The Post & VFX Playbook: Using the UK incentives to maximise creativity

VFX and post-production are a huge part of modern filmmaking, but getting to grips with them can be daunting. This practical, producer-focused conversation aims to help demystify the post process and help you unpack how to access the UK's generous Audio-Visual Expenditure Credits for post and VFX spend.

Our expert panellists will highlight how incentives can be claimed, and explain how best to roadmap a post and VFX plan that works for both your budget and your creative ambition.

Join us afterwards for networking and refreshments: an ideal chance to connect, ask questions and explore potential creative partnerships.

Speakers:

SHOBHA CONWAY | Head of Business Development & Operations
Union VFX

COLIN KENNEDY | CEO & Founder
fixFX

CARA KOTSCHY | Co-Founder & Managing Director
Residence Pictures

STEVE MILNE | Vice-Chairman
Cinelab Film & Digital

Moderator:

NEIL HATTON | CEO
UK Screen Alliance

About the speakers:

SHOBHA CONWAY
Shobha is the Head of Business Development and Operations at Union, overseeing all prospective and in-house projects. She identifies new opportunities, scouts projects, manages initial bidding and coordinates workflows and crew planning post-securement. As the primary contact for new clients, she builds strong relationships and fosters successful collaborations. Since joining Union in 2021, Shobha has shaped the studio’s operational strategies and expanded the Operations and Business Development team, playing a key role in driving growth, and enhancing the studio's competitive edge all while staying ahead of market dynamics and innovation in VFX Technology.

COLIN KENNEDY
Colin is the CEO & Founder of fixFX (specialists in 2D VFX for film & tv) and a film director. Colin has also served on the Industry Advisory Board for Glasgow Caledonian University School of Engineering and the Built Environment, is a Trustee of Film City Futures who provide opportunities for people in the screen industries in Scotland and a member of the Visual Effects Society. Colin began his career making corporate films before moving into drama. Working with Sigma Films he directed the BAFTA winning short I Love Luci. He followed that with Swung, a feature film written by Ewan Morrison and starring Elena Anaya (The Skin I Live In), Elizabeth McGovern (Downton Abbey, Once Upon a Time in America) and Owen McDonnell (Killing Eve).

CARA KOTSCHY
Cara is a visionary business leader and strategist with more than two decades’ experience in post production. In 2022, she founded Residence Pictures to meet the evolving demands of modern content delivery by blending exceptional craft, innovative workflows, and commercial acumen to redefine industry standards. Driven by a forward-thinking mindset, Cara is building a progressive, globally focused company that remains agile and disruptive in an ever-changing market. Her approach is rooted in the belief that when businesses become static, they become stale.

STEVE MILNE
Steve joined as Vice Chairman of Cinelab in January 2024. He was CEO of Soho based Molinare from 2003 until 2010.  He returned in 2012 as Executive Chairman standing down in 2018.  He founded British Film Company in 2010 and has produced and executive produced over 40 Feature Films and Theatrical Documentaries.

NEIL HATTON
Neil has been at the heart of the UK’s screen industry for decades, serving as a director of UK Screen (now UK Screen Alliance) since its inception in 2004 and becoming CEO in 2016. A former post-production editor, business owner and pioneer of non-linear editing, he brings over 40 years of industry experience to his role as a leading advocate for the UK’s VFX, animation and post-production sectors. Neil represents the interests of around 200 member companies, working closely with government to shape policy on tax incentives and skills, including leading the successful campaign for enhanced VFX tax relief introduced in 2025. A respected industry voice, he also contributes to numerous national advisory boards and initiatives, and was awarded an MBE in the 2025 New Year Honours for his services to visual effects and animation.