TIME & LOCATION
About
Chair
SPONSOR
Panel
Co-Founder, Yolk Films
Sharon Whittaker is co-founder of Yolk Films, an independent documentary production company established in Belfast in 2025. She makes access-driven, character-led documentaries on real lives and complex social issues. Before founding Yolk, she produced documentaries and returnable series for UK broadcasters, with credits including Teen Predator / Online Killer (Broadcast Digital Awards 2025 - Best True Crime Programme; RTS NI Awards 2025) and Ride or Die (RTS NI Awards 2025 - Specialist Factual; Radio Times Readers’ Award 2026). Prior to television, Sharon worked in youth justice, children’s rights and with care-experienced young people, experience that continues to shape the stories she pursues and the contributors she works with. Yolk is currently in production on a 3 x 60’ series for BBC NI and BBC docs, with a police access series also underway.
Line Producer, Paper Owl Films
Matt Boyd is a Line Producer at Paper Owl Films with extensive experience delivering high-quality animated series including Pablo: Next Level, Li Ban, Nikhil & Jay, Happy the Hoglet and Ladybird & Bee delivering to networks such as BBC, ITV, RTÉ, Amazon, Nick JR and HBO. He specialises in managing complex production pipelines, overseeing large, multi-disciplinary teams, and ensuring projects are delivered on schedule and within budget. In his role, he works closely with creative and technical departments across all stages of production, supporting efficient workflows and maintaining high standards of delivery. Matt is also committed to developing talent within the industry, contributing to training initiatives and sharing his expertise in animation production management.
VFX Artist, Yellowmoon Post Production
Ryan Yates is a highly experienced visual effects professional with over 10 years in the industry, working at Yellowmoon Post Production in Holywood, Northern Ireland. Specialising in senior-level compositing and on-set VFX supervision, Ryan brings extensive experience across both television and film productions. His credits include acclaimed productions such as Line of Duty and Game of Thrones, combining technical expertise, creative problem-solving and a strong understanding of the visual effects process from production through to post-production.
Writer/Director
Sarah is a Belfast-based writer and director. Her first feature screenplay AONTAS (Púca Pictures) co-written with frequent writing partner Damian McCann, was selected as Ireland’s entry to the Best International Feature category at this years’ Oscars®. The film picked up 10 Best Feature Awards across the International Film Festival circuit, as well as 6 IFTA nominations, a Zebbie Award, and an RTS Best Drama nomination. Selected writing credits include CRÁ S2 (Fíbín Media), upcoming feature drama/doc MÍCHEÁL (Dearcán Media), and CBeebies’ pre-school series YUKEE (Score Draw Media). Sarah has also written and directed on CBBC’s alien comedy PICKLE STORM S2 (Blackdog Television) and JUST THE TWO OF US (BBC Arts, Lyric Theatre). Other directing work includes SPINSTER (Hat Trick) – winner of RTS Best Comedy Award. Her next feature, co-written with Damian McCann will be produced in 2027 by Púca Pictures and Fíbín Films.
Head of Skills Northern Ireland Screen
Paula is responsible for the delivery of Northern Ireland Screen’s skills development strategy overseeing all their trainee work placement & skills development programmes across 6 priority screen sectors. Paula also designed and led the transformative Creative Industries New Entrants programme (CINE), an initiative which aimed to broaden access to the screen and creative industries at entry level.