IRISH FILM LONDON (IFL), the London-based organisation championing Irish Film, TV and animation across the UK, have announced a new talent development initiative for the capital - which sees them continue their relationship with globally respected industry development agency Stowe Story Labs.
Now in its 10th year, Stowe Story Labs is a US-based non-profit organisation dedicated to helping top emerging screenwriters and filmmakers develop projects and skills to get work made and seen.
The new talent development initiative, titled the Beginnings Narrative Lab, will take place in London next month during the 11th Irish Film Festival London.
Stowe and IFL already partner on an annual basis through the Irish Film London Fellowship, which supports a filmmaker who identifies as Irish to attend Stowe’s annual 4-day Narrative Lab in the picturesque area of Stowe in Vermont.
Previous IFL Fellows include Sean McConville of London based Frenzy Films and screenwriter Ewen Glass.
This new event, titled Beginnings, is designed for emerging screenwriters and filmmakers working on a first or second narrative feature or television project.
During this programme, participants will benefit from table-top discussions with top industry mentors, focused sessions on elements of narrative storytelling and screenwriting, structured peer-to-peer script note sessions, and in-conversation interviews and panels with top established industry practitioners.
“Participants should leave the lab with heightened skills and understanding of the film and television sectors; insights on their stories; ideas to help advance the work; and new energy, confidence, and ability to pitch the work within the industry,” the organisers explain.
Gerry Maguire, Head of Irish Film London said of the initiative: "We’ve worked hard to position IFL as more of an industry-facing organisation over the last 18 months, and the launch of this programme with the Stowe team represents a major goal for this strategy.
“We hope the London lab can offer high level support to participants who will go on to become the next major talents in our industry.”
Stowe Story Labs Founder and Director David Rocchio added: “We love our partnership with Irish Film London and are excited to start this mini-lab.
“Finding a route into story — let alone into the film and television industry — can be daunting. The Beginnings lab will help 'undaunt' it. We can't wait to start.”
Participants will be selected through a competitive application process, which opened on September 20 and will close on October 15.
Mentors committed to the lab to date include Stowe Story Labs founder David Rocchio and co-founder David Pope, IFL Chair Carey Fitzgerald, screenwriter Michael Holden, and producer Barrington Robinson.
The programme, which is open to emerging talents in the UK and Ireland, will run during Irish Film Festival London, which takes place this year from November 16 to 20.
The full festival programme is due to be announced later this month.
The lab will be held at the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith from November 21 to 23 and the fee to attend is £350. Travel and meals are not included; but refreshments are provided.
Admissions will be made on a rolling basis, and the application season will close when the program is full or on October 15, whichever comes first.
Applicants will need to demonstrate talent, a fantastic story idea, and a commitment to learning skills necessary to get work made and seen in this complex and collaborative industry.
Interested screenwriters and filmmakers based in the UK and Ireland can apply here.
