SWF'07 - WATERPROOF

What a summer? This year was possibly the worst seasonal weather on record thanks to the unstoppable rain and consequent flooding. With the majority of Gloucestershire being turned into the setting for 'Waterworld II', Festivals were being cancelled left right and centre. Fortunately the week that SWF'07 was held on was pretty good compared to the weeks on either side of it. Our festival this year was very, very lucky to avoid any serious problems caused by the horrendous weather and fuelled by great speakers, lively networking aided by a glass or two of the local vino where a merry time was had by all. No rain or flood was dampening any spirits here!!!

From Tuesday 3rd to Friday 6th July 2007 nearly 600 writers, directors, producers, guest speakers, sponsors and developers descended on the Manor by the Lake in Cheltenham for the second very successful International Screenwriters' Festival.

Amongst the sessions, talks, discussions and debates there was time to network and chill out. Throughout the four day festival there were two large parties, one sponsored by Skillset Academy Wales, the other sponsored by Film London and the Spanish Embassy, which gave delegates and speakers a lot of networking opportunities; allowing everyone to relax and make contact with other writers, producers and executives leading to possible script development prospects. They also gave the delegates an opportunity to let their hair down and shake their thing with some Salsa dancers and a live Spanish band. Arreba!!

Throughout the run-up to SWF'08 we will bring you success stories from writers who had projects optioned or taken on by agents, as well as from producers who found their next big thing or project at the festival.

If you have had any success as a result of attending SWF’06 or 07, we’d love to hear it, so please send any success stories to info@screenwritersfestival.com and we'll put it on the website.

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SWF'07 - HEAR IT NOW

Most of the festival sessions are now available to download*, so hop on over to the Podcast pages and, if you were there, re-live SWF'07 and if you weren't, hear what you missed.

Subjects such as adapting, diversity, writing for games and young Harold Potter were examined, talked about and pondered through panel's, debates and Q&A's. Whether you are interested in Dr. Raj Persaud's examination of the writers psyche or Diana Ossana's charting of the difficult development for 'Brokeback Mountain' you’ll find the majority of the sessions here. Maybe listen to director Stephen Frears talking to Nigel Floyd about what he looks for in a script or one of the many panel discussions on Screenwriters’ Manifesto and Code of Practice.

(*Note: Sessions that are not available are the live commentaries or sessions that took place in the Manor house. Also, all film and video clips have been cut from the podcasts due to copyright limitations.)

TAKE ME TO THE PODCAST PAGES, NOW!!!

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SWF'07 – WHO WAS THERE

For a festival like this to continue we must pay credit to everyone who donated their time and resources to come to Cheltenham and engage with our eager and attentive delegates. So we would like to thank, in alphabetical order, (deep breath) Abi Morgan, Alison Owen, Amanda Tabak, Ann Hilden, Anne Woods, Anthony Horowitz, Ashley Pharoah, Atiha Sen Gupta, Brian Ward, Charles Harris, Charles Moore, Christopher Smith, Danny Stack, David Hare, David Kavanagh, David Kipen, David Thompson, Diana Ossana, Ed Blum, Ed Rubin, Elinor Burns, Finola Dwyer, Guy Shepherd, Holly Hughes, Isabelle Raynauld, Jack Arbuthnott, Jack Thorne, Jake West, Jane McCloskey, Jeremy Hylton Davies, Julian Friedmann, Jurgen Wolff, Justin Trefgarne, Kate Leys, Kate Rowland, Katherine Butler, Keith Potter, Maggie Ellis, Matt Connell, Matthew Bates, Menhaj Huda, Mia Bays, Michael Goldenberg, Michael Gubbins, Nigel Floyd, Noel Clarke, Olivia Hetreed, Paul Ashton, Paul Bassett Davies, Paul Brett, Paul Gallagher, Pere Roca, Peter Carlton, Peter Sleeman, Rachel Holroyd, Rahila Gupta, Raj Persaud, Rhianna Pratchett, Rob Kraitt, Robert Jones, Robyn Slovo, Rowan Joffe, Sam Lavender, Sarah Gavron, Sarah Smith, Shawn Slovo, Simon Hunter, Simon Oakes, Simon Relph, Simon van der Borgh, Sophie Janson, Stephen Frears, Stuart Hazledean, Sue Kent, Susan Rogers, Tally Garner, Tanya Seghatchian, Tara Halloran, Terence Davies, Teresa De Pelegri, Tony Grisoni, Tony Jordan, Valentin Tabau, Veena Verdi and William Nicholson whose valuable contributions and expertise have made this festival possible and without them where would we be?

We would also like to thank all our sponsors and supporters Cheltenham Borough Council, Arturi Films, South West Screen The Learning Skills Council, The UK Film Council, ITV, Skillset, UIP, Ealing Studios, Ingenious, Sky, BBC Films, The GMG, BAFTA, 4Talent, The Face Group, The Spanish Embassy, Scottish Screen, The Glasgow Film Office, University of Gloucestershire, International Business Wales, Skillset Screen Academy Wales, Film London, The David Lean Foundation, Scriptwriter Magazine, Manor by the Lake, Wiggin LLP, i2in, Films@59, Blue Sheep, Powerline, Shooting People, Fusion, Cineworld, Raindance, TPR Media, The New Producers Alliance, Taps, Screen South, The Writing Club, Insiders Madrid and Mobenn Marquees who’s continued contributions and support is important to this growing festival.

While we are at it we would like to thank our tireless staff and volunteers; Kirsten Dryburgh, Oliver Purches, Ricky Kane, Rachel Harvey, Cathie Beloe, Joanna Wivell, Isobel Turner Cross, Chris Jackson, Isabel Kongsgaard, Adam Venneer, Kreena Nagar, Thomas Morgans, James Mann, Sam Bick, Joe Ursall, Claire Carpenter, Charlotte Whatley, Stephen Best, Sabrina Dridje, Sara Baroni, Jenny Piley, Francesca Woods, VerBon Cheung, Carolyn O’Donnell, Sam Ross, Martin Adams, Sue Davis, Elspeth Rushbrook, Alan Bardos and James Rowbotham for their tireless dedication for, what could easily be, the four longest days in their lives. We do have their contact details and we will be asking them for their help again next year.

There are many, many other people we would like to thank, so thank you very much, many, many other people.

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