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

Alexandra Pappas – Manager, Distribution, Latin America | Lionsgate

As Manager of International Television Distribution at Lionsgate, Alexandra Pappas helps oversee the regional distribution of the Company’s film and television library in Latin America.

Amory Leader – Producer and Development Executive

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

Chloë Beeson – Development Script Editor | Drama Republic

Chloe joined Drama Republic in July 2019 from the Film, Theatre & TV Department at Curtis Brown, where she was Assistant to Lily Williams.

Daisy Gilbert – Head of Development | Moonriver TV

Daisy Gilbert is the Head of Development at Moonriver TV.

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.

Hattie Burles – Acquisitions Executive - DCD Rights

Interested in bold and compelling drama series for international audiences. Bonus points for crime/thriller elements, well-developed characters and returnable series.

James Wooldridge – Development Executive | Company Pictures

James Wooldridge is the Development Executive at Company Pictures

Katie Wilkinson – Acquisitions Assistant - Signature Entertainment

We are looking for contained thrillers, action, historical action, true crime, and if a good romcom comes along then great!

Kelly Wray – Development Assistant | Clerkenwell Films

Kelly Wray is a Development Assistant at Clerkenwell Films

Keren Coleman – Script Editor | Abbott Vision Productions

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

Lillian Kibedi – CEO | Akoberwa Films

Lillian Kibedi is the CEO of Akoberwa Films

Lucy Raffety – Director of Development — Company Pictures

Lucy instigated a Writers’ Room system at Casualty which now commissions the majority of its writers in that way.

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.

Meghan Cruz – Development Exec | Vertigo Films

An accomplished development and production professional, with experience in scouting and nurturing emerging talent and diverse voices.

Mpona Lebajoa – Development Assistant - Rocliffe

Mpona Lebajoa joined Rocliffe as Development Assistant in 2020.

Natalie McKay – Development Exec | Aardman Animations

Natalie is a Development Executive at Aardman Animations.

Olivia Aubry – Independent Development Producer

Looking for: In terms of scripts: Sci-fi, young adult, comedy. Film and TV.

Paul Sukhija – Development - Aimimage Productions

Low-med budget film proposals: there is a wide range of things we would consider, from personal dramas with GREAT characters to genre ideas that don’t feel off-the-shelf and we are particularly keen to hear stories told from a female perspective.

Paul Testar – Producer/Script Editor - Mammoth Screen

Looking for 60 minute TV drama ideas of any genre for UK broadcasters, so should ideally have some British element in the idea. Other than, just looking for quality and originality.

Rohit Jain – MD Emerging Markets & South Asia | Lionsgate (India)

Rohit Jain is the Managing Director South Asia and Networks for Emerging Markets Asia at Lionsgate.

Thembisa Cochrane – Producer and Co-founder | Caspian Films

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

Thomas Hawkins – Development Exec | Wildgaze

Tom is Head of Development, Film and TV for Wildgaze.

Will South – Creative Executive | Marv Studios

Will South is the Creative Executive at Marv Studios.

Zack Fox – Production and Development Coordinator | Pistachio Pictures

Zack joined Pistachio in 2017 as the Producer’s Assistant and now juggles that with being the Production and Development Coordinator, working across a diverse slate of film and television projects.

“

The very fact that you are at the London Screenwriters’ Festival means you want to learn and improve your writing skills, and there are many opportunities to do this."

Rita Wheeler, Screenwriter

Hollywood Pitch Execs

Arianna Eisenberg – Writer, Producer and CEO | Aegis Film Group

Aegis Film Group was founded in 2003 by Arianna Eisenberg, a writer/producer and published author.

Casper Shirazi – Co-founder & Producer | Jolliwood Entertainment

Casper Shirazi is the co-founder of Jolliwood Entertainment.

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.

Elliott Brannon – Director, Acquisitions & Content Strategy | Lionsgate (US)

Elliott Brannon is the Director, Acquisitions & Content Strategy at Lionsgate US.

Evan Schmitt – Creative Director - Balance Pictures

Please see bio to see what Evan is looking for

Lisa Zupan – Executive & VP | Wendy Finerman Productions

Lisa Zupan is the Vice President of Development and Production at Wendy Finerman Productions

Meyer Schwarzstein – Producer & President | Brainstorm Media

Meyer Shwarzstein is the President for Brainstorm Media.

Nick Olesksiw – Producer/Owner - Mischief Entertainment

Looking for high concept thriller / horror / adventure material.

Robert L. Stein – CEO | RobEri Media

Robert has had a rich and varied career in Hollywood, including agenting, producing and now writing.

Tom Lockridge – US Producer from Lucky Day Studios

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

“

It's an incredible festival and I'm really fortunate to have been a part of it."

Luke Ryan, Producer 'The Cabin In The Woods'

Producers

Alasdair Melrose – Actor, Producer, Director | Dutch London Pictures

Alasdair Melrose is an actor and producer, known for Dona & Vixen (2020), Potty the Plant (2017).

Alex Baldwin – Producer | Radical Media

Alex Baldwin is a producer at Radical Media

Alex Boden – Producer | Pistachio Pictures

Alex Boden is a film and TV producer working in the UK and internationally, specialising in co-productions and international productions.

Andee Ryder – Producer

Andee (Dee) is an Emmy award-winning and BAFTA-nominated film producer.

Barnaby Southcombe – Director, Producer

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.

Catherine Davies – Producer | Skipyard Productions

Catherine Davies is the Co-founder, Producer, Creative Director of Skipyard Productions.

Colin Vaines – Executive Producer | Synchronistic Films

He produced The Marriage of Reason & Squalor for Sky Arts, executive produced Red Dog True Blue, and, with Barbara Broccoli, the Bafta-nominated Film Stars Don"t Die In Liverpool.

Dami Adeyeye – Producer - Elysium Pictures

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

Dan Kemp – Executive Producer, Make Films

Make Films are keen to hear about scripts that would appeal to 18-30 year old audiences, narrative-led VR shorts, and are open to anything unique and character-driven, ideally low budget.

Darin McLeod – Producer - Winter Garden Pictures

Darin's career spans over 15 years in production, creating more than 100 hours of Television plus Feature Films.

Eve Gabereau – Producer, Distributor & Founder | Modern Films

Eve Gabereau is an award-winning film distributor and producer and the founder of Modern Films.

Gary Phillips – MD & Founder | Moviehouse Entertainment

Gary Phillips is joint managing director of UK based international sales and production company Moviehouse Entertainment, formed in 2001.

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

Harriet produced feature film Chalet Girl (starring Felicity Jones and Bill Nighy). The film was widely released in the UK by Paramount / Momentum and achieved great success here and worldwide. Chalet Girl is shown regularly on Channel 4, and is a popular

Irune Gurtubai – Producer | Caravan Cinema

Irune Gurtubai produced Pikadero (Spain/UK, 2015).

Ivan MacTaggart – Producer | Cambridge Picture Company

Ivan Mactaggart is a British film producer best known for his 2017 production Loving Vincent, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature at the 90th Academy Awards.

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 Richard Baillie – Producer

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."

Jane Wright – Executive Producer - Counterpoint Partnership

Formerly the managing director of BBC Films (1998-2010) and now a Director of the Counterpoint Partnership, Jane Wright brings a wealth of experience of the film industry.

Jayney Mackie – Writer & Producer | Pink Flamingo Films

Jayney has written and produced short films and her first independent feature film: THE COVEN was released in 2014 and has since been distributed throughout the UK and US and internationally.

Jeanette Volturno – Producer, Founding Partner of 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.

Kate Verity Wilson – CEO, Producer & Consultant - Fury Films

Kate won the Best Producer Award at the Underwire Festival 2017 for 13 and Fury Film’s premier event for Asghar Farhadi’s The Salesman won Best Film Event of the Year at the Screen Awards 2017.

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.

Mark Forstater – Producer - Dreambird

The first film he produced was "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" and he has gone on to produce 31 more films, plus many other projects besides.

Molly McGregor – Development and Production Coordinator | Sharp House

Molly has produced and production managed short films, promos and commercials.

Natalie Gothelf – Prodcuer | NKD Films

Natalie produced Carol, Struck, Through a Screen Darkly.

Nikolai Galitzine – Producer, Advantage Pictures

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

Paida Mutonono – Development Producer | Joi Productions

Paida is a Producer and Writer. A Masters Graduate from the National Film and Television School, she has produced number of award winning short films including Solar Plexus (Cannes 2019).

Paula Crickard – Producer & co-founder | Haz Films

Paula Crickard Co Founder HaZ Film Head of Post Production Nu Boyana UK Paula has produced several award winning feature drama's and documentaries for release on multiple platforms.

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.

Ruth Treacy – Producer | Tailored Films

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, comedy or horror genres, plus a feature film that is a magical adventure for children.

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 - Spring Time Films

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

Stephanie Bamberg – Producer - Kult Fiktion Ltd

Looking for a good “hero’s journey” that tells a human story. We are also interested in thrillers and stories with a lovely twist. Changing the audience’s expectations and getting them “off guard”.

Terry Botwick – Producer | Papatime

Terry Botwick produced Hosea, Captive, Cool It (Documentary).

Wendy Griffin – Producer | Selkie Productions

Selkie is currently developing projects with several directors and co-producers and is keen to work with new and diverse talent.

Neil Thompson – Producer | Fat Films

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

Stewart Le Marechal – Producer - MetFilm

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

“

It was was huge! A brilliant event. Fun and inspiring – if only the whole world could experience something like this! Thanks everyone for making this awesome."

Richard Osborne, 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.

Brandy Rivers – Agent | Industry Entertainment LA

Brandy is looking for TV, and in features: contained thrillers, elevated horror, big world action movies and broad comedies. Also, books for film/tv.

Eva Robinson – Agent | Sayle Screen

Eva joined Sayle Screen in September 2016 after graduating from Edinburgh University. She works alongside all the agents, supporting their clients, whilst building her own list of writers and directors across theatre, film and TV.