Speakers

SPEAKERS WILL BEGIN TO APPEAR IN EARLY 2020
The London Screenwriters’ Festival features around 100 professional speakers from all aspects of the film and television business. Many have also agreed to intimate Script Chat sessions after their respective events so that you can get face time with them. New speakers are added periodically with the vast majority being confirmed late spring / early summer 2020. Get updates by signing up below.

“

Awesome! A unique chance to spend time in conversation with a lot of people in senior positions in the industry..."

Nik Bower, Riverstone Media

Nik Bower, Riverstone Media

Headliners

Randall Wallace

Randall Wallace – Writer, Producer, Director

Credits include: Braveheart, The Man in the Iron Mask, We Were Soldiers, Pearl Harbor

Oscar®-nominated Randall is behind some of the most successful films in cinematic history.
Randall Wallace
“

The PitchFest is such a positive and important event for both pitcher and producer; it's where preparation can meet opportunity."

M J McMahon, Director/Producer, Capture

M J McMahon, Director/Producer, Capture

Screenwriters

Barbara Machin

Barbara Machin – Screenwriter, Showrunner

Credits include: Waking The Dead, The Bill

Barbara Machin is the BAFTA and EMMY award-winning screenwriter who created BBC One’s worldwide-selling hit series Waking The Dead.
Barbara Machin
Clive Frayne

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.
Clive Frayne
Debbie Horsfield

Debbie Horsfield – Screenwriter

Credits include: Poldark; Sex, Chips & Rock 'n Roll; All The Small Things

Debbie is responsible for the BBC smash hit Poldark and is an award-winning screenwriter and playwright.
Debbie Horsfield
Dominic Morgan

Dominic Morgan – Screenwriter

Credits include: Hard Target 2, An Act of Defiance

Dominic has written for 30+ studios and production companies, including Universal Studios, Working Title, Scott Free and the BBC.
Dominic Morgan
Helen Black

Helen Black – Screenwriter

Credits include: Clink, Gimme Shelter

Lawyer turned novelist turned award-winning screenwriter, Helen has original projects in development with BBC Studios, Endor Productions and Snowed In.
Helen Black
Jeff Pope

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.
Jeff Pope
Jon Gilbert

Jon Gilbert – Screenwriter, Script Consultant

Credits include: The Zigzag Kid

Jon is a screenwriter and script consultant with over fifteen years’ experience working in the UK and US film industries.
Jon Gilbert
Marnie Dickens

Marnie Dickens – Screenwriter

Credits include: Thirteen, Gold Digger

Marnie is the creator and writer of drama Thirteen that aired on BBC Three iPlayer, BBC Two and BBC America, starring Jodie Comer (Killing Eve). Her latest original drama series is Gold Digger.
Marnie Dickens
Michal Aviram

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.
Michal Aviram
Philip Lawrence

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.
Philip Lawrence
“

I doubt so much information has ever been shared so generously with so many people in such short time."

Emma King-Farlow, Screenwriter

Emma King-Farlow, Screenwriter

People Who Get Stuff Made

Mellie Buse

Mellie Buse – Screenwriter, Producer

Credits include: Grandpa In My Pocket

Mellie has written on many popular children’s shows including Grandpa In My Pocket (awarded the 2010 Welsh BAFTA for Best Children’s Programme) and runs Adastra Creative Ltd.
Mellie Buse
Julian Friedmann

Julian Friedmann – Film, TV and Literary Agent

Agent and great supporter of emerging talent

Julian has years of experience as a literary agent and was the founder of ScriptWriter magazine.
Julian Friedmann
Gub Neal

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.
Gub Neal
Catherine Williams

Catherine Williams – Screenwriter

Credits include: New Teletubbies, Topsy and Tim, Waffle the Wonder Dog, Chip and Potato

Catherine has over 15 years' experience as series co-creator, writer, head writer and script editor on many Bafta-winning kids' shows.
Catherine Williams
Jane Steventon

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.
Jane Steventon
Joanna Strevens

Joanna Strevens – Executive Producer, Carnival Films

Credits include: The Tunnel, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher

Jo began as a BBC Script Editor and went on to develop drama for Hat Trick, Kudos and Carnival.
Joanna Strevens
John Yorke

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.
John Yorke
Samantha Horley

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.
Samantha Horley
Steve November

Steve November – MD, Further South Productions

Credits include: Coronation Street, Emmerdale

Steve has experience developing drama on acclaimed shows such as Downton Abbey, Broadchurch and The Durrells.
Steve November
“

I have worked at the BBC for twelve years and I have never had the opportunity to meet the experts that I have over this weekend."

Michelle Brooks, Producer, Director

Michelle Brooks, Producer, Director

Directors

Anthony Byrne

Anthony Byrne – Director

Credits include: Peaky Blinders, Ripper Street, Mr Selfridge

Anthony has directed many high-end dramas and the current Peaky Blinders. He recently directed music videos for Hozier and Liam Gallagher.
Anthony Byrne
John Stevenson

John Stevenson – Director

Credits include: Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, Madagascar

John has over 40 years' experience in film development, earning an Academy Award nomination as director on Kung Fu Panda.
John Stevenson
“

The Script Surgery was awesome. I received invaluable feedback on making my story stand out from the crowd."

Sam Dods, Screenwriter

Sam Dods, Screenwriter

People Who Know Stuff

Lucy V Hay

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.
Lucy V Hay
Hayley McKenzie

Hayley McKenzie – Script Editor

Credits include: Hollyoaks, Casualty, Blue Murder

Hayley McKenzie is an experienced Script Editor in UK television and feature films and the founder of Script Angel.
Hayley McKenzie
Ellin Stein

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.
Ellin Stein
Dr Raj Persaud

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.
Dr Raj Persaud
Chris Jones

Chris Jones – Filmmaker, Author

Credits include: Oscar-shortlisted Gone Fishing, the Guerilla Handbooks and a bunch of feature films

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

David Baboulene, PhD – Narrative Theorist, Story Consultant

Credits include: Story Theory

David's research into narrative theory has demonstrated how the power of every story lies in the way it resonates with the human mind.
David Baboulene, PhD
David Pope

David Pope – Script Consultant, Screenwriter

David has delivered script consultancy services for projects all over the world, including films that have been candidates for Academy Awards.
David Pope
Joey Tuccio

Joey Tuccio – Roadmap Writers | CEO

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

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.
Karol Griffiths
Kira-Anne Pelican, PhD

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.
Kira-Anne Pelican, PhD
Michael Brooks, PhD

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.
Michael Brooks, PhD
Nic Ransome

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.
Nic Ransome
Philip Hughes

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.
Philip Hughes
Pilar Alessandra

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.
Pilar Alessandra
Rick Edwards

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.
Rick Edwards
Shelly Mellot

Shelly Mellot – Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Final Draft

Shelly manages the professional and educational sales divisions, develops initiatives that drive sales across all retail channels, and manages marketing, events and customer relations at Final Draft.
Shelly Mellot
Ted Wilkes

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.
Ted Wilkes
“

Attending LondonSWF was one of the biggest favours I’ve ever done for myself."

Zarina Maharaj, Screenwriter

Zarina Maharaj, Screenwriter

Moderators

Gail Hackston

Gail Hackston – Screenwriter, Director

Credits include: 50 Kisses, Cancer Hair

Gail's short Cancer Hair won Best Fiction and Best of Fest at the Isle of Man Film Festival and IMDb New Filmmaker of the Year at Bath Film Festival.
Gail Hackston
Georgina Sherrington

Georgina Sherrington – Development Producer

Georgina has worked in script editing for Harlots S3 (Hulu/Amazon) and Gormenghast (Fremantle), in commissioning for BBC Drama, and development for Euston Films.
Georgina Sherrington
Henry Fitzherbert

Henry Fitzherbert – Screenwriter

Credits include: Slaughterhouse Rulez, Born a King

With Crispian Mills, Henry co-wrote Slaughterhouse Rulez (2018), a comedy-horror starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Michael Sheen.
Henry Fitzherbert
Liz Slade

Liz Slade – Moderator, Screenwriter, Lawyer

Liz has hosted Q&As with filmmakers at the Raindance Film Festival for the last three years and interviewed Christopher Hampton at LSF Accelerate.
Liz Slade
Michael Rosser

Michael Rosser – Film/TV Journalist

Mike has worked for IMDb, Screen International and Broadcast magazine, covering every major film event including the Oscars, Emmys and BAFTAs, interviewing everyone from Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese to Denzel Washington.
Michael Rosser
Rachel Paterson

Rachel Paterson – Screenwriter

Credits include: Casualty

Rachel signed with Independent Talent in 2017 and started writing for Casualty in 2018. She has just finished her fifth episode as a core writer.
Rachel Paterson
Sarah Drew

Sarah Drew – Screenwriter

Screenwriter, musician and producer, Sarah brings her impeccable moderating skills back to the LSF this year.
Sarah Drew
Toby Earle

Toby Earle – TV and Film Critic

Toby Earle was formerly TV & Entertainment Editor at London Live where he wrote and presented What to Watch, a weekly show interviewing TV and film talent.
Toby Earle
Vera Mark

Vera Mark – Screenwriter, Multi-Format Storyteller

Driven by a life-long love of epic stories, Vera aims to write elevated entertainment – action/adventure stories about environmental and political issues, with occasional futuristic or supernatural elements.
Vera Mark
“

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!"

Suzanna Cardash, Screenwriter, @suzannacardash

Suzanna Cardash, Screenwriter, @suzannacardash