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a collage of 15 portrait photos of women and non-binary screenwriters

The Writers Lab UK & Europe 2023 announces 15 participants

The Writers Lab UK & Europe announces its selection of 15 participants and its honourable mentions for the Lab that supports women and non-binary writers over 40.

Having launched in 2015 to elevate the careers of women screenwriters over 40, for the first time in 2023 the The Writer’s Lab will include writers from Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Greece, Italy, Germany and Austria. Once again it will provide a unique opportunity to discover and nurture exciting new talent, matching selected writers with leading film and TV industry advisors and continue to develop their projects over 6 months. The final selection represents a thoughtfully curated and intersectional range of voices to ensure diverse narratives by writers who will go on to shape the future of the film and TV industry. 

The Writers Lab UK & Europe 2023 is produced by Untamed Stories’ Julia Berg and TWL co-founders Elizabeth Kaiden and Nitza Wilon. The expansion of the lab also cements new partners that include Gaumont, Eleven, and Maia Pictures, with more partners to be announced soon.

Jessica Connell from Gaumont London said, "Gaumont are delighted to be supporting the writers lab. The team have found an array of brilliant talent from across the UK & Europe, all of whom bring a wealth of knowledge and stories from different backgrounds. In a time of so much uncertainty in the industry it's more important than ever to be developing new writing talent."

CEO of Eleven, Jamie Campbell partners for the first time, saying, “We are delighted to be supporting The Writers Lab. The underrepresentation of women writers over the age of 40 needs to change. We are proud to play our small part in encouraging more women to write for film and TV."

Founder of Maia Pictures, Rachel Springett says, “Maia Pictures is thrilled to be part of The Writers Lab with so many talented and inspirational women. We can’t wait to work with these incredible female writers to help steer and nurture their projects. It’s more important than ever to support women in this industry with their careers and undiscovered, exceptional talent. The Writers Lab is exactly what the TV industry needs."

With offices in Paris, Los Angeles, London, Berlin, Köln, and Rome, Gaumont’s TV and Film library include titles such as Untouchable, Narcos, Barbarians, The Fifth Element, Stillwater, Obsession, and For Her Sins. Eleven credits include Red Rose and . Maia Pictures is a comedy and drama production company founded by multi BAFTA award winning commissioner, television and film producer Rachel Springett. Maia Pictures are the tastemakers, we are ahead of the curve discovering the international stars of tomorrow, with an astonishing track record. 

Previously announced partners include Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Screen Scotland, Northern Ireland Screen, Ffilm Cymru Wales, The Austrian Film Institute, ORF, FISAplus – Film Industry Support Austria and Drehbuchforum Wien (Screenwriters Forum Vienna) in association with German Films and Reclaim The Frame. 

The 15 participants of The Writers Lab UK & EUROPE 2023 are: 

  • BLACK FRIDAY, Kerstin Schütze (Feature Comedy/Drama, Austria)
  • CARNAGE, Christine Entwisle (½-Hour Comedy, England)
  • THE COMEBACK KID, Jo Spencely (½-Hour Drama, Scotland)
  • DAYFER, Christina Mitropoulou (½-Hour Thriller/Sci-fi, Greece)
  • DOING GOOD, Katja Meier (½-Hour Drama, Italy)
  • FOROUGH, Tina Gharavi (Feature Historical, England)
  • FROM OUT OF NOWHERE, Morna Pearson (½-Hour Comedy, Scotland)
  • HOME TRUTHS, Maura Campbell (½-Hour Drama, Northern Ireland)
  • HOUSE WINNINGS, Lemba de Miranda (1-Hour Drama, Germany)
  • A MEANS TO AN END, Niamh Heery (Feature Drama, Republic of Ireland)
  • MOGI/SUFFOCATE, Mared Swain (Feature Drama, Wales)
  • THE OaPERATIVE, Aisling Corristine (½-Hour Comedy, Republic of Ireland)
  • PRISONERS OF LOVE, Jane McGee (½-Hour Comedy/Drama, England)
  • RIA’S ROOM, Mariem Omari (1-Hour Drama, Scotland)
  • WITHOUT YOU, Sharmila Chauhan (Feature Drama, England)

The 12 Honourable Mentions of The Writers Lab UK & EUROPE 2023 are: 

  • MADS, Jan Pearson (1-Hour Drama, England)
  • BRONTE COUNTRY, Fiona Kellett (1-Hour Drama, England)
  • INVISIBLE, Kaite O'Reilly (1-Hour Drama, Wales)
  • TINY HOME, Miriam Devitt (Feature Comedy, Republic of Ireland)
  • DUST, Ann Hawker (1-Hour Thriller, England)
  • QUIET STORM, Corine Dhondee (Feature Drama, England)
  • GENESYS, Francesca Tatini (1-Hour Sci-fi, Italy)
  • GREENSHOOTS AND PARASITES, Rachel McAdam (1-Hour Thriller, Wales)
  • BODY AND SOUL, Malika Jmel (½-Hour Action, England)
  • THE WALL, Kerry-Ann Calleja McGregor (Feature Drama, England)
  • LETTERS TO MRS. SEBBANE, Sarit Zadok (Feature Historical, France)
  • YOUNG AGATHA, Maria Hinterkoerner (½-Hour Adventure, Austria)