Soho Media Club has announced Academy Award-winning actor, writer and filmmaker Rachel Shenton as the closing keynote speaker at this year’s BE YOU Festival, taking place on 6 October at the Underbelly Theatre, London.
Shenton’s short film The Silent Child won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short in 2018, while she is also well-known for dramas including All Creatures Great and Small and The Rumour.
A passionate advocate for working-class talent, Shenton is the founder of The Midlands Screen Acting School and co-leads the Slick Films Fund, both dedicated to breaking down barriers to entry in the film and TV industries.
Speaking about her upcoming keynote, Shenton said: “I’m so excited to join the BE YOU Festival this year. It’s a place that champions inclusion, creativity and honesty–values I hold close both on and off screen.
“Storytelling has the power to break down barriers, and start important conversations.”
Shenton joins previously announced headline speaker Ash Atalla, BAFTA-winning producer behind The Office and The IT Crowd, alongside a host of other industry experts.
“Rachel Shenton embodies everything the BE YOU Festival stands for–talent, authenticity and using your platform to open doors for others,” revealed Jaisica Lapsiwala, co-founder, Soho Media Club.
“We’re thrilled to welcome her as our closing keynote and can’t wait for her to share her story with our community.”
Full information on the BE YOU Festival is available on the Soho Media Club website.
