Women in Film & TV UK has announced the second annual WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab.
The programme works to support emerging female writing talent in film and TV.
Hosted at the Arvon Foundation’s The Hurst centre in Shropshire, the Lab offers an opportunity for writers to develop their craft and attract industry interest in their work.
Applications will close once the maximum capacity for submissions is reached or by Tuesday 28 May 2024, at 17:00 (BST), whichever comes first.
The fully-funded programme consists of craft writing masterclasses and workshops led by two course tutors from the film and TV industry, independent writing time to focus and refine a script and a 1-2-1 session with a tutor to offer project guidance. In addition, across the week there will be evening sessions and a special guest from the industry.
Katie Bailiff, CEO at WFTV UK says: “Women in Film & TV is delighted to call emerging screenwriters to apply to take part in our second Screenwriters’ Lab. We are honoured to continue Kay’s legacy supporting and nurturing female talent in the industry and look forward to discovering new voices from across the UK.”
Patty Lenahan Ishimoto of Miss Scarlet Limited says, “We are delighted to continue our support for this fabulous endeavour. Script writing is still an area where more female voices are needed and although the balance is improving we are very pleased to be helping to develop the next generation and support WFTV in its activities.”
Yvonne Francas-Mellor, Managing Director at Rollem Productions says: “Kay was so passionate about giving women the opportunity to explore their talents and hone their craft so I’m delighted that another 13 female writers will benefit from this fantastic opportunity. I can’t wait to read the submissions and meet a new group of inspiring women later this year.”
Last year, the Screenwriters’ Lab was hosted at the Arvon Foundation’s Lumb Bank house located in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, and consisted of craft writing masterclasses and workshops led by course tutors Lisa Holdsworth (Ackley Bridge, Call the Midwife, Waterloo Road) and Olivia Hetreed (Girl with a Pearl Earring, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, Wuthering Heights). Evening sessions included a conversation with Happy Valley creator and writer Sally Wainwright OBE, and Life in Pictures – a retrospective look at Kay Mellor’s work with Yvonne Francas-Mellor and Gaynor Mellor, Managing Director and Creative Director at Rollem Productions.
More information is available here: https://www.wftv.org.uk/screenwriterslab
Photo features the 2023 cohort of the WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab
Jon Creamer
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