On Tuesday 3rd June 2025, the BFI and EVCOM hosted a compelling edition of Talking Pictures at its Stephen Street location to a packed house, shining a spotlight on the evolution and artistry of corporate filmmaking in the UK. Titled Explaining Money, the event explored how film has long been harnessed to decode complex financial concepts, shape public narratives, and bring clarity to the world of business.
The evening featured a carefully curated programme of archival and contemporary corporate films, offering both a historical lens and a modern perspective on how cinema communicates institutional messaging. Highlights included Balance (1951), The Rise of Parnassus Needy (1966), A Date with Decimals (1970), and United Voices (2020), each illustrating distinct eras and styles of corporate communication.
A key feature of the evening was a live discussion delving into the cinematic techniques and storytelling strategies employed in corporate film. This conversation examined how filmmakers balance clarity with creativity to make economic and organisational ideas accessible to wide audiences.
EVCOM members Geraldine Clermont, DRPG and Nick McAlpine, Bladonmore—both ranked in the UK Corporate Top 50—were on hand to present more recent projects that exemplify cutting-edge approaches to corporate storytelling. Their contributions highlighted the enduring relevance of film in business communication, showcasing how contemporary techniques are evolving in response to new platforms and audience expectations.
As corporate film continues to evolve, events like Talking Pictures provide an essential platform for reflection, dialogue, and inspiration—reminding us that powerful storytelling remains at the heart of effective communication and has done for decades.
Written by Andrew Smith, EVCOM Chair