Upstream is Film London's innovative IP showcase that features early-stage projects ripe for film/TV adaptation. Starting as a speakeasy-style pitch event in 2019, it has put pathbreaking creators' projects in front of leading producers, broadcasters, streamers and games studios. Our "IPsters"--writers and creatives working in myriad disciplines (animation, books, games, illustration, podcasts, theatre to name a few)--have gone on to develop their projects with attending buyers.

Upstream has always been an annual event (read about our 2023, 2024 and 2025 events) and in 2026 Upstream will merge into our flagship production event, the Production Finance Market. Alongside this, Upstream is now a monthly subscription platform on Substack. Upstream Live subscribers will be invited to attend the central London event in October 2026.

Upstream harnesses Film London's unique position as an organisation discovering and championing new creative talent, as well as its partnerships with global creative networks, to bring you projects that capture the zeitgeist, have something vital to say and push the art of storytelling forward.

Like our Upstream events, the Substack platform is for producers, executive producers and development execs across film, TV and games, looking to expand their slate or keep up with new talent.

Paid subscribers receive new projects in their email inbox each month, while subscribers to our new premium tier, Upstream Live, also receive invites to our annual in person event, which in 2026 will be hosted within the Production Finance Market. Upstream Live subscribers will also receive guestlist spots at partner events, which recently have included the Institut Français'Shoot The Book! and Games London's Screen Play.

Our annual in person showcase for Upstream Live subscribers will feature project pitches, keynotes from industry luminaries (in 2025 we had Film4's Ollie Madden and Fleabag/Baby Reindeer producer Francesca Moody OBE) and a networking reception with attendees from the Production Finance Market and its New Talent strand.

Past IPsters have included Soho Theatre, Talawa Theatre, Norman Jay MBE, Gosh Comics, the Young Vic and many independent creators from short film, online content, illustration, podcasting and theatre, among others.

Attending buyers have included Channel 4, Tencent, Mubi, Red Bull Studios, Anonymous Content, Lionsgate, Supermassive Games, Elysian and Home Team Content.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who is Upstream for?

In short, it's for anyone looking to develop projects for film, TV or games. Our subscribers and event attendees include development executives at leading production companies as well as independent producers, broadcast commissioners and streaming execs.

How do I submit a project to Upstream?

Upstream is run with very limited resources as as such we do not have capacity to run a promoted application window. Instead, we select the majority of our projects through proactive scouting and by engaging with partner networks. However, you can apply as an individual here. (Please read the information provided carefully, ineligible submissions will not be considered.)

TESTIMONIALS

Upstream attendees have had this to say about the event:

• Upstream showcase an amazing, diverse range of projects and creatives. Some were projects I'd love to work on, all were projects I'd like to see. (2024 attendee)
• Such an important showcase for new talent! (2024 attendee)
• It was a real tonic to a jaded old soul like me to see such confident and articulate young creatives delivering their ideas. (2025 attendee)
• I thought the day was brilliant and a great format. The calibre of projects was strong, varied and could totally see a path or audience for all of them. Lots of interesting food for thought. (2025 attendee)

Past IP presenters include:

Ajuan Isaac George, who presented his debut feature, Duppy, at Upstream 2024. Ajuan teamed up with My Accomplice and then brough Duppy to the PFM New Talent strand in 2025. Duppy will be presented at Cannes Frontières in May 2026.

Enid Zentelis, who presented her podcast series, How My Grandmother Won WWII, at UPstream 2021, where she secured a development deal with (Red Arrow Studio’s) Kinetic Content to develop as a scripted project.

Enid said: "I am deeply grateful to Film London’s Upstream for inviting me to participate in this important market. As a result, I have a dream deal with wonderful partners to continue this storytelling journey about my radical ancestors.”

Alodie Fielding, who presented her illustrated story Amanita/Dark Dank Woods, at Upstream in February 2022, where it was optioned by a leading Games studio.

Alodie said: “I never even thought about my idea becoming a game, but it means that it will go off in another direction and have a life of its own. I have moved so far forward in this process, I wouldn't have believed it was possible if you told me this would happen back in August 2021."