Edinburgh Film Festival launches new screenwriting initiative

The Story Works training programme to run in conjunction with Skillset.

by Amber Wilkinson

A new training initiative - The Story Works - has been announced by Edinburgh International Film Festival today.

The high-level screenwriting initiative, funded by Skillset, is aimed at experienced screenwriters.

The programme is for ten experienced British screenwriters and will run for a year from March 2010.

At the centre of the initiative is a residential week of masterclasses with A-list screenwriters and film practitioners (editor, DoP etc). The residential week will run immediately prior to the Edinburgh International Film Festival in June 2010.

Over the year, participants will have the chance to work with an experienced mentor on their chosen script or feature film idea and there will also be several further masterclass and group sessions held in London.

The scheme will be delivered in partnership by story editor Kate Leys, who will be project director, producers Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey, who will act as creative advisors, and the festival itself.

The programme is supported by an advisory board including Ronan Bennett, Christian Colson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tony Grisoni, Christine Langan, Kevin Loader, Cameron McCracken, Hannah McGill, Allon Reich, Tessa Ross and Robyn Slovo.

Skillset's Director of Film Neil Peplow said: "Storytelling is at the very heart of our industry. We need excellent scripts to continue creating the commercially and critically successful films that make the UK film industry a world leader.

"I am delighted that Skillset is able to fund The Story Works. This is a fantastic partnership, working with Kate and building on our already successful relationship with the Edinburgh International Film Festival."

Submissions are now invited and participants will be confirmed early next year. Writers experienced in other media such as theatre will also be considered as long as they have feature screenplay ideas in development.

We're still trying to find out how you can apply but will bring you news as soon as can.

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