Scotland’s screen sector is set for a major spotlight moment as the Creative Cities Convention 2027 officially names Glasgow as its next host city. At a time when the UK television and media landscape is shifting, the announcement positions Glasgow at the center of industry conversations about commissioning, production growth, skills development, and the future of content across TV, digital, and games.
The move is especially notable because it comes as the long-running TV Festival relocates south after decades in Scotland. That change has created fresh space for the Creative Cities Convention 2027 to step forward as one of the most closely watched gatherings for regional media leaders, broadcasters, producers, commissioners, and creatives across the UK.
Creative Cities Convention 2027 will take place in Glasgow
The Creative Cities Convention 2027 is scheduled for May 19 and 20 at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall, with support from Screen Scotland. Organizers have also confirmed that the event will expand to a full two-day format, signaling bigger ambitions for a convention that has steadily grown in relevance within the TV and video industries.
This edition of the convention will ask a timely question for the sector: if British commissioners are buying less, who else is buying? That theme reflects a wider market reality. Broadcasters, streamers, indie producers, and rights holders are all navigating tighter budgets, changing audience habits, and increasing pressure to find new buyers, partners, and international pathways to growth.
By bringing the conversation to Glasgow, the Creative Cities Convention 2027 also highlights Scotland’s increasing importance as a production base and creative hub with global potential.
Why Glasgow matters for TV and video in 2027
Glasgow is more than just a venue choice. It is a city with deep creative infrastructure, a strong production culture, and a growing reputation across scripted television, factual entertainment, digital media, and games. For industry professionals, the decision to stage the Creative Cities Convention 2027 in Glasgow sends a clear message: regional production centers are no longer on the sidelines of the UK screen economy.
Scotland’s appeal includes:
- Established studio and production capabilities
- A strong talent pipeline across television, journalism, and digital media
- Internationally recognized creative output in drama and unscripted formats
- A games sector with major cultural and commercial influence
- Public sector backing through organizations such as Screen Scotland
Creative director Sarah Wood emphasized that Scotland produces world-class work across genres, from drama and unscripted programming to digital storytelling and gaming. That broad creative identity makes Glasgow a fitting home for a convention focused on the changing business of content.
Who will appear at Creative Cities Convention 2027?
The event is set to welcome a familiar and respected lineup of hosts and speakers. Journalist and broadcaster Mobeen Azhar will return as host, while acclaimed BBC broadcaster Kirsty Wark will appear as a guest interviewer in her home country. Their involvement adds editorial weight and strong cultural visibility to the programme.
The Creative Skills Summit will also return for its third year alongside the main convention, hosted by presenter and journalist Jameel Shariff. That parallel strand is increasingly important because it addresses one of the biggest long-term issues facing the sector: how to build sustainable careers, diversify the workforce, and equip new entrants with the right production and storytelling skills.
While the full agenda has yet to be announced, previous editions have attracted major industry voices. Last year’s Liverpool event featured leading executives including Channel 4’s Priya Dogra and Sony Pictures Television’s Wayne Garvie, suggesting that the Glasgow edition could again bring together influential decision-makers from across the screen business.
What the convention means for Scotland’s screen sector
The Creative Cities Convention 2027 arrives at a strategically important moment for Scotland. With another new screen industry event also launching in Edinburgh later in the year, the country is building momentum as a destination for media debate, networking, and business development.
Screen Scotland has framed the Glasgow convention as an opportunity to showcase the strength of the nation’s screen and media industries while creating new relationships across the UK. That matters for independent producers, local crews, emerging creatives, post-production companies, and investors looking for growth opportunities outside London.
For the TV and video sector, the likely benefits include:
- Greater visibility for Scottish production companies
- More networking between commissioners, distributors, and creators
- Fresh conversations around skills, funding, and international sales
- A stronger case for regional production investment
- New collaboration opportunities across TV, streaming, and digital platforms
In practical terms, the Creative Cities Convention 2027 could help convert Scotland’s creative reputation into new business outcomes. For local companies, that means access. For the wider UK industry, it means a reminder that innovation is often happening well beyond the capital.
The bigger industry question: who is buying content now?
One of the most compelling aspects of the convention is its central theme around content buying. As traditional commissioning patterns tighten, producers are being pushed to think differently about where projects can travel and how revenue can be built.
That discussion is likely to touch on:
- International co-productions
- Brand-funded content and alternative finance models
- Platform diversification beyond traditional broadcasters
- Growing opportunities in digital-first and FAST channels
- How regional producers can compete globally
For anyone working in TV and video, these are not abstract questions. They are business-critical issues that will shape what gets made, who gets hired, and which companies scale over the next several years. That is why the Creative Cities Convention 2027 has the potential to be more than a conference. It could become a key forum for redefining how UK screen businesses survive and grow.
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Conclusion
The Creative Cities Convention 2027 is shaping up to be one of the most significant UK screen industry events of the year. By choosing Glasgow, the convention not only recognizes Scotland’s creative strength but also reinforces the growing influence of regional media hubs in a changing television market. For producers, commissioners, broadcasters, and emerging talent alike, Creative Cities Convention 2027 looks set to offer both a snapshot of the industry’s challenges and a roadmap for where the next opportunities may lie.
