Who will YOU pitch? | London Screenwriters' Festival

LondonSWF 2021 (September) Update
Pitchfest Will Be 100% ONLINE in 2021
Due to Covid uncertainty, we will be running a hybrid festival in 2021, with a three-day live event* and online sessions spread over a longer period of time. Things could change rapidly so keep an eye on our updates HERE. In person delegates will require daily flow tests and vaccine status declaration.

Execs, Producers, Directors and Agents at PitchFest 2021

OK take a deep breath… and check out who you can pitch YOUR projects to this year at The Great British Pitchfest!

Execs will be added in late Summer of 2021.

Who came last time?

Sixty professionals from over fifty companies heard pitches at the last Pitchfest, leading to hundreds of script requests. Execs, Producers, Directors and Agents attended from these companies in past few years.

Confirmed Execs, Agents, Producers and Directors for 2021

Executives

Alice Vail – Development Editor | Number 9 Films

Looking for contemporary and diverse Film & TV projects, with a socio-political edge and ideally from a female-driven perspective.

Amii Griffith – Development Producer | Free@Last TV

At Free@Last TV, we know what we're looking for so we want to be surprised by what we don't know we need.

Amory Leader – Producer & Development Executive | Big Book Media Ltd

Welcoming submissions and pitches from writers for thematic, high concept and elevated genre feature films, also seeking professional / credited writers for rewrites and assignments.

Barry Ryan – MD/Creative Director | Free@Last TV

Barry is looking for ideas that surprise, inspire and add new ideas to any genre.

Ben Smith – Creative Director | Red Star 3D

Ben is looking for concepts for animated feature films and TV shows for kids and family audiences with worldwide appeal.

Cassie Barraclough – Script Editor | Eleventh Hour Films

Cassie is excited by stories which show an original voice and depth of character, in any genre.

Catherine King – Development Co-ordinator | Reel One

Reel One Entertainment, a Newen (TF1 Group) company, is a dynamic international television production and distribution company focusing on prime time Christmas movies and RomComs.

Dhiraj Mahey – Development Producer | Moonspun Films

We are excited by bold and authorial storytelling across both Cinema and High End TV.

Hannah Perks – Acquisitions Manager, UK & EMEA | Netflix

Looking for commercial, British and Irish stories that will resonate locally.

Hattie Burles – Acquisitions Manager | DCD Rights

DCD Rights are always on the lookout for original concepts and exciting scripted series to present to the international market. Commercially, the genres we are looking for are drama, thrillers, crime procedurals and family/social dramas for 60minute slots

James Wooldridge – Development Executive | Company Pictures

Looking for compelling contemporary stories with a sense of place, humour, verve and universal relationships.

Jonathan Hall – Development Executive | Clapperboard Studios

We are looking for hour long, multi-part series for UK broadcasters and SVODs. Twisty psychological thrillers, especially with a relatable newspaper headline hook are always welcome. But our favourite projects are often ones that surprise us and showcase

Katie Wilkinson – Acquisitions Assistant | Signature Entertainment

Looking for: Thrillers, WWII action, live action family, romcoms, festive and YA.

Keren Coleman – Script Editor | Abbott Vision Productions

Keren Coleman is a Script Editor for Paul Abbott's production company, AbbottVision.

Kiah Elijah Simpson – Development Executive | Buffalo Dragon

Currently seeking high concept thriller / horror / supernatural / features with budgets around £1 Million and one-hour drama / true stories / thriller / genre blend with fresh perspectives for TV.

Lucy Raffety – Director of Development | Company Pictures

Looking for bold concepts, projects that reflect modern Britain and genre shows with a twist!

Luke Foster – Development Executive | Iron Box Films

Currently seeking projects that tell a compelling story, are in an identifiable genre and which would have international appeal. Ideally with budgets of up to £5m.

Marielle Membreño – Development & Acquisitions Executive | Protagonist Pictures

Looking for anything from a lower budget execution-dependent psychological horror to a more expensive, cast driven comedy for an older audience. Key for us in any genre is a clear tone and a fresh point of view.

Meghan Cruz – Development Exec | Vertigo Films

looking for an original voice with an irreverent and cheeky tone, which can come in any genre or format.

Miranda Ballesteros – Global Head of Film and Television | Stink Films

If your idea is “bonkers” or “out there” then it is probably a good fit for us. We gravitate towards the visual and visceral and are looking for escapism and imagination. Female-centric projects are strongly welcomed!

Mpona Lebajoa – Development Assistant | Rocliffe

Mpona Lebajoa joined Rocliffe as Development Assistant in 2020.

Natalie McKay – Development Exec | Aardman Animations

Looking for comedy writers to work on pre-existing projects from Preschool all the way to Adult and all in between!

Nick Hayes – Development Executive | Ringside Studios

Nick also focuses on new writing and covering all submissions - looking to build on the number of projects already in development.

Paul Gilbert – Commissioning Editor | Sky Drama

Paul execs a range of shows such as Bulletproof, Tin Star, Strike Back and new Sky One sci-fi series Intergalactic starring Savannah Steyn (The Tunnel).

Robin Lyons – Managing Director | Calon TV

Interested in animated projects of all shapes and sizes. Anything we couldn’t possibly think of ourselves.

Sam Ferguson – Development Co-ordinator | Motive Pictures

Looking for stories that can find audiences both sides of the Atlantic, with high production values and casting opportunities.

Yana Georgieva – Head of Sales | Bankside Films

The company seeks to finance and distribute distinctive films of quality for theatrical release internationally. We do not focus on specific genre. We don’t do TV.

“

Great speakers and great titbits of information."

Nat Nollid, Writer, @plancommonsense, @natnollid

Hollywood Pitch Execs

Alex Villalta – Director, Creative Affairs | TriStar Television (part of the Sony Group)

Looking for female-leaning premium on-going one hour series. All genres.

Alexa L. Fogel – Casting Director & Producer | Beech Hill Films

Alexa's producer credits include "One Last Thing" starring Wendell Pierce, Jurnee Smollett-Bell & Joanne Froggatt, "Run Fat Boy Run" directed by David Schwimmer and starring Simon Pegg & Thandie Newton, and "A Hole In One" starring Michell Williams.

Brandon Combs – Producer | Relentless Lane Productions

Looking for all genres and formats (including novels)

Brigitte Bogle-van Geel – Manager, Development | Sony Pictures Television

Looking for contained, voice-driven, character-centric TV shows.

Celia Duffy – Director, Global Scripted Development | Sony Pictures Television

Prefer stories set in the present day. Not interested in period pieces.

Denise David Williams – Writer, Producer and President | MakeMagic Productions

Denise is the president of MakeMagic Productions. MakeMagic Productions is dedicated to the development and production of commercially viable and richly entertaining film, television and theatre.

Grace Ledding – Independent Producer and Manager

Grace Ledding is an independent producer and manager who began her career in entertainment ten years ago.

Jeanette Volturno – Producer & Founding Partner | CatchLight Studios

A founding Partner of CatchLight Studios, Jeanette has worked on over 85 feature films, most recently as Producer on SONGBIRD.

Karen Stirgwolt – Independent Producer

Currently looking for film and TV scripts emphasising story and character that can work in the UK and US. Collaborating with partners in LA.

Miranda King – Manager, Acquisitions | Bleecker Street

Bleecker Street is an American film distribution company based in New York City.

Nick Oleksiw – Producer/Owner | Mischief Entertainment

Looking for high concept thriller / horror / action / sci-fi / rom-com features and one-hour comedy or crime drama for TV.

Stephanie Murillo – Creative Producer | Benaroya Pictures

Benaroya Pictures was founded in 2006 by CEO Michael Benaroya to develop, finance, and produce major motion pictures across a variety of genres and platforms.

Terry Botwick – Producer | Papatime

Terry Botwick has been responsible for the creation and oversight of more than 2,000 hours of television series, special events, and films.

Tom Lockridge – Producer | Lucky Day Studios

Looking for: inspirational stories, romantic comedies, and thrillers.

Ursula Burton – Director/Producer | Five Sisters Productions

Currently looking for independent features with some financing in place (female centered dramedies or dramas preferred) to direct.

“

The LSF is my Christmas. Regent’s is my second home."

Liz Holliday, Writer

Producers

Alasdair Melrose – Producer | Dutch London Pictures

Dutch London Pictures looks to develop the offbeat, quirky and weird. They are looking for confident and clear, collaborative writers, who know their stories, their characters and why they need to be shared with the world.

Alastair Clark – Producer & Co-founder | Wellington Films

Alastair Clark founded Wellington Films in 2000 with partner Rachel Robey. In 2018 it was named by Screen International as one of the Brit 50 top independent film production companies in the UK.

Barnaby Southcombe – Director & Producer | Embargo Films

Barnaby is a founding partner of Embargo Films, which has produced "I, Anna", "Pusher", "The Sweeney", "Still Life", "Miss You Already" and "Scarborough".

Brendan McCarthy – Producer & Writer | Fantastic Films

Brendan McCarthy is a producer and screen writer. He is co – owner of Fantastic Films based in Dublin, Ireland.

Cal McGhee – Development and Production Assistant | Tailored Films

Tailored are looking for writers who preferably have one distributed feature film made already and are interested in high concept, low budget (1m euro) films in the sci-fi, thriller, comedy or horror genres.

Carol Harding – Producer & Founder/CEO | Vicarious Productions

Looking for film and drama, adaptation or original scripts with character and narratives that I have an emotional connection with, and that also have broad appeal.

Casper Shirazi – Producer & Co-founder | jolliwood entertainment

jolliwood entertainment is looking for stories with international appeal that can play seamlessly across alternative distribution channels, as well as counterprogramming content. No horrors, actions or sci-fi.

Dami Adeyeye – Producer | Elysium Pictures

Dami is looking for writers of underrepresented identities who want to write authentic and exciting stories.

Daniel-Konrad Cooper – Producer | Rather Good Films Ltd

Looking for screenplays that play to the strengths of Independent Cinema - high-concept character-driven stories that can engage and inspire international audiences.

Drew V. Marke – Producer | The Fuchsia Corner

What we're looking for: The Fuchsia Corner is focused on producing bold and thought-provoking content for film, TV and online distribution that feels original, fresh, modern and very well-executed.

Eoin Wickham – Development and Production Assistant | Tailored Films

Greer Ellison – Head of Development & Co-founder | Paradox House

Looking for film scripts that have a clear and strong genre, but find an interesting and original way to attack the space.

Hank Starrs – Producer

Seeking excellent feature-length solid-genre scripts which display brevity and wit, documentary stories and also really out-there, unusual and totally original content for all formats and platforms.

Harriet Rees – Producer | Kaleidoscope Films

looking for brilliant ideas and standout writing talent. Feel-good, commercial material – no violence or relentless misery please!

Ivan Mactaggart – Producer | Cambridge Picture Company

Primarily looking for genre stories with a unique twist and some contemporary social relevance.

James Brown – Producer | The Other Producer

James is currently packaging several projects, and is financing a feature adaptation of Alice Sebold’s memoir ‘Lucky’ starring Victoria Pedretti and Marcia Gay Harden.

James Heath – Executive Producer | Mallinson TV Productions

Interested in hearing good pitches and reading compelling scripts.

James Richard Baillie – Producer | Playa Vista Films

Produced by James Richard Baillie together with Iranian filmmaker Tina Gharavi, BAFTA-nominated "I am Nasrine" was described by Ben Kingsley as "an important and much-needed film."

Josh Cockcroft – Producer & Co-founder | Well Tempered Productions

Looking for projects about the environment and climate change, and projects with a Spanish/Hispanic link.

Kamilla Kristiane Hodøl – Producer & Co-managing Director | Elation Pictures

Elation are looking for projects at all stages of development. They are particularly eager to find comedies, sci-fis or good thrillers.

Katie Holly – Producer & Owner/MD | Blinder Films

We work across most genres, in feature films and television drama, although at the moment are more particularly looking for television drama, stories based or inspired by true events. Diversity and representation are really important to us.

Luke Kaile – Producer | Milk in First

On the lookout for proactive storytellers, people with a passion to learn beyond just the writing stage, having a desire to think about how their script and pitches work in the context of an entire production.

Malcolm Moore – Producer, co-producer & executive producer | Planispheres

Interested in independently financed lower budget dramas and documentaries with multi-platform potential and a budget range €500,000 - €4m.

Marcia Do Vales – Producer | EnMar Productions

One of the UK’s brightest horror genre imports, Brazilian-born Marcia is looking for strong female-driven dramas/thrillers, action/adventure, posh horrors and high-concept scripts.

Margot Douglas – Producer | Old Hall Films

Having cut her teeth on commercials and promos Margot Douglas has spent the last few years coordinating on award winning short films.

Natalie Gothelf – Producer | NKD Films

Natalie produced Carol, Struck, Through a Screen Darkly.

Neil Thompson – Producer | Fat Films

Looking for fresh, compelling, contemporary thrillers and high-concept comedies.

Nick Sadler – Producer | First Flights Media

Looking for commercial genre features under £3M. Interested particularly in sci-fi, action and horror stories with a fresh hook and international appeal. Not looking for British comedy.

Nikolai Galitzine – Producer | Advantage Pictures

Seeking sci-fi, political drama, art house, European thriller, experimental mixed drama/documentary (not drama-docs), historical, westerns.

Paul Dixon – Producer | Thunderbolt Media & Entertainment

Thunderbolt Media & Entertainment is open to all genres except Gore/Slasher.

Rachel Richardson-Jones – Producer | Not A Number

Not a Number's current slate of projects includes sci-fi thrillers, cutting edge comedy, crime thrillers and psychological horror.

Rajita Shah – Producer | Miraj Films

Rajita was Longlisted for a BIFA in category of "Breakthrough Producer" 2020 and is Film London Lodestar 2021.

Richard Jackson – Producer | Talisman Films

Producer of classic adventure hit "Rob Roy" and horror classic "The Woman In Black" and its sequel "The Woman In Black 2: Angel Of Death", now seeking a high-concept thriller.

Saskia Schuster – Head of Scripted | Fulwell 73

Saskia started her career in drama as a freelance script editor before climbing her way up the comedy ladder to Sky, then ITV and recently to Fulwell 73, where James Corden is a partner.

Shirani Le Mercier – Producer & Founder | Spring Time Films

Currently seeking: Live action - Adventure, thriller, sci-fi, comedy/romcom, family. Animation: Family/fantasy.

Sol Papadopoulos – Producer, Director and Founder | Hurricane Films

Hurricane Films' ethos is to tell great stories - whether fact or fiction.

Stephanie Bamberg – Producer | Kult Fiktion Ltd

Currently focused on historical and fantasy Sci-fi genres with big stories that are based on the characters' journeys. We are looking for stories that need to be told now.

Stewart Le Marechal – Producer | MetFilm

Stewart is open to hearing most ideas although less keen on straight horror. Looking for both Film and TV.

Susan Simnett – Producer | Over The Fence Films

Susan has an interest in developing and producing films across genre but with a focus on stories that provoke; stories that embrace who we are and where we might go; stories that shift our axis of understanding.

Thembisa Cochrane – Producer and Co-founder | Caspian Films

Seeking entertaining stories and quality, performance-driven drama with genre elements, particularly European co-productions.

Vaughan Sivell – Producer | Western Edge Pictures

WEP is a multi-award winning independent production company based in London and West Wales. Its current slate includes production and development in film, TV, theatre and digital media.

“

Absolute value for money. My advice would be to new attendees: take a look at the schedule and all the speakers in advance and do a bit of research."

Sarah Turner, Screenwriter

Agents

Andrew Mills – Agent | Revolution Talent

Andrew has been a talent manager working with screenwriters, directors and dramatic rights for eighteen years. His clients range from first-time filmmakers to Oscar nominees, working in all genres and media around the world.