Her credits include this year’s highly anticipated film Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini, and the BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated film, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (co-written by Bridget O ‘Connor) with Gary Oldman, Colin Firth and Benedict Cumberbatch. He also adapted BAFTA and Golden Globe winner Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall for the BBC, as well as its upcoming sequel, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, currently in production.

Sponsored by North East Screen, the Screenwriting Weekender takes place at the Live Theatre. Lisa Laws, Development Director at North East Screen, said: “We are delighted to sponsor New Writing North on The Screenwriting Weekender, which features an impressive line-up of world-class talent.

“Stories are the lifeblood of our industry and the region has a rich history of storytelling in all its forms. However, for years we have lacked a local industry visible from the screen. This is starting to change, with the North East seeing an 89% increase in film and television production over the past two years, and a four-fold increase in orders from the region. For anyone looking to make the most of these new opportunities to bring their never-before-seen stories to global audiences, this event is a must-see.

The weekend will explore a range of topics from demystifying writers’ rooms to creating remarkable characters to pitching. Leading entertainment company, FilmNation TV, is supporting 10 scholarship places to support Northern writers who would otherwise not be able to access the event to take part. Kirstie Macdonald, Creative Director of FilmNation TV UK, said: “I’m delighted to take part in this exciting event amongst such wonderful local talent and be part of the renewed wave of enthusiasm for our fantastic region. »

Writer John Higgs, who specializes in finding untold stories that can change the way we see the world, will give a session on how to maintain your creativity and optimism in a market-driven industry and an uncertain world. Higgs’ books include explorations of James Bond (Love and Let Die) and Stranger Than We Can Imagine: Making Sense of the Twentieth Century.

Jo Schofield, Senior Talent Executive, Screen Yorkshire and former screenwriter at Emmerdale And Coronation Street will chair a conversation with Northern writer Jackie Okwera, who has worked in writers’ rooms for HBO Max, Netflix, Apple TV+, Sky and Channel 4, and drama commissioner Phil Dodds, about their experiences navigating the industry and work in writers. rooms.

Jess Loveland, Head of New Writing at the BBC and Kirstie Macdonald, Creative Director of FilmNation TV UK, will explain how writers can create a specific storyline that will wow agents and production companies. Malak El-Gonemy, Head of Development at Tiger Aspect, will chair a conversation with writers Mark Brotherhood (Ludwig), Jason Cook (Hebburn) and Ashley Storrie (Dinosaur) about getting started in writing comedies for film .

Roxy McKenna, Development Producer (Screen) at New Writing North, said: “This is an opportunity to hear from those working at the forefront of television, with invaluable ideas and exercises, from creating an unlikely opening for your script, to sessions with the main actors of television. agents on how to break into the industry, from learning to pitch ideas to key development producers. There will also be a focus on the writing itself: how to navigate audience trends, maintain creativity, and generally be inspired. There will also be the opportunity to network with other writers, as well as producers and backers at mixes throughout the weekend.

Attending are representatives from North East Screen, CreativeUK, Film Hub North, BBC, BFI NETWORK and Film and TV Charity, as well as executives and producers from regional production companies keen to network with Northern writers. Other speakers include development producer Emma Millions, who has created hundreds of pitch decks and written for Ant and Dec, and Alex Cameron of Parrot Analytics, who uses data to explore the tension between writing what you think you an audience wants and what you, as a writer, want to say.

Topics will also explore the mental health and well-being of writers, as well as ways to improve the often financially precarious and emotionally difficult experience of being a television writer. New Writing North’s says its mission is to remove barriers to opportunity for talented writers in the North, helping to identify, support and create career change opportunities.

The charity develops creative writing and reading in the north of England. Based in Newcastle, the Arts Council Portfolio Organization has been developing new writing talent since 1996.

It runs numerous awards and writer development programs to support screenwriters, including the Channel 4 Writing for TV Awards which provide support programs for emerging writers in the north, including internships at film production companies Bonafide Films, Red Production Company and Rollem Productions.