The Creative Industries Festival 2025 is set to take place from 10 – 13 February at Oxford Brookes University, bringing together creative minds from across disciplines to explore the challenges, opportunities, and cultural impact of the creative industries.
Hosted by the Creative Industries Research and Innovation Network at Oxford Brookes University, this four-day festival will feature 26 researchers and creative practitioners across 10 thought-provoking events. The programme includes interactive workshops, panel discussions, research showcases, screenings, and networking opportunities, offering an in-depth look at the realities of the creative sector in an ever-changing world.
From the impact of artificial intelligence on digital aesthetics to mentorship in creative careers and archiving African Caribbean heritage, this festival is designed for artists, educators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and anyone passionate about creativity.
Festival Themes: Reality, Opportunity, and Reflection
The festival will examine not only the economic contributions of the creative industries but also their role in shaping cultural landscapes and society. It will highlight key themes such as:
- The rise of digital technologies and AI in creative fields
- The precarity of work in the gig economy and beyond
- The importance of mentorship and networking for diversity and inclusion
- The role of historical archives and storytelling in shaping creative identity
Festival Highlights: What’s On at Brookes University
Day 1: Online Programme (10 February 2025)
For those who prefer to join remotely, Day 1 offers a series of virtual sessions, exploring topics such as composing for immersive environments, mentoring in the creative industries, and the impact of AI on sound and image.
The Art of Immersion: Composing for Theme Parks
- Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
- A Q&A with Olivia Zorab, exploring the role of music in immersive entertainment experiences.
Getting the Best Out of Coaching and Mentoring in the Creative Industries
- Time: 12:00pm – 1:15pm
- A discussion with Katie Thomson Greene, CEO of the Creative Mentor Network, on the role of mentoring in shaping inclusive leaders.
Synthetic Realities: AI and Digital Collaboration
- Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
- Artist James Irwin examines AI’s role in computational aesthetics and digital media.
The Future of Digital is Not Coding: Interactive Workshop
- Time: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
- A hands-on workshop exploring the rise of no-code technology in the creative sector.
Day 2: Festival on Campus (11 February 2025)
Live events at Headington Hill Hall will focus on the evolving creative landscape, including film, television, and networking culture.
Keynote: Levelling Up the Screen Industries – Film and Television
- Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm
- Dr Mark McKenna shares research on regional film and TV production as a regenerative strategy.
Institutions of Social Contact in an Age of Networking: A Long Table Discussion
- Time: 3:00pm – 4:00pm
- A collaborative discussion hosted by Laura Jagger and Natasha Eves, exploring access, encounters, and public space in the arts.
Day 3: Festival on Campus (12 February 2025)
A day of research-led discussions and creative engagement, including workshops on archiving African Caribbean histories and women in the film industry.
A Place for We: Engaging with the Archives of African Caribbean Oxford
- Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
- A hands-on workshop exploring community storytelling and the history of African Caribbean Oxford.
Women in the Italian Film Industry
- Time: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
- A research panel discussing the contributions and challenges faced by women in Italian cinema.
Day 4: Student Programme (13 February 2025)
The final day showcases student-led research and film screenings, celebrating emerging creative voices.
TAP the Audience Project: Research Showcase
- Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm
- A student-led session exploring audience research, from cinema heritage to digital fan communities.
It’s Yours: Hip-Hop and the Internet
- Time: 4:00pm – 5:30pm
- A documentary screening on how the internet shaped modern hip-hop, featuring pioneers like Wiz Khalifa and Odd Future.
Get Involved
The Brookes University Creative Industries Festival 2025 is a must-attend event for anyone interested in the future of the creative industries.
For more details or to book a session, email creativeindustries@brookes.ac.uk.
