I created MEET THE EXPERTS in 1999 at the Edinburgh Film Festival where I ran it for 10 years. Thereafter after I moved it to the London Film Festival and now it has its natural home at the London Screenwriters Festival.
The idea is simple; a filmmaker comes to see the panel about their project. We will then provide them with confidential advice and information on how to move that project on to the next stage.
Over the years I have had projects at idea stage right up to completed films looking for sales & distribution and every variation in-between.
As a result of these panel, event filmmakers have found everything from development and production finance, talent agents, key personnel to work on the film, commissions, distribution, and sales.
This years session takes place on Friday, September 15th.
On the panel will be –
Ruth Kenley-Letts.
Ruth won and Oscar producing Peter Capaldi’s directorial debut FRANZ KAFKA’S IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE.
She currently runs JK Rowling’s company and is looking for new projects, especially for television.
Michael Ryan
Michael along with his partner in GFM Films Guy Collins have between them financed, sold and produced over 200 films.
He is on the lookout for new film projects.
He is on the lookout for new film projects.
Tim Highsted
Tim is the Senior Editor, Acquired Feature Films at Channel 4 working across the broadcaster’s portfolio of channels as film buyer and scheduler.
Richard Kurti
As an unknown writer, Richard wrote the best spec script I have ever read. Harvey Weinstein bought it for a great deal of money which resulted in Richard and his writing partner being paid well writing screenplays for most of the Hollywood majors.
After 10-12 years of earning a very good living as highly paid screenwriters with not one film produced, they moved into TV most notable adapting Terry Pratchett’s GOING POSTAL for SKY.
Every screenwriter in the UK should follow what Richard did. The script they wrote in the 1990's NEWTON'S LAW went against the perceived wisdom at the time and it paid off for them as not only did Miramax want it so did two other companies which resulted in a bidding war.
Every screenwriter in the UK should follow what Richard did. The script they wrote in the 1990's NEWTON'S LAW went against the perceived wisdom at the time and it paid off for them as not only did Miramax want it so did two other companies which resulted in a bidding war.
I make up the panel. You can find out more on IMDb.
If are attending this year's Festival then please consider submitting your project. Details are on the London Screenwriters Festival website.
See you there?
