Cheltenham Film Studios launch for International Screenwriters' Festival

Representatives from local businesses, government organisations and the media community will be out in force for the launch of the first International Screenwriters' Festival at Cheltenham Film Studios.
They will be joined by celebrity guests including Barbara Machin, Creator of 'Waking the Dead', Simon Shepherd (Will Preston - 'Peak Practice'), James Redmond (John Denham - 'Casualty'/Finn - 'Hollyoaks') and Martina Laird (Comfort Newton - 'Casualty').
Taking place between 27 June and 1 July at Cheltenham Film Studios, the Screenwriters' Festival is being supported by a number of high profile patrons and supporters, including 'Priest' and 'Cracker' screenwriter Jimmy McGovern, 'Gosford Park' Oscar-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes and 'Gladiator' screenwriter William Nicholson.
The Festival, supported by South West Screen, Cheltenham Council and locally based international film lawyers, Wiggin, will provide a unique opportunity for industry professionals and new talent from all over the world to come together to share experiences and ideas around writing dramatic scripts for film, television and new media.
The festival will attract professional industry delegates, high profile guests and new entrants, giving screenwriters, producers, directors and actors a unique forum to debate and discuss writing dramatic scripts for film and television.
The festival aims to:

• Give screenwriters a place to meet and discuss their work;
• Introduce international producers and directors to writing talent;
• Provide a lively platform for discussing key industry issues;
• Discover the keys for achieving high quality writing;
• Provide a supportive programme for new writers;
• Contribute to the development of moving image culture in the UK.

Festival Director, David Pearson of Arturi Films, commented: "We're planning a really ambitious programme of events for the June festival, including a New Writers' Day aimed at attracting emerging new talent and giving established talent a place to meet and hear other writers and producers experiences. This is a really exciting project, great news for the whole industry and great news in particular for Cheltenham and its business community".
For more information visit: www.screenwritersfestival.com
(SP)