BRAVA, a leading provider of high-quality coaching in the art and business of voice, is proud to announce a new partnership with Films @ 59, Bristol’s premier film and television studio complex.
This collaboration will see Films @ 59 provide world-class studio facilities for BRAVA’s extensive programme of group voice acting workshops and masterclasses, further strengthening Bristol and the South West as a global hub for voice excellence.
BRAVA is renowned for bringing the very best voice coaches from around the globe to Bristol and the South West, offering elite-level training that spans performance, technique, and the commercial realities of the voice industry. Through this partnership, Films @ 59 now offers the ideal environment to combine dynamic workout sessions with professional studio recording, giving participants a seamless, industry-relevant training experience.
The partnership enables BRAVA to deliver its workshops and masterclasses in fully equipped, high-spec studio spaces, allowing artists to train, record, and refine their craft in facilities used by leading productions across film, television, and voice media.
Melissa Thom, CEO of BRAVA, said:
“This partnership with Films @ 59 is a hugely exciting step for BRAVA. Our mission has always been to provide world-class voice coaching and to make Bristol and the South West a destination for excellence in the industry. Having access to such outstanding studio facilities means our artists can train and record at the highest professional level, right here at home. Together, we’re not just serving our local community, we’re putting Bristol firmly on the global voice map.”
Films @ 59, widely recognised for its state-of-the-art studios and commitment to creative excellence, sees the partnership as a natural alignment of values and ambition.
George Panayiotou, Business Director at Films @ 59, commented:
“We’re delighted to welcome BRAVA to Films @ 59. Their reputation for attracting the highest quality coaches and nurturing exceptional voice talent perfectly complements our facilities and our commitment to supporting the creative industries in Bristol and the South West. By bringing training, workouts, and professional recording together under one roof, we’re helping to elevate the region’s profile and showcase it as a serious global player in the voice and screen industries.”
Together, BRAVA and Films @ 59 aim to create a best-in-class training environment that supports emerging and established voice artists alike, strengthens the regional creative economy, and positions Bristol and the South West as an international centre for voice talent, innovation, and opportunity.
BRAVA’s series of advanced masterclasses will take place throughout 2026.
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A new podcast series, Nothing, Something Nothing, has launched from Nine Tree Studios, Bristol.
The series explores how people approach creativity, are inspired, and develop their creative practice.
It’s about the creative moments you didn’t know you missed. It’s about the space between ideas, and the highs and lows that shape creative work.
It’s sector-agnostic with some high-calibre guests from the worlds of music, food, art, business and design.
Season 1’s guests include Lee Kiernan (Guitarist, IDLES), Calum Franklin (Restaurateur, Harrods), and Alex Rodrigues (Producer/Director, Channel 4).
And – as a Bristol Creative Industries exclusive – the podcast will also be dropping an episode with Mike Bailey (Actor/Teacher), known for his role as Sid in Skins.
New episodes drop every Wednesday on your favourite platform; visit www.nsnpodcast.com to listen and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, as well as on social.
The podcast has launched from production company JonesMillbank and Nine Tree Studios, with recording currently taking place in Bristol.
***
JonesMillbank are a full-service production company based at Nine Tree Studios, their 10,000sq ft film studio.
Producing branded content, TV ads and social content their clients include local, global and household brands such as Dyson, Freixenet, DHL, Oxfam, Pukka and Vax.
jonesmillbank.com
01173706372
[email protected]
In November 2024, Emma Rose, Centre Manager at the University of Bristol‘s Bristol Centre for Supercomputing (BriCS), asked us to film the arrival of four shipping containers to a building site. This was no ordinary cargo, but the heart of the UK’s fastest AI supercomputer – the £225 million Isambard-AI.
At the mercy of snowy weather and construction logistics, we scheduled a 3 day window to get the shots we needed. Keen to add value and variety for the client, we filmed from the ground and the air. We also set up a portable edit suite in an office in the neighbouring National Composites Centre for fast turnaround edits for social media.
Day one, the snow fell, the camera people filmed, the editor edited and we had a nice 20 second piece to be published on socials on the same day that one of the four containers was craned into place. We even managed a shot of a snowman. Day two, the sun shone and the remaining containers were installed. Day three, we cancelled the final day shoot and instead, back in the office, finished the fast and furious 45 secs story of the build socials piece. Hats off to our in-house editor Nick O’Leary for a top job.
When the University of Bristol posted this film, it outperformed all other content on their social channels within the last 12 months. RESULT!
Since then, in collaboration with new BriCS Communications Manager Emily Coles, we have returned to the NCC site on numerous occasions to film key moments in the installation, typically shooting video and stills at the same time. The drone has been up for a wider view. We’ve shot stills of the key movers and shakers from Hewlett Packard Enterprises and BriCS boss Simon McIntosh-Smith and in March filmed the installation of the actual computer itself, now sitting snugly in a data centre constructed from the shipping containers.
We’ve also workshopped and scripted upcoming Hero and About Us films, which we’ll shoot once the scaffolding is down later in the summer, and attended the Isambard Day conference, with supercomputer experts from around the world, to immerse ourselves in the world of AI and its fascinating use cases, which was great for originating loads of new content ideas to suggest to the client.
All in all, it’s been a fantastic project so far and the perfect fit for us as science and tech content producers who feel personally invested in promoting our region’s innovators and pioneers. Our video production agency has grown from 3 to 7 staff over the last 18 months – meaning we have the capacity to rapidly deploy on jobs both large – like a video strategy for a suite of films, or small – such as sending out a lone videographer for a ‘quick and dirty’ social reel.
This project has also helped to push the boundaries in terms of our shooting and editing style with the high energy final build films (60 sec and 90 secs versions) complete with hyperlapses, super fast cuts and a number of more conventional edits for web headers and conference films. Shout out to Lobster Pictures Ltd. for their timelapses of the whole build from empty car park to finished supercomputer and to Oakland Construction Ltd. for accommodating our film crews.
Thanks to the Isambard-AI team of Emily Coles, Emma Rose and Simon McIntosh-Smith from BriCS and good luck for the big launch of Isambard-AI in a couple of weeks!
Web developers, digital innovators and tech professionals are gearing up for the sixth annual Umbraco Spark innovation conference, returning to Bristol this spring at We The Curious on Friday 20 March 2026. Organised by Bristol digital agency Gibe Digital, the event has become a fixture for developers from across the UK and Europe to share insights, ideas and practical knowledge around the open‑source Umbraco CMS and broader .NET ecosystem
Speaking about the conference, Steve Temple, Technical Director and Co‑founder of Gibe Digital, describes Spark as “a calendar highlight” that brings together “so many talented developers from the amazing Umbraco community.” Steve adds that the event leaves attendees “feeling inspired, armed with fresh knowledge to take your Umbraco projects to the next level.”
This year’s programme features a single main track of deep‑dive technical talks, practical demos and forward‑thinking sessions on topics such as load‑balancing for scalable apps, Umbraco Search, next‑generation back‑office features, and experimenting with AI‑driven accessibility tools.
Schedule Highlights:
Thursday, 19 March – The day before the main conference kicks off with a full-day Hackathon & Package Jam for the community, followed by a pre-party at a local game bar with ping pong, bowling, karaoke, food and drinks.
Friday, 20 March – A Harbour Run at 7 AM starts the day, followed by registration with coffee and pastries. The main track runs 9 AM–5:30PM, featuring technical talks, lightning sessions and demos. The Package Awards celebrate standout contributions, and the day wraps up with an after-party. Attendees also benefit from lunch, refreshments, a free cloakroom, and quiet/multi-faith rooms to support wellbeing.
Tickets & Pricing: Standard tickets cost £150 + VAT, available until the end of February or until sold out. Grab your ticket here.
Umbraco Spark continues to cement Bristol’s status as a hub for creative tech events — combining local community energy with the global expertise of the Umbraco ecosystem.
Omni Productions has been appointed by AXA to develop a global, video-led workplace training programme to help organisations better support employees affected by domestic and sexual violence.
Built around drama-led films and expert interviews, Safe Spaces translates complex subject matter into accessible training for employees across multiple markets. Omni led the creative development from research and scripting through to production, shaping the narratives to be engaging, human-centred, and effective for global workplace training.
The programme builds on AXA’s long-standing ‘We Care’ initiative and its commitment to employee protection. Domestic and sexual violence affects millions of people each year, with the workplace often serving as a safe space outside the home. In England and Wales alone, an estimated 2.3 million people experience domestic violence and abuse annually, placing employers in a unique position to recognise warning signs and offer support.
The campaign is built around the Recognise, Respond, Refer (3R) framework, which underpins the films and learning content. Rather than focusing on awareness alone, the programme demonstrates what action looks like in real workplace situations to help employees recognise signs of abuse, respond appropriately and direct people to specialist support.
Omni’s role was to translate that ambition into a campaign that people would engage with. Working closely with AXA’s HR, inclusion and communications teams as a strategic partner, Omni’s brief was to turn a highly sensitive topic into training that is human, practical and ethically produced.
Video and drama-led storytelling was chosen to engage audiences emotionally, helping them understand lived experiences without sensationalism.
All stories, scripts, drama scenarios and supporting interviews were developed through an expert-led process. Omni worked alongside domestic abuse experts, NGOs and survivor-support organisations to ensure accuracy, cultural sensitivity and relevance to workplace contexts.
Sam Hearn, co-founder and managing director at Omni, said: “This type of work sits at the heart of what we do. Safe Spaces shows the power of human storytelling when addressing complex subjects such as domestic and sexual violence. Drama allows people to understand context and connect emotionally, which is essential for a subject like this. Each film was shaped in close collaboration with people with lived experience and sector specialists, whose insights were essential to keep the stories authentic.
As an agency, we aim to create work that truly matters, and our B Corp values guide how we approach sensitive topics to ensure they are both responsible and impactful. Partnering with AXA, we set out to create training that could genuinely change how people recognise and respond to abuse in the workplace.”
Safe Spaces is rolling out globally in phases, with content currently available in 11 languages and further versions in development. The assets integrate into local learning systems, allowing pledged organisations to deliver the training in ways that suit their workforce.
Early engagement on the Safe Spaces platform shows a strong impact, with high numbers of returning visitors. Safe Spaces has already been adopted by organisations beyond AXA, with further companies confirming participation, including L’Oreal, Accor, Engie, LVMH, Orange and Publicis France.
Kirsty Leivers, chief culture, inclusion and diversity officer at AXA, said: “Working with Omni on Safe Spaces has been a collaborative and creative process. From the outset, the team demonstrated a deep understanding of the sensitivity and importance of this subject, approaching every stage with empathy and creativity. The result is a powerful and accessible platform that supports our shared commitment to building more supportive workplaces.”
The project also highlights that human storytelling remains critical in an AI-first era. While automation is reshaping content production, Safe Spaces demonstrates how drama-led video allows employees to connect with real experiences to build empathy and the confidence to act.
Hearn added: “Although AI is changing how content is made, sensitive issues still need human insight and care. Safe Spaces shows how video can make complex topics tangible and actionable, even at a global scale.”
The programme is designed to evolve, with AXA and Omni exploring further developments across 2026, ensuring the training continues to deliver measurable impact across global workplaces.
Last week, the Gather Round at Brunswick Square was buzzing. A packed room, a hum of anticipation, and a palpable sense that something meaningful was about to unfold as we kicked off the third year of our award-winning series, Gather Round Presents.
From the very first moment, the evening invited us into stories that stretched beyond words on a page. Our panellists didn’t just tell stories: they cracked them open. Stories of human understanding, our relationship with the world around us, and the narratives we carry about ourselves and others. Together, they explored how the past can be re-examined, reshaped, and used to imagine new futures and how powerful it feels when those stories land.
Sara Joyner, Senior Podcast Producer, opened the evening and wasted no time pulling us in. What began with a slightly shocking story instantly had the room leaning forward, unsure where it might lead. But that uncertainty quickly turned into delight as Sara revealed her craft with warmth, humour, and total ease.
With sticky notes representing three characters in an upcoming podcast, Sara physically rearranged the facts in front of us, showing, in real time, how a story can be subtly shaped. Laughter rippled through the audience as she explained, with playful honesty, how she “manipulates” the listener.
As the audience was invited to guess where the story was heading, there was a collective realisation: context is everything. By withholding or revealing certain details, a story and a person can be perceived in entirely different ways. Sara’s delivery was disarming and deeply engaging, leaving us entertained, slightly unsettled, and newly aware of how easily we’re led… often without noticing.
Connect with Sara on LinkedIn or check out her web page for more info on her work.
Dan Caulfield, Film Director and Storyteller at Enviral, followed and had us hooked within seconds. He began with what felt like a deeply emotional story: a grieving father, a lost child, and an epic journey born of love and loss. The room softened.
And then, laughter erupted.
The characters were revealed to be Marlin and Nemo. Pixar, of course. A collective groan, smile, and appreciation washed across the room.
He wasn’t done yet. The second story, a tender, hilarious retelling of a tale once told to him by his Irish grandad in a pub, had us in stitches. Dan described piecing together meaning from thick accents, facial expressions, and half-heard words, transporting us back to a time when storytelling was something you felt as much as heard.
Behind the humour was something deeper. Dan spoke passionately about the ancient tradition of oral storytelling and the responsibility of keeping it alive. Though he works in marketing, this wasn’t a sales pitch. It was human.
Stories, he reminded us, exist everywhere across cultures, languages, and generations. They shape who we believe we are. They can fuel fear… or they can bring us together. As the laughter settled, the room grew reflective. Dan invited us to consider the stories we tell ourselves about identity, worth, and belonging. Food for thought that lingered long after he left the stage.
Follow Dan on Instagram or connect with him on LinkedIn to see more of his work.
Ghostwriter and part-time stand-up comedian Nick Anderson Vines carried us into the first break and promptly had the room roaring. Sharp, self-aware, and genuinely funny, Nick brought a different energy while still keeping storytelling firmly at the centre.
He spoke about how he works LinkedIn with refreshing honesty, unpacking how to attract clients while still telling meaningful stories. When ChatGPT entered the scene in 2023, Nick admitted it shook the writing world fear, uncertainty, and the sense that everything might change overnight.
But then came the shift. Opportunity. A return to craft. Writing more. Writing better.
Nick’s passion was contagious. In a fast-moving digital landscape, he argued, stories are what stops the scroll. They’re what make us care. Using the pull of before and after, and reframing narratives with intention, Nick left us laughing — and quietly fired up to rethink how we tell stories online.
Connect with Nick on LinkedIn to hear more about his work.
Rosa ter Kuile, known as RTiiiKA, gently reset the room as the only visual artist on the panel. Her presence felt grounding, inviting us to slow down and see stories differently.
Rosa spoke about storytelling beyond words: through murals, characters, and playful alter egos. From the giant foyer mural at Bristol Beacon to the personas she created and played in videos to tell her story – ‘Grinder Guy’ and her ‘own agent’. She showed how storytelling can be both strategic and deeply personal and sometimes with a touch of humour. These characters, she explained, often became the most compelling part of her work — a way to narrate process, vulnerability, and creativity in real time.
As Rosa shared the recurring themes that shape her art: sexuality, falling in love, road signs, bikes (and more) the message became clear: stories exist everywhere. Some shout. Others whisper. It’s up to us to notice them.
Follow Rosa on Instagram to see more of her creations or connect with her on LinkedIn.
Mark DeLisser stepped onto the stage and immediately stilled the room opening with a poem from his new book, Ashes to the Breeze.
Mark spoke about his deep relationship with the natural world, and the idea that while he writes stories, often as poems, he is also being storied. By landscapes. By relationships. By life itself. There was a quiet reverence in his words as he described knowing he is part of something far bigger, a story that began before him and will continue long after.
He spoke of listening to the body while writing, noticing moments of tightening, softening, longing — and allowing those sensations to guide the words. Poetry, he said, comes from slowing down and noticing, not forcing meaning into existence.
Sharing two poems: Your Name and The Stories We Tell. Mark echoed something Dan had said earlier: the importance of telling stories about what we want to be true. Stories that interrupt the constant stream of horror and remind us of other ways of living. In that moment, it felt like the room was breathing together inspired, hopeful, and deeply moved.
You can buy Mark’s book Ashes to the breeze in Waterstones.
And follow him on Instagram to hear more of his beautiful words.
With just 24 hours’ notice, Kendra Futcher OG Cigar Factory member closed the evening, and what a closing it was. Ever-eloquent, deeply present, and emotionally generous, Kendra held the room with quiet power.
A self-described writer, thinker, and noticer, she spoke about paying attention to the smallest details: the inflection of a voice, a texture, a sound, the scrunch of a nose. This practice of noticing, she shared, became vital during Covid a way to stay alive to the world and to herself.
Kendra spoke about vulnerability as the beating heart of storytelling. Emotional honesty, she reminded us, is what truly connects people. Words can divide but they can also unite.
She spoke of her collection of photographs from protests placards filled with raw, urgent language that has so inspired her. She shared two poems with us – the first, Monobrow, about her daughter, silenced the room completely. It was her first time reading the poem aloud, and the moment felt sacred. You could feel the tears, the tenderness, the shared humanity.
For Kendra, truth is freedom. And that, she believes, is the essence of storytelling.
Follow Kendra on Instagram or connect with her on LinkedIn or have a look at her website to read more about her many skills.
Our beautiful event space at Brunswick Square is available for hire, email Hannah on [email protected] for more info and come and host your event at our place!
Follow us on Instagram for more stories from our creative community and if you want to come and join us, we’re currently offering 30% off for 3 x months if you join before 28th February 2026,more info on our offer page.
As proud members of Bristol Creative Industries, Bristol24/7 would like to extend an invite to fellow BCI members to their upcoming Bristol Legends event at Ashton Gate on 6th March. This is a new initiative to celebrate the city and raise vital funds for independent journalism, social impact projects as well as for AntiBanquet and the work they do to tackle food insecurity in the city.
Bristol Legends will be an incredible celebration of Bristol’s culture, creativity, innovation, positivity and its many incredible communities. It will feature a three-course dinner from Josh Eggleton, the AntiBanquet team and other top Bristol chefs; a very special award show hosted by Jayde Adams; some amazing Bristol performers; and quite a few surprises along the way. The room will be full of 750 people from Bristol businesses and beyond, including some of the city’s leaders in culture, innovation, sustainability, community and beyond.
Bristol24/7 are now looking to engage individuals and businesses who are in a position to take tickets or a table at the event or to donate tickets or table to those who can’t afford to attend. We’re delighted to be able to offer a discount on full tables for BCI members. Please get in touch will [email protected] if you’d be interested in joining us. In the true spirit of collaboration, members may like to come together and purchase a combined BCI table or two…
The awards show will be followed by a party in a transformed concourse which will include some truly legendary Bristol bands and djs, a full spectacular show from the Invisible Circus set to a live musical score, holograms of local heroes of the past and a very special guest. Separate tickets for the Bristol Legends Party can be purchased here.
A legendary evening awaits…
Bristol, UK – January 2026 — Ignition DG Ltd, the Bristol-based strategic events and exhibitions agency, as part of Istoria Group, today announces significant business growth. From expanded global reach to continued leadership, Ignition DG continues to generate impressive results in the sector.
Founded in 2007 with a mission to challenge traditional “build and burn” event practices, Ignition DG has grown into an award-winning creative agency known for blending strategic planning with world-class delivery.
Global Growth
Ignition DG designs and delivers hundreds of exhibitions and event programmes each year – serving clients across pharmaceutical, beauty, biotech, aerospace and technology sectors.
To support recent successes, Ignition DG ended 2025 with the opening of a new European office. With strategic hubs and warehouse facilities now established across the UK, EU and the US, Ignition’s global growth goes from strength to strength. Paired with trusted partners across Asia, the Middle East and South America, the business has consolidated its ability to support global programmes with local expertise.
Client Success
From complex exhibition portfolios and major congresses, Ignition’s work emphasises strategic intent, creative innovation, and seamless project management – underpinning sustained client retention and growth.
Alongside continued client success, Ignition has won awards for booth designs, creative event executions, and bespoke modular solutions that deliver high impact and cost efficiencies for global brands.
With recent client wins, Ignition has attracted new talent to the company, seeing a 19% increase in employees throughout 2025.
Innovation Through Change
In recent years, the company has responded to shifts in the events landscape by scaling its digital and hybrid capabilities. This adaptability has reinforced client partnerships, enabling Ignition DG to deliver hundreds of virtual events and hybrid programmes that seamlessly blend creativity with technology.
Innovation continues to be part of Ignition’s DNA. New strategic capabilities, such as building exhibition attractors in-house, are being launched, alongside medical content writing as a service.
Looking Ahead
“We’re proud of the sustained growth we’ve achieved while staying true to our founding values,” said Sam Rowe, CEO of Ignition DG. “Our team’s focus on creativity and strategic excellence has allowed us to support clients around the world with meaningful, measurable experiences.”
With continued investments in strategic solutions, talent and technology, Ignition DG is poised to grow further into 2026 and beyond. The company remains committed to helping clients across regulated industries to create impactful live experiences that drive business results without compromising environmental or ethical standards.
For media enquiries, please contact:
[email protected]
Television celebrates its centenary today — one hundred years since John Logie Baird’s first live TV demonstration in London in January 1926. From those flickering images to today’s ultra‑thin, networked screens, TV has evolved through broadcast, multichannel, digital and IP eras to become a global medium shaping culture, politics and daily life. Yet the transformation now underway promises greater disruption than the previous century combined.
RedSquid describes 2026–2036 as the age of cognitive television — where fast fibre broadband and in‑device AI enable entirely new forms of home entertainment. Most current industry debates focus on using AI to do existing things faster and cheaper. But the real impact will come from enabling new experiences never imagined before.
A critical question is where the AI processing sits. While much attention is on generative AI in the cloud, the equally profound change will come from small AI models running directly inside the TV. Edge AI capabilities will make it possible to personalise storylines, enable cloud gaming, volumetric sports, mixed‑reality watch parties and new ad formats — all running natively on the big screen. The TV will become the household’s primary edge AI node, shifting value to whoever owns the intelligence layer between viewer and screen. RedSquid demos at CES this year showed the TV programme being modified as it was being watched. An industry first.
As the modern television merges fully with the internet, control has begun to shift from broadcasters and Pay‑TV operators to smart TV platform owners. Losing this control would be catastrophic for Europe’s media and telecoms industries, eroding telcos’ differentiation in broadband. Yet two powerful trends — the rise of in‑device AI and the move from aerial to broadband delivery — could return that power to Europe’s broadcasters, telcos and content makers if they act fast.
This decade marks television’s “iPhone moment.” Just as smartphones redefined telephony through software and intelligence, cognitive TV will transform the screen into an adaptive, conversational environment connecting content, commerce, communication and the connected home.
For content creators this creates new opportunities and threats. Get involved and lead the cognitive content era, or let someone else take the lead on that!
For telcos and media groups, this is both an existential threat and an extraordinary opportunity. By embracing and leading the cognitive television era, telcos can become the next generation of industry leaders.
The lesson from Nokia’s fall is clear: knowing disruption is coming is not enough — acting in time is what defines who leads next.
For those who want to know more, a White Paper is available on RedSquid Website.
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