime Rozencwajg, head of creator partnerships at OK COOL.
The last couple of years has seen a boom in creator collectives, with online talent recognising the power of aggregating their audiences. The session will examine how collectives are reshaping the digital-first landscape, building audiences and businesses at scale. It will dig into the financial and creative structures behind groups like Sidemen and Beta Squad, and assess how collaboration fuels reach and monetisation. The panel discussion will also consider what this rapidly-evolving model means for the future of talent, formats and media companies.
The panel brings together a broad range of expertise. Perry is senior strategic partner manager at YouTube while Jones is founder of Upload, a leading influencer management agency that works with the likes of Sidemen and Beta Squad. Hackney is COO of The Fellas Studios, recently acquired by media group Global.
With less than 48 hours to go until the fourth edition of the TellyCast Digital Content Forum (November 6, 2025, BFI), the final line-up of more than 30 speakers and 12 sessions has been confirmed. Other subjects to be discussed include microdramas, vodcasting, digital formats, AI and news provision in the digital age.
This year’s speakers are some of the most dynamic, entrepreneurial and creative figures in the new content economy. They include The Sidemen’s Victor Bengtsson, SWNS Media Group’s Sam Barcroft, Flight Story’s Georgie Holt, Spirit Studios’ Matt Campion, Fawkes Digital’s Lucy Smith and Mako Studios’ Taf Makopa. Other industry heavyweights in attendance include ITV Studios’ Mike Beale, The Sun’s Jon Lloyd, The Soul Group’s Victor Potrel and Sony’s Matt Ford.
DCF organisers are expecting their largest ever turnout, with 2025 having proved to be a watershed year in terms of the intersection between traditional and digital-first media. Already signed up to attend are leading creators, studios, producers, distributors, brands, media agencies, social platforms, and channel operators.
TellyCast Media and Events founder Justin Crosby said: “The entire media industry is trying to get to grips with the opportunities and challenges presented by the new content economy. And there’s no better place to gain actionable insights than the Digital Content Forum, which has become a key focal point for the creator community. I am beyond delighted to have so many experts joining us at the BFI to share their knowledge and experiences. I’m equally thrilled to welcome back the digital-first studios and creators who are the inspiration and instigators of this seismic shift.”
Other DCF highlights include sessions by Enders Analysis and The Wit, as well The Bridge Digital Formats Lounge, a new innovation designed in partnership with ITV Studios and Zoo55. Across the day, leading ITVS labels including Potato, Southshore, Lifted, Boom, MSM, So TV, The Garden, TwoFour and Plimsoll will meet with digital-first studios and creators to discuss ways TV and creators can work together.
Other features at DCF 2025 include the YouTube Clinic where delegates can get a free health check of their YouTube channels by vidIQ. Tickets are available now
