Lessons in Pitching: LSWF and Roadmap Writers Screenwriters Rachel Goacher and Jacob Mulgrew discuss their experiences at the London Screenwriters’ Festival, and an exciting opportunity presented to them by the team at Roadmap Writers. April. What a gem of a month you were. When we walked into Regent’s University for the first day of the London Screenwriters’ Festival, neither of us quite anticipated how important the weekend would be. Of course, we planned (like most attendees) to pitch our project to the producers and companies in attendance. But one of the most valuable opportunities that ..read more

This year we repeated the Dirk Maggs Audio Drama session from 2018, which involved creating an audio drama LIVE in the room. LSF delegates were invited to submit scripts set in the ALIEN universe, we would select one, and then make it LIVE in the room. The script written by Aliénor Goudet was selected and she was seated at the front of the room… Here is her account of the events, and the final audio drama below. I had no idea my script had been chosen for the session until I entered the room and heard the actors practicing their lines. The dialogue sounded familiar, so I peeked over their sh ..read more

  Maximizing the Festival Experience: Expert Tips from the London Screenwriters Festival Episode 2: Tips and Tricks from the Experts Welcome to the second episode of the London Screenwriters Festival podcast! In this episode, Chris Jones, the founder of the festival, and podcast producer Amy Livingstone are joined by screenwriters Alex English and Alienor to discuss their experiences and share tips for getting the most out of the festival. Introducing the Guests Amy Livingstone: Screenwriter and festival delegate since 2012 Alex English: Author and screenwriter with 10 years of experienc ..read more

It was a very emotional moment taking in your applause. Not because I love standing on a stage – it is comical that just before Chris Jones’ LSF Opening, I told a writer about my stage fright and how I cannot speak to an audience bigger than two people. Who knew that this very moment standing in front of you, became a crucial moment in another struggle. Right after Lockdown, my own mortality paid me a visit to remind me that I’m wasting my precious time.   To pick up on a Chris Jones thread, each of us has a role in the Universe. Somehow at the age of seven, I was aware that th ..read more

It’s been two weeks since the London Screenwriters’ Festival, and what have I learned? Well, as I bask in the afterglow of a weekend making new friends, catching up with old friends, feeling like a superhero (one who strides across No Man’s Land protected only by wrist bracelets, an oversized frisbee and hair to die for), and managing not to make a tit of myself in front of that agent I’ve always admired, I can safely say I have learned a lot. Much of it was about writing, too. But that’s not what we’re going to talk about. Oh no. You see, London Screenwriters’ Festival is all about the sharin ..read more

‘I was going to quit… When at LondonSWF, I met the love of my life, and we ended up producing and selling our first film together…’ It was raining. He grabbed her hand, smiling as if he knew her from before. Rachel was wet. Shy. Lost. He looked at her, speaking with his French accent. ‘Hi, I’m David Marantz’. ‘Hi, I’m Rachel Hillman’. They had no idea that this magic moment would change their life forever, becoming the catalyst of their filming career. During her first London Screenwriting Festival, in the garden of Regent’s University, Rachel was inside the ‘tent of love’, in front of her fut ..read more

  Welcome to the first podcast about The London Screenwriters’ Festival! Pitched last weekend by screenwriter Amy Livingstone and helmed by her, this is a deep dive into all things festivaly and screenwriting. In this episode, two delegates share their experience at the festival, with Amy Livingstone and festival founder Chris Jones. The Power of Accessible Opportunities Delegates highlighted the accessibility of the festival, emphasizing how it provided them with the opportunities they needed to grow and learn. The availability of actors, directors, and other talent at the festival was ..read more

After an exhilarating weekend at the London Screenwriters’ Festival, where creativity flowed like ink from a wellspring, I find myself back in the familiar embrace of my day job. The struggle to transition from festival euphoria to mundane workdays is real. But fear not—I’ve harnessed that energy and channeled it into my next script, ready to breathe life into new characters and worlds. The buzz of conversations, the electric hum of anticipation—these memories cling to me like the scent of rain on pavement. The festival was a whirlwind of inspiration, where seasoned screenwriters mingled with ..read more

Having attended the London Screenwriter’s Festival on a few occasions in the past, I thought I knew what to expect. In many ways I was right. I knew I would learn a lot from the amazing speakers. I knew I would reconnect with the tribe and make new friends. I knew I would laugh a lot and soak up the positive energy and come away feeling invigorated, inspired and fired up to write and take life on, feeling ten feet tall. All that happened at London SWF24, and so much more. The difference was: I jumped in, feet first and faced some fears. Actor’s Table Read As I had booked my ticket very early ..read more

Last weekend I walked across leafy, sun-dappled Regent’s Park and into a whirl of hopes, fears and ideas. Along with a crowd of other established and aspiring writers, I was headed for the London Screenwriters’ Festival 2024. I showed up to the festival with three TV pilot scripts and a few feature ideas to pitch. At the infamous Pitchfest event – basically, speed dating with film producers – all four of the execs I spoke to requested that I send them a treatment. And after a weekend of meeting people and learning lots, I came home invigorated and inspired.   Here’s what I took away ..read more