United Kingdom

The UK Section holds monthly evening meetings, where we get together to socialise and discuss topics impacting our industry. Take a look at the meetings listed below, sign up and come along! Priority is given to SMPTE members, but newcomers are very welcome. At every event, there will be an interesting technically-oriented presentation, plenty of time to network with industry peers, and ample refreshments courtesy of our sponsors and supporters.

Take a look at our previous meetings to see what we've been upto! 2023 meetings | 2022 meetings | 2021 meetings

Summer Conference

SMPTE UK Media Technology Conference 2023

Join us for this amazing one-day event in partnership with Rise Up Academy, featuring the very latest in thinking in Media Technology.

This June, SMPTE in collaboration with Rise Up Academy bring you the SMPTE UK Media Technology Conference 2023. Featuring the very latest in media technology thinking, we’re bringing the best of the global SMPTE community to London to talk about the Future of Contribution, the Future of Production, The future of Distribution and perhaps most importantly The Future of Education.

Who’s it for? This conference is for people working right across the media industry, including production and distribution of film, episodic and live television, as well as streaming media. And it’s not just for seasoned industry professionals. We have a track for upcoming talent and students entering our industry. On our Explainers Stage we will detail the technologies featured in the sessions, and provide the opportunity for hands-on experience of production equipment.

Where’s it happening? The Global Academy in Hayes, a beacon of education for the next generation of media talent, located just a few minutes from Heathrow Airport and easily accessible from Central London on the new Elizabeth Line. More info here.

When’s it on? Friday 30th June 2023. Registration from 8.30am. Conference starts at 9.30am and ends at 5pm, with drinks and networking afterwards.

What does it cost? £200 for non-members. Free of charge for SMPTE members. Free of charge for 16-18 year olds. We have 275 places so get in early! Register and enjoy all the benefits of this one-day conference, including ample refreshments during the day and into the evening, courtesy of our event sponsors. If you're a student, you can join SMPTE for free and then get a free ticket - see below.

Why should I pay for a ticket? Actually we’d much prefer you to purchase SMPTE membership and then register for the conference for free as a member. SMPTE professional membership is only USD165, with discounts for graduates, students and apprentices. Click here to join. And if you're a student or apprentice and you've not been a member before, it's free for your first year! Click here to claim your free membership. But of course you may just wish to come to the conference without becoming a member, in which case we’d be delighted if you would buy a ticket for £200.

SMPTE is a members’ organisation - we gather together for community, to educate one another, and to set standards, and we'd really like you to play a part.

The benefits of SMPTE membership are vast. Whether you're a student, graduate or industry professional, there's a lot to gain. Click here to find out more! And as an extra benefit for UK tax-payers, your membership subscription can be offset against tax.

Meet the SMPTE UK Managers

SMPTE UK is run by an enthusiastic group of volunteers, all of whom have day-jobs as professionals in the Motion Picture and Television industries. SMPTE runs elections each year to appoint members to these and other leadership roles. If you'd like to help out with running SMPTE UK, or even run for election to one of these roles in a future year, come to our meetings and talk with our current Chair, John Ellerton.

We look forward to welcoming you at our next UK meeting.

We really want to hear your ideas and suggestions as we build up SMPTE UK. Feel free to get in touch if you have topics for talks you think people would be interested to hear; or a venue we could use for one of our evening meetings. We're always on the hunt for a new venue or facility to tour!

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