The Screen Podcast

On this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, the CEO of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), David Austin, discusses new research into how audiences view horror, tiered fees, and working with streamers.

Senior reporter Ben Dalton chats to Austin about the latest BBFC polling which delved into how horror films should be rated in 2026.

”Sexual violence was the number one issue and people want us to classify that in a very strict way,” Austin revealed. ”We always have done but they want us to continue to classify it strictly. The second issue that people were most concerned about was suicide and self-harm.”

The duo then discussed how classification works, why streamers operate independently and the BBFC tiered fee system.

”The idea of having that tiered fee structure is that it encourages more smaller releases, independent releases,” Austin explained. “So the UK public has its widest possible choice of films that it can go and see.”

The Screen Podcast is produced by Ellie Calnan, with Wendy Mitchell serving as editorial director. New episodes every Thursday.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, we hear from the head of the UK Global Screen Fund (UKGSF) and round up the latest from the BFI London Film Festival (LFF).

First, host Wendy Mitchell is joined by Screen reporters Ellie Calnan, Mona Tabbara and Ben Dalton to discuss the industry highlights from the LFF.

Then Tabbara is joined by UKGSF director Denitsa Yordanova to delve into the £18m-a-year initiative which provides funding for international distribution, co-production and business development. She explains what producers and sales agents need to know about the revamped fund.

The Screen Podcast is produced by Ellie Calnan, with Wendy Mitchell serving as editorial director. New episodes every Thursday.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, the team looks ahead to the BFI London Film Festival, which kicked off last night (October 7) and runs until October 18.

Host Wendy Mitchell is joined by awards and box office editor Charles Gant to discuss his interview with festival director Kristy Matheson, which covered landing world premieres, how the event fits into the awards circuit, and what recent funding changes mean for the LFF.

Then, Screen’s reviews editor Nikki Baughan highlights some UK titles to look out for at the festival, including Billy Lumby’s 'Florid' and 'Black Church Bay' with Tom Cullen and Joe Locke.

This week’s episode is sponsored by Rome Film Fest, which runs October 13-25.

The Screen Podcast is produced by Ellie Calnan, with Wendy Mitchell serving as editorial director. New episodes every Thursday.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, the team looks back on Screen International’s ‘Financing the Future of UK Film’ summit, which brought together major industry figures to discuss the state of the UK indie sector.

Host and Screen’s editor-in-chief Matt Mueller is joined by deputy editor Louise Tutt and senior reporter, UK & international Ben Dalton to discuss what themes emerged from the panels, including the importance of angel investors and the need for more tax relief.

The Screen Summit took place on September 29 at the BFI Southbank.

The Screen Podcast is produced by Ellie Calnan, with Wendy Mitchell serving as editorial director. New episodes every Thursday.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, the team reveals how Screen’s UK & Ireland Stars of Tomorrow are chosen, and we hear the latest from the San Sebastian film festival.

Host Wendy Mitchell is joined by Screen editor-in-chief Matt Mueller and box office and awards editor Charles Gant to discuss this year’s Stars of Tomorrow cohort and go behind-the-scenes of the selection process.

Then, Screen’s Europe editor Tim Dams talks to Spain correspondent Elisabet Cabeza in San Sebastian as the festival draws to a close. The duo discussed the buzzy Spanish films at the event, festival director José Luis Rebordinos’ legacy, and highlights from the Creative Investors’ Conference.

This week’s episode is sponsored by the Spain Film Commission, which works to showcase Spanish talent, locations, and incentives to the international audiovisual industry.

The Screen Podcast is produced by Ellie Calnan, with Wendy Mitchell serving as editorial director. New episodes every Thursday.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.