If you thought Margate was just a sleepy seaside town with a few fish and chip shops, think again. Last week, the UK Creative Festival rolled into town at Dreamland, bringing a storm of fresh ideas, incredible talks, and a whole lot of creative energy. Naturally, our very own marketing duo, Katie and Charlie, couldn’t resist heading down to soak it all in. After two full-on days of networking, workshops, and generally being inspired by all things creative, they’ve come back with bags full of insights, the kind of stuff that’ll stick with them (and us) for a long time.
We asked them each to jot down their top five lessons from the festival, and here’s what they uncovered, plus a few cheeky extras you won’t want to miss.
Explore as much as you can, be curious, and translate personal experiences onto the screen.
Charlie reckons there’s nothing like genuine curiosity to fuel creativity. Whether it’s venturing into new places, trying out different perspectives, or just opening yourself up to the world, it’s the stuff that makes your work authentic and relatable.
Audio is 80% of evoking emotion.
It’s easy to get caught up in the visuals, but Dani Wolf from Badberries and Josh Gibbard from Siren reminded us that sound is the real secret weapon. From the subtle rustle of leaves to a powerful soundtrack, audio pulls viewers into the story and makes them feel something real. Just check out some of these edits below and see how we’ve painted a completely different film by just switching out the music.
Ideas need to come from human experience and truths.
In Kieron Roe's words, Creative Director from Fold7, “Let AI handle the fantastical or dreamlike landscapes, but keep the heart of the story pure and human.” There’s a delicate balance between tech and emotion, and that’s where content is sometimes made to look heartless and not thought out.
Everyone deserves an equal seat at the table for real collaboration.
No creative genius works in isolation. Charlie highlights that the best ideas come when all voices, regardless of role or seniority, are heard and valued.
Take risks, be brave, and back yourself.
No one ever created something remarkable by playing it safe. Charlie’s advice? Trust your gut and don’t be afraid to shake things up.
Don’t be an a**hole
Because, honestly, life’s just too short for that kind of energy.
Humanness still prevails.
Katie noticed that the festival winners were dominated by purpose-driven narratives, especially those focusing on health and social issues. Stories with heart and meaning resonate most.
AI can enhance, but it can’t replace human creativity.
It’s a helpful tool, sure, but the soul of a project always comes from people, their experiences, their quirks, their passion.
A standout moment for Katie was hearing director Trevor Melvin say, “I’m like a midwife — I deliver their baby.”
It’s a brilliant way to think about the creative process, gently helping ideas into the world without taking over.
Give everyone an equal seat at the table, and true collaboration is where the magic happens.
Katie and Charlie were totally aligned on this one. When teams work as equals, ideas flow and projects flourish.
There are big seagulls in Margate. 🐦
On a lighter note, watch your chips, folks! The local wildlife is definitely not shy.
Between the inspiring talks, the chance encounters with fellow creatives, and the unmistakable seaside charm, the UK Creative Festival in Margate was a breath of fresh air for Katie, Charlie, and all of us here at The Gate Films. The festival reminded us why storytelling matters, how collaboration fuels innovation, and that sometimes, the best ideas come from just being brave enough to try’em out.
We’re buzzing to bring these fresh insights back into our projects, and we’ll definitely be packing our bags for Margate next year, Aperol Spritz in hand and ready for round two.
Until then, keep creating, keep collaborating, and as Charlie so wisely put it, don’t be an a**hole.
Want to hear more about the festival or get some more insider tips from Katie and Charlie?
Give us a shout or get in contact here.