Katie Bignell

Katie Bignell graduated from Bournemouth Media School in Scriptwriting for Film & TV and is also a graduate of the London Royal Court Writer Groups.

She founded Festival Formula in 2014 after spotting a gap in the festival knowledge of filmmakers around film festivals. With 20 plus years experience behind it they are providing strategy and submissions support to filmmakers world-wide. They're active members of the Short Film Conference and the Film Festival Alliance. Katie is also a key spokesperson on festival issues with coverage in The Hollywood Reporter and Screen Daily regarding suspect and fraudulent film festivals. She co-created the Filmmaker Lounge in partnership with Film Festival Alliance – an online space for programmers and filmmakers to discuss their roles. Previous speaking engagements include: HollyShorts, Heartland Film Festival, Clermont Ferrand International Short Film Festival, Sundance, SXSW and many more. Selected prior jury service include: Cleveland International, Heartland International, St. Louis International, Palm Springs Shortsfest, Young Directors Awards, Raindance, Tallgrass Film Festival and more.

Katie was the co-recipient of the Pioneering Spirit Award alongside her husband Ian Bignell which was awarded by Heartland Film, and the company received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Film from London Breeze Film Festival in 2024.