Speakers

LondonSWF365… We are assembling the GREATEST online roster of screenwriting speakers ever.

The London Screenwriters’ Festival online features around 75 professional speakers from all areas of the film and television business. Many have also agreed to intimate online Script Chats (subject to technology) after their respective sessions so that you can get face Zoomtime with them. Although speakers are being added continuously, the vast majority will be confirmed late spring/early summer 2020. Get updates by signing up below.

“

It was a pleasure to engage with such a diverse group of passionate writers..."

Kate Harwood, Controller Series/Serials, BBC Drama

Legend

Christopher Vogler – Hero's Journey Story Consultant

Credits include: The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Storytellers

Story consultant to the biggest names in Hollywood.

David S. Goyer – Screenwriter

Man Of Steel, The Dark Knight, Blade, Constantine, Dark City

The mind behind modern incarnations of Superman, Batman, and other epic heroes

Robert McKee – Author, Educator & Consultant

Credits include: 'Story' and 'Dialogue'

Robert McKee is THE most sought-after screenwriting teacher in the world.

“

The Actors' Table Read was a deeply moving experience for me. The London Screenwriters' Festival is an unmissable opportunity to improve your work."

Susan Glen, Screenwriter

Headliners

Linda Aronson – Practitioner, Screenwriter

Author of: The 21st-Century Screenplay

Linda Aronson returns to dazzle LSF delegates with her game changing explanations of how to construct non-linear and multiple storyline films.

Frank Spotnitz – Screenwriter and Producer

Credits include: The X Files, Hunted, Millennium

Frank Spotnitz is an award-winning writer and producer best known for his work on The X-Files.

Tony Jordan – Screenwriter, Producer

Credits include Hustle, Life On Mars, Holby Blue, Death in Paradise

Tony has created and written for some of Britain’s most iconic and successful TV series, including Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes and EastEnders.

Ande Parks – Writer, Comic Book Artist

Comic books: Daredevil, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Ciudad. Movies: Extraction

Writer of Netflix's EXTRACTION following 30 years in comic books

David Reynolds – Screenwriter

Disney and Pixar writer David Reynolds credits include; Finding Nemo, Toy Story 2 & 3 and The Emperor's New Groove.

Iain Smith – Producer

Credits include: Wanted, The Fountain, The Fifth Element

Iain is an established and award winning international film producer with a credit list as long as your arm!

Joey Tuccio – CEO | Roadmap Writers

Roadmap Writers aims to bridge the gap between fresh, talented voices and the industry execs who can make things happen.

John Patrick Shanley – Screenwriter/Playwriter

Doubt: A Parable, Moonstruck, Joe Versus The Volcano, Congo

Winner of an Oscar (Moonstruck), a Tony, and a Pulitzer (Doubt: A Parable)

Julie Gray – Script Guru and Story Development Consultant

Writer/Producer The True Adventures of Gidon Lev Author: Just Effing Entertain Me: A Screenwriter's Atlas

Story analyst, Julie directed the Just Effing Screenwriting Competition for 6 years.

Michael Arndt – Oscar-winning screenwriter

Little Miss Sunshine, Toy Story 3, Oblivion, Inside Out

Oscar-Winning writer of indie hits and huge blockbusters alike.

Pilar Alessandra – Script Consultant, Educator

Author of The Coffee Break Screenwriter

Pilar's students and clients have written for Lost, Prison Break, Nip Tuck, House of Lies, CSI and Family Guy.

Scott Myers – Screenwriter, Producer, Educator

Credits include K-9 with Jim Belushi and Trojan War with Jennifer Love Hewitt

Scott is head honcho and scribe at Go Into The Story, official screenwriting blog for the Black List.

Stephany Folsom – Screenwriter

Toy Story 4, Thor: Ragnarok, Lord Of The Rings (Amazon Prime)

Oscar winner for Toy Story 4, and writer for Amazon Prime's Lord of the Rings

“

The Actors’ Table Read was my highlight… I learned so much from the friendly, talented actors. The director came up with an idea which dramatically improved my script."

Janet Williams, Screenwriter

Screenwriters

Stuart Hazeldine – Screenwriter, Director

Credits include The Shack, Exam, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Knowing

Stuart wrote the TV movie Riverworld for the Sci-Fi Channel and directed The Shack, starring Sam Worthington and Octavia Spencer.

Alison Flierl – Comedy Writer and Performer

Bojack Horseman, School of Rock, Conan

Comedy Writer And Performer

Chris Lang – Screenwriter

Credits include The Tunnel, Unforgotten, Primeval, Amnesia

Chris is the writer of over 100 hours of prime time British drama. He also created and co-executive produced the award-winning Unforgotten.

Clive Frayne – Screenwriter, Script Editor, Author

Author of The Process of Screenwriting

Clive Frayne is an award-winning writer and filmmaker with thirty years' experience writing professionally.

George Kay – Executive Producer, Writer

Killing Eve, Criminal UK, The Tunnel, The Hour

A writer on the cutting edge of thrilling crime television, writing on Killing Eve, and creating Criminal, on Netflix worldwide

Helen Goldwyn – Writer, Producer, Director | Big Finish Productions

Credits include Doctor Who, Torchwood

Helen produced and co-wrote the WWII series ATA Girl and has written for Doctor Who, Torchwood, Star Cops, and The Tomorrow People.

Henry Fitzherbert – Screenwriter

Credits include Slaughterhouse Rulez, Born a King

Henry co-wrote Slaughterhouse Rulez starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Michael Sheen and penned the historical epic Born a King.

Jeff Pope – Screenwriter, Producer

Credits include Stan & Ollie; Philomena; Dirty, Filthy Love; A Confession

Jeff Pope is an Oscar® and Golden Globe-winning British film and TV writer and producer, known for his scripts for Philomena and Stan & Ollie.

Lisa McMullin – Screenwriter

Credits include EastEnders, Doctors

Lisa writes continuing drama series for television and also writes Big Finish audio dramas, including Doctor Who, Torchwood, and Time War.

Lucinda Coxon – Screenwriter

Credits include: The Danish Girl, The Crimson Petal and the White

Lucinda is an award-winning writer for film, television, and stage.

Lucy Watkins – Screenwriter

Credits include Merlin, Atlantis, Sugar Rush

Lucy has written many hours of prime time drama. She first learnt her trade as a Music Supervisor and Script Editor at Carnival Films on 56 episodes of Channel 4’s award-winning teen show As If.

Matt Fitton – Writer, Script Editor | Big Finish Productions

Credits include Doctor Who, The Omega Factor

Matt writes audio drama for Big Finish's Doctor Who range, including the continuing adventures of Paul McGann's Eighth Doctor.

Michael Colleary – Screenwriter

Face/Off, Lara Croft Tomb Raider, Death Wish 5, Darkman III: Die Darkman Die, Firehouse Dog

Screenwriter, Instructor, Hollywood Kingmaker

Michal Aviram – Screenwriter

Credits include Fauda, Project Orpheus

Michal Aviram is an award-winning Israeli screenwriter. She has created and written on hit shows for numerous platforms, including Netflix, Amazon and Israeli broadcaster, Keshet.

Mike Werb – Screenwriter

Face/Off, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, The Mask

One half of the pair who created FACE/OFF, among others

Pat Higgins – Writer, Director

Credits include TrashHouse, Hellbride, KillerKiller

After writing and directing three internationally distributed micro-budget horrors, Pat wrote the award-winning mockumentary, The Devil’s Music.

Philip Lawrence – Screenwriter

Credits include EastEnders, Casualty

Philip was awarded the C21 Drama Script Prize with his black comedy drama Euthanasia in Suburbia and currently writes for EastEnders and Casualty.

Scott Beck & Bryan Woods – Screenwriters

A Quiet Place, Haunt, A Quiet Place Part II

The creators of "A Quiet Place"

Scott Marshall Smith – Screenwriter

Men of Honor, When the Game Stands Tall, The Score

Writer of true stories and action thrillers

Sebastian Magiera – Screenwriter

Sebastian entered the Finish Line Competition in 2018 and won the Grand Prize, which secured him a manager in LA. He is currently developing TV projects with several producers and working on his own feature and television screenplays.

Tony Burgess – Writer

Pontypool

For the journey to the town of Pontypool, we must travel within the mind of Tony Burgess whose unconventional word view permeates his stories like maple syrup through a short stack.

“

Stellar speakers, super sessions, proper pitching – a great all-round festival!"

Greg Brina, Writer

People Who Get Stuff Made

Gub Neal – Producer

Credits include Prime Suspect, Queer As Folk, Cracker, The Fall

Gub is an award-winning producer who headed up the drama departments at both Channel 4 and Granada, and won an Emmy for Prime Suspect.

Jane Steventon – Development Executive, Producer

Credits include Tracy Beaker, Casualty, Susan Hill's Ghost Story

Jane has worked in adult and children's scripted drama at Disney, CBBC, BBC and Lime Pictures.

Jeff Norton – Writer-Producer & Author

Credits include: MetaWars, Trucktown, Princess Ponies

Jeff is a writer-producer, and author of the award-winning thriller series MetaWars.

John Yorke – MD | Angel Station

Credits include Wolf Hall, Shameless, Life On Mars, EastEnders

John is author of Into the Woods and a drama producer, consultant and lecturer on all forms of storytelling. He also executive produced Wolf Hall.

Robert Jones – Executive Producer, Movie Financier

The Usual Suspects, Hard Eight, Gosford Park, Dirty Pretty Things, Vera Drake, 47 Metres Down

A prolific Executive Producer responsible for 30 years' worth of movies, from indie classics to arthouse hits.

Samantha Horley – Writer, Script Consultant, Lecturer

Credits include Executive Producer on Grabbers, Miss You Already

Sam has 20 years' experience in international film sales, development, production and marketing.

“

I’ve run a production company for six years, done the fest circuit, and it’s safe to say LSF was the most electric, stimulating and family-like experience yet."

Gary Verby, Screenwriter

Directors

Marc Jobst – Director

Director on The Witcher, Hannibal, Daredevil, Luke Cage, Runaways, The Punisher, Tin Star

Television Director who has left his mark on thrillers such as The Witcher and Hannibal

Martha Fiennes – Director and Screenwriter

Credits include: Onegin, Chromophobia

Award winning, visionary director of sumptuous Russian period piece 'Onegin' and the powerful and contemporary 'Chromophobia'.

“

Lots of great sessions and variety, and I’ve made new friends. I was particularly inspired by Christopher Hampton’s interview."

Bryony Quigley, Screenwriter

Actors

Anna Chancellor – Actor

Credits include: Downton Abbey

Anna is one of the UK’s most recognisable character actors, perhaps best known for her stand-out performance in Four Weddings and a Funeral.

“

The London Screenwriters’ Festival is THE place to learn, share and network. What you give out you get back in SPADES!"

Elinor Petty-Smith, Screenwriter

People Who Know Stuff

Lucy V Hay – Script Editor | Bang2write

Bionic blogger, script editor, author and the voice of new writers!

Lucy is legendary for her enthusiasm and the knowledge she shares with her Bang2Write community and is a core member of the LSF team.

Linda Potgieter – Negotiation expert

An expert in human negotiation and behaviour, Linda will open your eyes to the blind spots in the way you negotiate everything

Julian Wilkins – Lawyer

Editor of Blue Pencil Laws Of Creativity Magazine

Julian Wilkins is Editorial Director for Blue Pencil Media Limited and will be running the legal clinic at the festival

Ellin Stein – Script Editor, Educator

Author of That's Not Funny, That's Sick

Ellin teaches screenwriting on the MA Script Writing programme at Goldsmiths and has worked in development for numerous production companies in the US and UK.

Dr Raj Persaud – Consultant Psychiatrist, Broadcaster and Author

Credits include Staying Sane: How To Make Your Mind Work For You

Eminent psychiatrist Dr Raj offers fascinating insights into the mechanics of characters.

Chris Jones – LSF Director & Founder, Filmmaker, Author

Credits include the Oscar®-shortlisted Gone Fishing; author of the Guerilla Handbooks

Chris has spent his life making movies, writing books and helping others make their movies.

Andrew L. Schwartz – Final Draft Studio Liaison

Final Draft's man in the studios

The Final Draft Master to help you master Final Draft

Christopher Lockhart – Script Editor at William Morris Endeavor

Reader of over 60,000 scripts, treatments, articles, and pitches

Curator of scripts for the likes of Denzel Washington

Houston Howard – Co-Founder of One 3 Creative, Producer, author

You're Gonna Need A Bigger Story, You're Gonna Need A Bigger Workbook

Viewing story through a transmedia lens, a thought leader and creator of the SUPER STORY method.

Karol Griffiths – Script Editor, Supervisor

Credits include How I Met Your Mother, Friends; author of The Art of Script Editing

Karol Griffiths is a successful script editor, best-selling author and development consultant with over twenty years' experience in film and TV.

Kira-Anne Pelican, PhD – Writer, Researcher, Script Consultant

Author of The Science of Writing Characters (available soon from Bloomsbury)

Kira-Anne has 25 years of experience working in the British and American film and TV industries.

Louisa Caine – Founder | The Pause Before

Make Today Count, create your own Change!

Louisa is the Founder of the Pause Before, a mindfulness and coaching consultancy.

Michael Brooks, PhD – TV Consultant, Author, Quantum Physicist

Co-author of Hollywood Wants to Kill You: The Peculiar Science of Death in the Movies

Michael's latest broadcast role is as science adviser to YouTube’s The Edge of Science.

Nic Ransome – Script Editor, Screenwriter

Credits include Holby City, Shrooms

Nic has written for Holby City and Freefonix and has developed TV for Silver Pictures Television, Starz, Artists Studio and Bentley Productions.

Patti Good – Therapist, Teacher, Healer and Spiritual Mentor

Meditation Teacher, Doula, Hypnobirthing Practitioner and Reiki Master

Meditation Teacher, Accredited Journey Practitioner, a Certified BodyTalk Practitioner, an EFT Practitioner,

Philip Hughes – Screenwriter, Educator

Writing credits include Thunderpants, I Want Candy, The Queen's Nose

Phil is Course Leader for BA(Hons) Film & Screen degree at Regent’s University, London and is an experienced script editor for film and TV.

Rick Edwards – Screenwriter, Presenter, Author

Co-author of Hollywood Wants to Kill You: The Peculiar Science of Death in the Movies

Rick has written three books, and his debut feature film script is due to start shooting in March 2020.

Scott McConnell – Screenwriter/Story Analyst

Script Analyst for Roger Corman, Samuel Goldwyn, the Sundance Institute and more.

A script editor/consultant who specializes in strengthening premise.

Sean Robert Daniels – Nicholl Fellow-winning Screenwriter

Killers, The Docket, The Last Victims, For The Birds

Screenwriter, head writer, script editor, story consultant, and 1st South African to win the Academy Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting

Steve Kaplan – Comedy Expert

The entertainment industry’s leading expert on comedy for more than 15 years, with clients such as HBO, Dreamworks, Disney, Paramount, and Touchstone

Ted Wilkes – Screenwriter, Educator

Co-author of The Beginning, The Middle & The End (available soon)

Ted teaches Screenwriting and Digital Media at Regent's University and is currently developing a TV series with producer Nick Agha.

“

The Script Surgery was brilliant. I was really impressed by the thorough and detailed feedback that was given."

Sangeeta Bhargava

Moderators

All of it was awesome. This was my first LSF and to say my expectations were exceeded is an understatement – I learned as much as I did on my MA Scriptwriting course!"

LondonSWF365… We are assembling the GREATEST online roster of screenwriting speakers ever.

Kate Harwood, Controller Series/Serials, BBC Drama

Legend

Susan Glen, Screenwriter

Headliners

Janet Williams, Screenwriter

Screenwriters

Greg Brina, Writer

People Who Get Stuff Made

Gary Verby, Screenwriter

Directors

Bryony Quigley, Screenwriter

Actors

Elinor Petty-Smith, Screenwriter

People Who Know Stuff

Sangeeta Bhargava

Moderators

Suzanna Cardash, Screenwriter, @suzannacardash

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Danielle Wager, Writer, Filmmaker

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