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.

Annabel Wigoder – Head of Development | Salon Films

Annabel is Head of Development at Salon and has additionally taken on a producing role within the company.

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

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

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

Looking for: Prime Time Christmas movie & romcom pitches. For our Christmas content, we want writers who can fuse together well-crafted plots, Christmas heart and comedy beats to create that Christmas magic that audiences love.

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

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.

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.

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.

Olivia Aubry – Independent Development Producer

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

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).

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.

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.

Zack Fox – Production and Development Coordinator | Pistachio Pictures

Zack joined Pistachio Pictures in 2017 as the Producer’s Assistant and now works across a diverse slate of film and television projects as the Production and Development Coordinator.

“

From my first time last year, I have seen a tangible difference in the quality of my writing. I couldn’t wait to get back and learn more."

Vicky Hinault, Screenwriter

Hollywood Pitch Execs

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.

Anna Halberg – Producer/Co-Owner | Six Foot Turkey Productions

Coming-of-Age,Revenge,Inspirational,True Stories,Biopics,Young Adult (YA),Female-Driven,Crime/True Crime,Psychological,High-Concept,Books,Graphic Novels,Documentary Adaptations under $5MM,$5MM - $30MM

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.

Brandon Combs – Producer | Relentless Lane Productions

Looking for all genres and formats (including novels)

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.

Evan Schmitt – Creative Director | Balance Pictures

Looking for drama, comedy, action, thriller features Micro (under $1MM), Low ($1MM - $5MM) or Mid-range ($5MM - $10MM) budgets and drama or comedy half-hour pilots, one-hour pilots, miniseries, limited series or movies for TV.

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.

Robert L. Stein – CEO | RobEri Media

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

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.

“

Thank you for the encouragement, inspiration and the opportunity to be part of a community. It really was a life-changing experience."

Donna O’Reilly, Screenwriter

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.

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.

Colin Vaines – Executive Producer | Synchronistic Films

Independent Brit film + Emmy-winning TV producer whose credits include Filmstars Don't Die in Liverpool, My Week With Marilyn, Coriolanus, The Young Victoria & Gangs of New York.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Lucinda Whiteley – Screenwriter, Producer & Co-founder | Novel Entertainment

Writer and Producer of over 700 TV programmes, Lucinda is co-founder and Creative Director of Novel Entertainment.

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.

Mark Forstater – Producer & Co-founder | 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.

Natalie Gothelf – Prodcuer | 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.

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.

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.

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 & 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.

Xenia Glen – Producer | Misfits Entertainment

Xenia Glen is a producer at the BAFTA-nominated Misfits Entertainment.

“

Some absolute standout sessions for me and not one duff one – now that is a hell of an achievement!"

Jan Caston, 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.