WFTV Unveils Writers for the Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab

Women in Film and Television UK (WFTV) has revealed the 13 emerging writers taking part in the WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab, which began on September 30 and runs through October 5.

The 2024 lab is led by Lisa Holdsworth (Fat Friends, Call the Midwife, Waterloo Road) and Carol Harding (Black Ops, The Confessions of Frannie Langton, My Name is Leon), who are guiding the participants through hands-on workshops and one-on-one tutorials. BAFTA-nominated writer-director Sally El Hosaini (The Swimmers, My Brother the Devil) is a guest speaker.

The 13 writers chosen to take part in this year’s lab are Alison Rayner, Anna Cummins, Emily Isaacs, Jaimini Jethwa, Nikki Williams, Noemie Nakai, Olivia Ababio, Phoebe Yemi Ara, Rosalind De Aragues, Rosemary Evans, Ru Briant, Ruth D’Silva and Sophie Stemmons.

The WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab was established to honor the legacy of the late Kay Mellor OBE, a trailblazing writer, producer and director who was a fierce advocate for women in the industry. Her commitment to mentoring and nurturing new talent is at the heart of the initiative.

The lab, sponsored by Miss Scarlet Limited, gives the selected writers the opportunity to develop their scripts in a focused, supportive environment, with access to leading industry professionals. By the end, they will have advanced their projects to a pitch-ready stage and gained the tools and insight to support them in their next steps.

“WFTV is thrilled to be hosting the Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab once more,” said Katie Bailiff, CEO at WFTV UK. “We are delighted to give new writers the opportunity to work on their scripts and to be inspired by industry experts on this very special week, which promises to be a deeply enriching experience for all involved. Kay Mellor’s passion for storytelling and her dedication to supporting women in film and television lives on through this lab, and we’re excited to see what this year’s writers will achieve.”

“It is a privilege for Miss Scarlet Limited to be part of the WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab for a second year in a row,” commented Patty Lenahan Ishimoto of Miss Scarlet Limited. “WFTV’s championing of female writers continues to inspire us, and we are committed to supporting this new wave of storytellers as they hone their skills and prepare to make their mark on the industry.”

Yvonne Francas-Mellor, managing director at Rollem Production Co., added, “Having visited the writers’ lab last year and witnessed the determination, focus and talent of the thirteen women who participated in the residency, I’m thrilled that the opportunity was extended to a new cohort. Kay would have been over the moon to see how the writers’ lab supports and nurtures these talented writers. I can’t thank WFTV and Miss Scarlet Limited enough for continuing to encourage the fledgling writers in the same way Kay would have. This is the kind of legacy Kay would be proud of. Women supporting and encouraging women from all walks of life.”