Thousand Films is looking to help bridge the television industry’s gender gap by connecting writers with established producers. According to a study from the Writers Guild of Great Britain, women writers account for less than 14 percent of all drama and comedy currently written for prime time TV. In an aim to boost those numbers, Thousand Films is launching a TV script initiative for women writers over the age of 16 in the UK and Ireland who are currently underrepresented by an agency. Submissions are now open.
Supported by Sid Gentle Films, The National Film & Television School, and Edinburgh TV Film Festival, The Thousand Films competition will offer the chance to submit a pilot script in either drama or comedy.
According to a press release, “Shortlisted scripts will be judged by a panel of industry experts and writers will be introduced to the industry at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2019. The prize package also includes delegate passes, accommodation, and travel to the Festival. Thousand Films will make offers to option shortlisted scripts and will support the writers with training, mentoring and tailored development plans to introduce them to the rigours of writing professionally, and to help progress their scripts and nurture their talent. After the Thousand Films training program Sid Gentle Films Ltd will work with a selection of the writers on their original ideas or on other projects on the Sid Gentle development slate.”
“The television industry is rightly setting a course to correct the under representation of women writers. Sid Gentle wants to take action in addressing this and our mission is to not only kick-start the careers of talented writers, but to add fresh voices to the industry at large,” said Sally Woodward Gentle, executive producer and founder of Sid Gentle Films Ltd, and an exec producer on “Killing Eve.” “We hope this competition helps to unearth the incredible talent that we know is out there.”
You can find more information and apply on Thousand Films’ website. The competition is accepting entries until April 30.
