Director of the BFI Film Fund, Ben Roberts will deliver the keynote address at the Film London Production Finance Market (PFM) on 17 October.

Taking place over two days (17-18 October) in association with the 56th BFI London Film Festival, the PFM returns for its sixth edition.

In his keynote address, Roberts, who is responsible for the UK's largest public film fund  -  currently at £18m per year and set to rise to £24m by 2017 - will share his vision for the future, as well as his extensive knowledge and expertise gained from over 15 years working across international sales, studio acquisitions, UK distribution and film finance. 

Joining Roberts at this year's Market, Stephen Woolley (Number 9 Films), David Parfitt (Trademark Films), Peter Watson (Recorded Picture Company/HanWay Films) and Andrea Calderwood (Slate Films) will make up the Senior Producer Panel at the Market. They will analyse the challenges producers face in making product that is aimed at the international market, as well as sharing views on how the UK can develop stronger international relationships under the new UK funding system.

Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London and the British Film Commission said: "I am delighted Ben Roberts will be our keynote speaker this year. Coupled with some of our most successful home-grown film-makers on the producer panel, the PFM will give attendees a taste of how the UK industry will effectively engage with the international industry in the future."

Also this year the PFM has attracted a number of new territories including Turkey, Finland and the Czech Republic, whilst new partnerships with the Nordic Co-Production Market at the Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund and PRIMEXCHANGE's Film Bazaar in Goa were announced earlier this year.

Wootton continued: "Year on year we have worked hard to make this event truly international, believing better engagement outside of the UK will only strengthen our domestic industry; contributing to supporting growth of UK companies, allowing them to develop their content, expand their operations and create jobs."

Running since 2007, previous delegates have paid overwhelming testimony to the strategic role the market now plays in the annual film calendar, with 90% of Financiers returning in 2012.

More than 52 producers will present projects with €305m of production value this year, up from €245m in 2011.  Companies presenting projects include Lumière & Co., Morena Films, MRP Matila Röhr Productions, SamFilm GmbH, Corona Pictures, Forthcoming Films and Rockabill Media.

Of the 54 financiers attending, there are leading private equity firms, tax-structured financiers, sale companies, distributors and public and broadcaster representatives.

Leading companies attending include Fox International Productions, Endgame Entertainment, Universal Pictures International, Entertainment One and Lionsgate.

From Europe Films Distribution (France), Rai Cinema (Italy), Dynamo Capital (Spain), Backup Media Group (Belgium), Bavaria Pictures GmbH (Germany) and TF1 Droits Audiovisuels (France) are among the financiers.

The PFM is dedicated to encouraging new film financing relationships by facilitating 800 face-to-face meetings and a further 300 financier-to-financier meetings. The Market delivers results which range from starting new business relationships to attaching international sales companies and securing various forms of investments in companies and film projects.

The Film London Production Finance Market 2012 is supported by the BFI, the Mayor of London, MEDIA and UK Trade & Investment.