Creative Industries Festival puts innovation centre stage

The University of East London (UEL) placed itself at the heart of the national conversation on culture and commerce last week, as it hosted the UK’s only free Creative Industries Festival. Over four days, leading voices from publishing, film, design, gaming, fashion, broadcasting and beyond gathered across East London to share expertise, spark collaboration and equip the next generation of creatives.

The UK’s creative industries contribute more than £100 billion annually to the economy - more than automotive, aerospace and life sciences combined. Recognising that immense value, UEL established the Creative Industries Festival as an annual event to champion the sector’s contribution and ensure students and professionals alike have the skills and networks to succeed.

This year’s programme, organised by UEL’s Director of Careers and Enterprise for the School of Arts and Creative Industries, Alison Lowe MBE, spanned almost 40 sessions, with honesty, resilience and innovation recurring themes. HarperCollins author Ola Awonubi and publisher Charlotte Ledger spoke candidly about rejection and sustainability in publishing, while Ben Steel of Fashion Minority Report underlined the grit it takes to get a foot in the door: “I submitted 217 job applications, got four interviews, three rejections and finally one yes. That’s what it takes sometimes… the more no’s you get, the closer you are to a yes.”

Careers advice was delivered with refreshing directness. “Back yourself. If you don’t, why should other people?” asked Millie Bobrowski, Junior Designer at Landor, while Senior Copywriter Abbie Hughes reminded attendees that persistence is noticed, “When you get a break, whatever that may be, carry on putting in the effort… people remember when you’ve rolled your sleeves up.”

As part of Searchlight’s Which career is right for me? session, Marketing Coordinator Candace Francis-Dwyer encouraged students not to narrow their options too soon, “I took a year out to work in the industry - it helps you get a job straight after uni. Just do a bit of everything, go out and meet people… look at your expertise, what you enjoy, what you’re good at - and go from there. Don’t limit yourself.” Searchlight also hosted a CV and interview workshop, equipping attendees with practical tools to stand out in a competitive market.

Looking ahead, panels on AI revealed how technology is reshaping fashion, gaming and consumer experiences. “What will replace jobs are the humans who know how to use AI,” said Peter Jeun Ho Tsang, Founder and CEO of Beyond Form. “We’re already seeing that happen, which is why it’s good that places like UEL are starting to introduce the skills needed to survive and thrive in the job market.”

Health and well-being were also in focus. The panel, The Creative Cure, explored how embedding arts into healthcare strategies can drive real social impact, while research with English National Ballet demonstrated how careful monitoring of dancers’ workloads can support both physical and mental health. Together, these sessions highlighted that the value of creativity is measured not only in economic terms but also in its power to build resilience and transform lives.

Festival Director Alison said,

The creative industries contribute over £100 billion a year to the UK economy, but their impact goes far beyond the numbers - they shape how we see the world and how we live in it. At UEL we are proud to host the Creative Industries Festival as a space where industry leaders, students and innovators can come together, share expertise and build the skills and connections our sector needs to thrive. This festival is about celebrating what the creative industries already achieve - and ensuring their future success.”

With support from partners including BBC, Canva, Karma Drinks, East Bank, Cine Circle and London Higher, the festival underlined the scale and significance of the UK’s creative industries - and reaffirmed UEL’s commitment to placing students, practitioners and ideas at the centre of its future.

To explore the wide range of creative courses offered at UEL, visit the School of Arts and Creative Industries.