TIME & LOCATION
About
Chair
SPONSOR
Panel
Filmmaker, Journalist, Zandland
Ben Zand is an award-winning British-Iranian filmmaker, journalist, and storyteller from Liverpool. Known for his bold, unfiltered approach to documentary filmmaking, Ben’s work dives into the lives of some of the world’s most controversial figures and subcultures With groundbreaking documentaries like The Secret World of Incels and KINGPINS, he brings audiences to the fringes of society, to places and people often hidden from view. As the founder and CEO of ZANDLAND—a pioneering multi-channel production company based in Liverpool and London—Ben leads a team dedicated to high-impact storytelling with a global reach. He’s previously worked making documentaries for BBC Studios and was the Editor and Head of BBC’s mobile documentary bureau, BBC Pop Up. From investigating global crime networks to intimate interviews with influential, dangerous, and enigmatic figures, Ben’s fearless filmmaking has earned him a reputation for captivating and boundary-pushing journalism.
Digital Commissioning Executive Unscripted, BBC
Maeve McLoughlin is a Digital Commissioning Executive for Factual at the BBC, working across BBC factual genres and BBC Three and Youth Audiences. She commissions and develops original digital-first content and talent-led formats for iPlayer, YouTube, and social platforms, with a focus on reaching under-35s through innovative storytelling. Maeve has overseen digital companion projects for major factual and entertainment brands including Race Across the World, Sort Your Life Out, Springwatch and Therapy with Matt & Emma Willis, and is at the forefront of the BBC’s next-gen editorial strategy — from creator-led ideas, to immersive content extensions, to new short-form factual strands. Prior to joining the BBC, Maeve worked at Channel 4 on its branded content slate for 4Studio, developing partnerships between broadcasters, talent and advertisers. She is also a former Vice Chair of RTS NI, current RTS ROI Awards judge, and an RTS Awards committee member. Alongside her commissioning role, Maeve is passionate about creating pathways for emerging talent in Northern Ireland’s screen industry and champions digital storytelling that reflects a diverse, modern UK.
Senior Commissioning Editor and Business Operations Lead, Digital, Channel 4
Laura Marks is Senior Digital Commissioner and Senior Operations Lead at Channel 4 and works across Original and Branded Entertainment content. Laura has been responsible for digital successes such as Kingpin Cribs, UK Prisons: Inside Survival, Mission Accessible, Unseen Kingdoms, Nasty Neighbours, Would You Rather, How To Get Rich, The B@it, True Stories and The Boy Who Climbed The Shard. Laura previously acted as Nations and Regions Exec at the Channel, nurturing indies in the Digital, Entertainment and Comedy space. Previous to working at C4, Laura was the Commissioning Editor at BBC Three, working with independent production companies in the UK across all genres. Laura was responsible for shows such as Big Narsties Lets Settle This, Supercar Superfam, Sex Robots and Us, The Naked Truth, Too Fat For Love?, Face the Consequences and The Comedy Quickies. She was previously a comedy producer with BBC Studios, producing Bafta nominated Still Game Live for BBC One, 3 Kids on Three, short form comedy strand Short Stuff, BBC Comedy Presents and Supernatural Square Go.
Documentary Campus
A highly experienced Commissioning Editor and Executive Producer, specialising in multiplatform and digital-first content. He is Head of Documentary Campus Masterschool in Berlin, a prestigious documentary incubator. He has won over 90 international awards for his productions, incl. 6 BAFTAs, an Emmy, 3 Royal Television Society awards & the Grand Award at the New York International Film & TV Festival. He has been a Commissioning Editor at CAA (L.A.), Channel 4 (London), Red Bull Media House (Salzburg) & Little Dot Studios (London).