Women in Film and Television UK (WFTV) has opened for applications to its inaugural WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab 2023 to spotlight and support emerging female writing talent in the film and TV industries.
Kay Mellor was a lifelong champion of women working both in front of and behind the camera. The annual WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab will honour Kay’s contribution to the industry and continue her legacy in screenwriting.
An industry panel and jury will be awarding places to the WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab. The panel and jury will include representatives working in roles across drama and scripted film and TV in the UK, as well as representatives from WFTV and Rollem, the Leeds based production company set-up by Kay Mellor in 2000.
Katie Bailiff CEO at WFTV UK says: “Women in Film & TV UK is thrilled to be launching this new initiative to support emerging writers. Kay Mellor was trailblazer and we’re delighted the lab will bring together 13 screenwriters in Yorkshire to honour her memory. This is an opportunity for writers breaking through into the industry to take inspiration from her work and career and develop their own writing voice.”
Yvonne Francas-Mellor (Managing Director) & Gaynor Mellor (Creative Director) at Rollem Productions say: “We are delighted to be working alongside Women in Film & TV on the inaugural Screenwriters’ Lab in memory of our wonderful Mum – and Rollem’s founder – Kay. Mum championed women her whole life and the critically-acclaimed and award-winning projects are testament to that. Building on Kay’s incredible legacy is extremely important to us and we cannot wait to read the applications and work alongside the new screenwriters.”
The 5-day writers’ lab will be a fully-funded opportunity for 13 screenwriters in October. The writers will be hosted at the Arvon Foundation’s Lumb Bank house located in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.
The programme will consist of craft writing masterclasses, tutor-led workshops and independent writing time. In addition, across the week there will be evening sessions with special guests from the industry including Happy Valley creator and writer, Sally Wainwright OBE.
Applications close on Wednesday 24 May 2023, 17:00 – you can submit applications here.
Jon Creamer
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