Soho Media Club today 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 06 October 2025 at the Underbelly Theatre, London.
Shenton earned global recognition when her short film The Silent Child won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short in 2018. Written by and starring Shenton. 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.
Alongside her advocacy, Shenton continues to captivate audiences on screen. This autumn she stars in two highly anticipated thrillers: The Rumour, a new Channel 5 series based on Lesley Kara’s bestselling novel, and Lionsgate’s The Strangers film trilogy reboot, directed by Renny Harlin (Cliffhanger). She also reprises her role in PBS/C5 drama All Creatures Great and Small, returning for its sixth series this September.
Speaking about her upcoming keynote, Rachel Shenton says: “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. Other speakers at this year’s BE YOU Festival include Ros Atkins, Analysis Editor, BBC News; Sonny Hanley, Director, ITV Academy, ITV; Victor Perez, Award-Winning Visual Effects Supervisor; Martin Trickey, Managing Director, Zoo 55, ITV Studios; Camilla Lewis, CEO, Curve Media; Soleta Rogan, Managing Director, Rogan Productions & Rogan Scotland and Melanie Leach, CEO, South Shore.
The Festival takes place on 06 October 2025, Underbelly Boulevard Theatre, London. More info + tickets: www.sohomediaclub.com/beyou
Jon Creamer
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