Festival 2007 - What they said

Well it's been over two months since the Festival finished and we are currently winding down, but we would like to let you know what's been said about the Festival so far, and we've had a lot of positive feedback from this year, but don't take our word for it, here are some quotes...

Those who came to speak

Rhianna Pratchett

"Just wanted to drop you a line and say it was good to meet you at the screenwriters festival. Was a great event in a lovely location, and I was quite surprised how receptive people were to the idea of writing for games."

Rhianna Pratchett
Games Writer

Michael Goldenberg

"The Screenwriters Festival is a wonderful resource, the sort of thing I wish we had more of in the States. David Pearson has created an environment both rigorous and generous, where aspiring screenwriters can get the feedback and reality checks they need to improve their craft in an exceptionally positive atmosphere."

Michael Goldenberg
Writer, ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ and ‘Contact’

Paul Brett

"Many thanks for making my visit to Cheltenham such a pleasant experience. I sincerely hope that the Festival went off smoothly. I look forward to attending for longer next year."

Paul Brett
Prescience Film Finance

Sophie Meyer

"I just wanted to say thank you for inviting me down to the festival. It was great to hear David Hare’s speech and to see what a marvellous set up you have down there. You really have created something impressive."

Sophie Meyer
Head of Development, Ealing Studios

Simon Hunter

"The festival was thoroughly well organized, but what impressed me the most was the sheer level of industry insiders they managed to get. It was truly dedicated to the screenwriter, lectures and events were given by people who actually wrote, produced and directed for a living."

Simon Hunter
Writer/Director, ‘The Mutant Chronicles’

Those who came to listen

"I came along to the rising talent part of the festival this year and I just wanted to say that enjoyed it very much. My favourite speaker was Justin Trefgarne on Development Hell who I thought was just brilliant."
Ida Akesson

"I really enjoyed the festival last week. I learnt plenty and enjoyed mixing with other writers. I also got universally positive feedback from everyone I spoke to."
Richard Brandon

"Many thanks for an absolutely brilliant Festival. I really enjoyed the experience, met some very interesting people and heard some fantastic speakers - a thoroughly inspiring time. Thanks for everything."
Lesley Robinson

"Very enjoyable, very interesting and very useful: just some of the feedback I've heard from a variety of festival goers from a range of backgrounds. Bloody well done."
Andy Freedman

"This year's screenwriters festival was absolutely brilliant. Thank you so much for the evident hard work and dedication to the cause of the writer. Things are moving along for me, and I am freshly inspired following the buzz of creativity and determination that is in the festival air."
Jane Payne

"Thanks very much for a great two days last week. Every year of this festival looks to be so good - it just gets better! Amazing what you have all created there."
Mark Lavender

"I hope you are well. I would just like to say a very big thank you, once again, for a well organised and successful festival this year. I enjoyed last year's, but this year was even better!"
Richard Bate

"I attended the Festival last week for the four days and wanted to say how much I enjoyed it. You all did a great job to make it smooth-running and professional and everyone I spoke with felt the same. As a newbie writer to the industry I learned so much both from the sessions and from talking to such a broad range of people. As you mentioned, some of the smaller sessions, such as Terence Davies' were extraordinary. Please let me know if there will be interim events, but in any event, I look forward to coming again next year."
Phillip Forsyth

"I wanted to learn more about the creative process and came away feeling enriched and exhilarated (if a trifle brain damaged) after an amazing experience, which delivered insight and (hopefully) inspiration to the writing of screenplays!! You organised a really terrific event - opportunity to network and also talk to such "approachable" experts. I did not hear one word that was not positive and/or praise-filled and want to personally congratulate you on such a successful festival. Sincere thanks again to all concerned."
Debi Nethersol

"Thank you for a couple of wonderful days in Cheltenham. It really was a great pleasure and very inspiring – also for us non-scriptwriters."
Riina Spørring Zachariassen

Read quotes from the 2006 Festival»