Commercial Pathways for Early Career Filmmakers

Delivered by Janne Barkliss (Exec Producer / Former Packaging and Sales Packaging at Gersh Agency)

Janne Barklis is a former packaging and sales agent at The Gersh Agency. She has worked for mini-major studios (Lionsgate, Pathé), foreign sales companies (Bankside Films, XYZ Films) and TV production companies (Dancing Ledge Productions) in both London and Los Angeles. She graduated from the University of Exeter and London Film School with a MA in International Film Business. Previous to a life in the film industry, she had a freelance career in theatrical production, journalism, and radio/podcasting which has given her a diverse sense of story. With stints living in the UK, Switzerland, South Africa, and her home country of the US, she believes in the value of cross-cultural integration and is invested in international talent and global audiences.

Dates: 5 x sessions occurring on 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th February and 3rd March 2026

Tuesday 19:00 - 22:00

Last booking date: 3rd February 2026

Book your place here

This programme gives emerging filmmakers a clear and precise map of where opportunity genuinely exists in today’s screen industries. It cuts through the noise, showing how to reverse-engineer demand, identify commercially viable formats, and focus on a diversity of forms and approaches that creates opportunity. Equally, it makes explicit what to avoid—projects that may win sympathy and cultural plaudits, but will not build careers.

Participants will learn how to create content that functions as a strategic asset rather than vanity pieces: sharply conceived, clear on the hook, built for traction, and designed to build audience as well as industry recognition. Alongside this, the programme introduces practical, real-world monetisation and marketing pathways. Filmmakers will be shown how to build replicable IP worlds, and leverage content to approach labs, schemes and production companies.

Crucially, the programme offers privileged access to high-level industry guests from producing, talent agencies and commissioning as well as genre specialists and creative executives—who will share the inside mechanics of how emerging filmmakers actually get hired, backed and platformed. The emphasis is on sustainable career architecture: developing a recognisable creative identity, building year-on-year momentum, and navigating the industry with a strategic, long-term pathway that is intended to keep filmmakers working, visible and in the room.