Thousand Films & Sid Gentle Launch Women Writers Competition

Thousand Films, supported by Sid Gentle Films, has launched a TV script initiative for female writers, aiming to bridge the gap in the industry by connecting talent with established producers.

The competition will offer women writers over the age of 16 in the U.K. and Ireland, who are currently unrepresented by an agency, the chance to submit a pilot script in either drama or comedy. The initiative is also supported by the National Film and Television School and the Edinburgh TV Festival.

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. 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. After the Thousand Films training program, Sid Gentle will work with a selection of the writers on their original ideas or on other projects on the company’s development slate.

Sally Woodward Gentle, Executive Producer and Founder of Sid Gentle Films, said: “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. We hope this competition helps to unearth the incredible talent that we know is out there.”

Charles Dawson, Founder of Thousand Films said: “Thousand Films wants to find new writers and to prepare them for a professional life working with established producers, so the prospect of Sid Gentle taking new writers from the competition into real-life development is incredibly exciting.”