Indie Hustle's essential guide to TV events in 2026
Your calendar to the TV events, markets and festivals that matter in 2026
It’s that time of year when all eyes are (even more than usual) on finances and talk of quarterly forecasts for the year ahead.
So let us take something off your plate this week by helping you plan out your TV events for 2026.
With more conferences and markets than ever before, it can be bewildering working out which to attend.
In this global content era, you know you need to go to some to keep up with the latest developments and to network with partners, commissioners and distributors – but which ones should you go to and why?
Your time is valuable and, with budgets squeezed, every penny counts; so we’ve compiled a calendar and guide to assist with your decision-making.
Read on to find out:
Which events are right for you
The most up-to-date info on the major markets
What the costs might be
TV EVENTS 2026
The increasing costs of attending conferences and events hit the headlines when the Edinburgh TV Festival announced that it’s considering moving city to mitigate the rising accommodation prices in the Scottish capital.
So to help you plan, let’s map out what’s happening when and where. Prices are correct at time of publication but may change and you may be able to get discounts so check organisers’ websites for details.
February
Realscreen Summit, 2–6 February (Miami) NATPE Global, 2–6 February 2026 (Miami)
Last year these two events came together and they’re doing the same again this year.
UK distributors don’t usually attend but, focusing on the global unscripted business, Realscreen’s speakers this year include All3Media CEO Jane Turton, president of Fox Television Network Michael Thorn and Amazon MGM Studios head of international formats Anais Baker.
The more content-focused NATPE covers all genres. Held at the Intercontinental Miami there’ll be speed pitching and networking events aplenty, plus the RealScreen Awards.
Full ticket price for 2026: $1,975 for RealScreen, $2,375 for both RealScreen and NATPE Global
Broadcast Awards, 4 February (Grosvenor House, London)
Kicking off TV awards season is industry bible Broadcast’s annual awards - it’s a sit-down meal but with plenty of time to catch up with contacts during the pre-event drinks or on the dance floor.
Full ticket price for 2026: £720+VAT for a seat and from £6,500+VAT for a table of ten
Berlin International Film Festival, 12–22 February and Berlinale Co-Production Market, 14-17 February
Known as the Berlinale, this is one of the major annual international film festivals and the first key film showcase of the year. The festival’s jury awards eight prizes, including the Golden Bear for Best Film at the closing gala in the Berlinale Palast. Running alongside the main festival is Berlinale Pro, which encompasses four deal-making and financing, conference and networking events under one umbrella: the huge European Film Market (EFM), the Co-Production Market, Berlinale Talents, and the World Cinema Fund.
Full ticket price for 2026: EFM’s tiered rates are from €320 to €450
BAFTA Film Awards, 22 February 2026 (Royal Festival Hall, London)
The UK’s prestige film awards, which include one for best short film, is seen as the bellwether for the Oscars.
No confirmed pricing for 2026
MIP London, 22–24 February 2026 (Savoy Hotel and IET London)
Last year, in reaction to changes in how the global TV market operates, conference organiser RX France ended six decades of the long-standing Cannes international content market brand MIPTV (short for Marché International des Programme) and relocated the event to the UK under the new name MIP London. Panellists include executives from Banijay, Snap, Zinc Media, Little Dot, NatGeo, ZDTV and SVT and sessions including topics such as vertical content. Runs alongside the London TV Screenings.
Full ticket price for 2026: £560
London TV Screenings, 22-27 February (London)
Founded by All3Media International, Banijay Entertainment, Fremantle and ITV Studios in 2021 this is free, independent, invite-only showcase has grown to become a must-see event and features all the major UK and global players including Paramount, StudioCanal, NBC Universal, ITV, Banijay and Lionsgate.
Invite only
BBC Studios Showcase, 23–24 February (180 Studios, The Strand, London)
Running alongside the London TV Screenings, it celebrates 50 years this year (yes, really) and will shine a light on the best of what the BBC is making and selling.
Invite only
March
Royal Television Society Programme Awards, 24 March (Grosvenor House, London)
Plenty of networking and catch-ups happen at these formal but buzzy awards during the pre-award drinks and the sit-down meal.
No confirmed pricing for 2026
C21 – Content India, 16–18 March 2026 (Taj Lands End hotel, Mumbai)
A partnership between C21Media and DishTV, this three-day event aims to connect the Indian market with international partners
Full ticket price for 2026: £999
Series Mania, 20–27 March 2026 (Lille and online)
An international TV festival dedicated to television series and fans, it features masterclasses pitching, networking and conference sessions, as well as international premieres. Its Upfronts for buyers is invite-only but you can buy tickets to its Forum conference.
Full ticket price for 2026: €450 for a daily pass, €150 for online pass.
April
Broadcast Summit, 15 April (London)
The event previously known as the Broadcast Indie Summit, this event brings together producers, broadcasters, streamers and suppliers, this event features speakers and debates about the future of the industry and 1:1 meetings. Program not yet revealed.
No confirmed pricing for 2026
C21 – Content Europe, 21–23 April (Marriott Hotel, Lisbon)
A three-part conference programme featuring the Future Formats Forum, The Content Acquisitions Summit and The Kids Content Summit.
Full ticket price for 2026: €799
Canneseries, 23–28 April 2026 (Cannes)
Open to the public and in its ninth year these awards and conference at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes, focus on series. Includes pink carpet premieres and networking opportunities.
Full ticket price for 2026: €360
BAFTA Television Craft Awards, April date TBC
Prestige event that rewards and connects technicians, crew and those at the top of their game in their craft.
No confirmed pricing for 2026
NATPE Budapest, (paused this year)
C21 – Create London, 29 April 2026 (King’s Cross, London)
Debuted in 2025, this year it’ll bring together creators, brands, commercial partners and platforms plus feature an AI Festival.
Full ticket price for 2026: £699
May
Creative Cities, 6–7 May 2026 (Liverpool)
Will feature speakers who are creative economy leaders. Full programme released a few weeks before the event but 2025’s one in Leeds included BBC director general Tim Davie and commissioners from Amazon, ITV, UKTV and Channel 5.
Earlybird rate for 2026: £225
BAFTA Television Awards, 10 May 2026
Prestige event that’s televised and a prime networking opportunity during the sit-down dinner after the awards, plus during the post-ceremony drinks and dancing.
No confirmed pricing for 2026
Media Production & Technology Show, 13–14 May (Olympia, London)
Focused on new tech and connections, this event is now in its tenth year and organised by the company behind industry bible Broadcast.
The show is traditionally free to attend for industry professionals, with paid add-ons only for certain workshops or closed sessions. Access is usually granted via advance online registration rather than ticket sales.
Conecta Fiction & Entertainment, 25-28 May (Mallorca)
Now in its tenth year, this festival includes premieres and networking and pitching opportunities. An additional attraction is it takes place on Magaluf Beach!
No confirmed pricing for 2026
LA Screenings – no confirmed 2026 dates yet
C21 Content LA – no confirmed 2026 event yet
June
C21 – Content Warsaw, 1-3 June (Kinogram, Warsaw) Content Warsaw Co-pro Pitch is included at this central and eastern European-focused market, screenings and conference event in Poland.
Full ticket price for 2026: €399 if you’re outside the CEE area
SXSW London, 1-6 June
Cultural festival that in 2025 featured talks ranging from CEO of Google’s AI laboratory DeepMind Demis Hassabis to actor Idris Elba.
Full ticket price for 2026: £1560
Seriencamp Festival, 9–11 June (Cologne)
Programme for this event in Germany for fans, creators and execs of series yet to be announced.
No confirmed pricing for 2026
Sheffield Doc/Fest, 10–15 June (sites across Sheffield)
Premier international festival for documentaries, which includes talks, panels and its MeetMarket for documentary features and series which are either in development, production, post-production or rough cut stage looking for partners.
Full ticket price for 2026: £425
Monte Carlo TV Festival, 12–16 June (Monaco)
One of the most glamorous TV festivals, this is also one of the oldest (it’s in its 65th year) and features speakers, industry discussions and a pitching contest. Programme TBC but often starry - last year one of the speakers was Robin Wright.
Full ticket price for 2026: €800–€950 per person and €8000 for a table
Banff World Media Festival, 14–17 June (Banff)
Another one for leading decision makers who gather to discuss industry and content issues and network amid the stunning Canadian scenery. Also home to the Rockie awards. Programme TBC.
Full ticket price for 2026: CAD $1,895 or $299 for an online pass
Sunny Side of the Doc, 22–25 June (La Rochelle)
Another glamorous location for a market, this doc-focused international market (founded in 1990) focuses on co-production funding and distribution.
No confirmed pricing for 2026
August
Edinburgh Television Festival, 25–28 August
The OG of UK TV conferences, it began in the Scottish capital in 1976 and is renowned for its content and business-focused sessions and networking opportunities, as well as is awards and the agenda-setting MacTaggart Lecture. Could this be its last year in Edinburgh though?
Full ticket price for 2026: £1,299 + Booking Fee & VAT
September
National Television Awards, 8 September (O2 Arena, London)
Voted for by the public, the NTAs provide a sociable networking opportunity with talent and execs at the after show parties.
Full ticket price for 2026: £257 for a seat package
TIFF: The Market, September 10-16 (Toronto)
Toronto International Film Festival is debuting its official content market designed to champion film, television, new media, and Canadian creators.
Full ticket price for 2026: $800 +HST - $1,030 +HST
Royal Television Society London Convention (London)
Attracting top industry execs, policy-makers and leaders, this prestige conference focuses on the big issues facing the business and rotates each year between London and Cambridge.
No confirmed pricing for 2026
Berlin TV Series Festival, 19–21 September
Another event dedicated to TV series, it provides a showcase and networking opportunities.
Full ticket price for 2026: $149.
Content Canada, September (Toronto, dates TBC)
October
Breaking-TV Film Festival – 2-4 October (London)
Focusing on independent film, the British Films Market is held alongside it, making it an attractive meeting point for producers, distributors and buyers.
No confirmed pricing for 2026
Brand Licensing Europe, 6–8 October (ExCeL London)
Key event for doing lucrative licensing deals for your valuable intellectual property.
No confirmed pricing for 2026
BFI London Film Festival, 7–18 October
Leading festival for British film; features talks and premieres.
Various ticket prices available on BFI website
MIPCOM, 12–15 October 2026 (Cannes)
The famed Croisette will once again be home to the global content market for four days of deal-making, talks and events.
No confirmed pricing for 2026
Wildscreen, 19-21 October (Bath)
Natural history-focused conference featuring masterclasses, workshops and meetings, as well as its Panda awards – which celebrate the best natural world storytelling.
Full ticket price for 2026: £510. £90 for an online pass.
November
TellyCast Digital Content Forum – 5 November (BFI Southbank, London)
Creators and social video-focused event that specialises in next generation content.
Earlybird rate for 2026: £299.99
Grierson Awards – 10 November (usually London)
Documentary awards ceremony run by the Grierson Trust and attended by sector leaders.
No confirmed pricing for 2026
GrowthLab London - 17 November (London)
Premier gathering for the UK television and content industry to connect, pitch and do business across every screen and revenue stream. Featuring commercially-focused panel sessions, last years speakers included Dan McGolpin, Specs and Jane Turton. The market hall offers high impact networking and real deal-making opportunities, with distributors, broadcast and streamer commissioning editors and a wide range of digital and brand partners. Last year these included; Banijay Entertainment, BBC Studios, Tik Tok, Zoo 55, Amazon Prime amongst many others. Full disclosure, it's run by Indielab - the company behind this newsletter.
Super reveal early bird rate for 2026: From £150 + VAT. Available here.
AI Creative Summit – date TBC
An AI-focused event from the company behind Broadcast.
No confirmed pricing for 2026
Broadcast Tech Innovation Awards – date TBC
Broadcast’s tech awards are usually attended by broadcasters, rights holders and tech companies.
No confirmed pricing for 2026
Rose d’Or Awards – 30 November (venue TBC)
Once held in Switzerland, this European Broadcasting Union flagship event is now produced in partnership with C21 and in 2025 the ceremony was held in King’s Cross in London.
No confirmed pricing for 2026
C21 – Content London, December (dates TBC)
London-based event consisting of markets, meetings and session discussions.
No confirmed pricing for 2026
Women in Film & Television Awards – date TBC
Always entertaining and packed with leading creatives and talent, this is one of the most fun events in the calendar and provides opportunities to network during the drinks and sit-down meal.
No confirmed pricing for 2026
Hiring? We feature paid job listings, to book a listing, email hello@theindiehustle.com
Sponsorship? If your organisation would like to find out about sponsorship and advertising opportunities, email hello@theindiehustle.com