Steven Knight CBE becomes Patron of Forward Film & Television Festival
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight CBE has become a Patron of Forward Film & Television Festival. He joins comedian and presenter Joe Lycett as a patron of the Birmingham festival, after a second edition that grew film submissions by 73% and nearly quadrupled its Industry Day audience.
Knight, who is also the founder of Digbeth Loc. Studios, backed Forward from its launch in 2025. Joe Lycett was named Forward’s first patron in September 2026.
“When I backed Forward Film & Television Festival at the start, I did so because I believed in what it could become. A year on, it’s proving exactly that, which is why I’m proud to become a Patron. This is the same mission we’re building at Digbeth Loc. Studios: keeping talent here and showing the world that Birmingham is a creative powerhouse in its own right. Kudos Knight, my creative partnership with Kudos, is also key, building a scripted production pipeline for the area, championing our talent and creating real opportunity for local people. Forward is a part of this story, nurturing the next generation of storytellers and connecting them with international peers and audiences and I’m committed to seeing it grow.” — Steven Knight CBE
Edition 02 in numbers
Knight’s appointment follows Forward’s second edition, held from 30 September to 4 October 2026 across five venues centred on Digbeth. Highlights included:
94 films screened across 45 events
A sold-out In Conversation with BAFTA-winning filmmaker Shane Meadows
Two European premieres, It’s My Time, starring Michelle Yeoh, and The Broken Arrow, plus the UK premiere of Monster Mia
A sold-out Industry Day of panels and discussions for the second year running
22 Birmingham organisations supported and 17 local businesses involved
20 awards presented at a sold-out awards gala
“Steven backed Forward before we had a track record, so having him as a Patron means a great deal. His work at Digbeth Loc. Studios and with Kudos Knight is about the same thing we are: making sure Birmingham’s storytellers don’t have to leave to be seen. With Steven and Joe behind us, we’re building towards a bigger, better and more connected eight-day festival in 2027.” — Matt Ford, Co-Director, Forward Film & Television Festival
Forward returns 1–8 October 2027
Forward Film & Television Festival returns from 1 to 8 October 2027, growing from five days to eight. Submissions are open now on FilmFreeway, with the first deadline on 31 December 2026.
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