The programme is open to anyone writing in a genre other than screenwriting i.e. playwrights, dramaturgs, lyricists, poets, novelists who are working in or living in West Yorkshire.
This is not an entry level programme and you must be able to demonstrate professional writing experience to be considered for a place. By professional writing experience we mean a piece of writing that has been published, publicly performed, funded, or commissioned. You do not need to be a full time professional writer to participate, but you must be able to demonstrate professional writing experience outside of screenwriting. This is to ensure a consistent level of programme to all participants.
Participants must be available for the online sessions and in-person dates as this is as a prerequisite to accepting a place on the programme.
In-person sessions will be held within the Yorkshire region where reasonable travel costs will be covered.
The programme will involve six online tutorials and keynote sessions from writers, producers, commissioners, agents and industry gatekeepers from across the screen industries. You will receive insights and guidance about how to pivot into screenwriting, what skills are needed, and one to one contact time to help develop an action plan and take the next steps in your career.
You will also be invited to an intimate working lunch with industry guests to help build your network of contacts. The cohort will also be able to attend a wider networking event at the end of the programme.
THE 2024/2025 COHORT.
We are pleased to share the 10 selected writers to attend this programme for 2024/2025:
Pamela Crowe is based in Leeds and is the author of The Bell Tower (The Emma Press, 2022). Her work has been published by The Poetry Society, Winchester Poetry Festival, The Poetry Archive, exhibited at Leeds Art Gallery, shortlisted for the Bridport Poetry Prize, and longlisted for the National Poetry Competition.
Rachael Halliwell is a writer, theatre maker and mentor. Recent Writing commissions include Get Wed, 122 Love Stories and Our Gate (Harrogate Theatre) Rachael’s critically acclaimed work has been supported by audiences across the UK including: Carriageworks, Lowry Theatre, Georgian Theatre Royal – Richmond
Rachael is Co-Creative Director of All Points North Productions and is on a creative mission to amplify Northern Voices and champion female-led narratives
Linda Green is the bestselling author of 12 novels set in West Yorkshire, her most recent being In Little Stars, a modern-day reimagining of Romeo & Juliet set against a backdrop of a Brexit divided Leeds. She’s also a journalist, having written for The Guardian and The Big Issue in the North during a fifteen-year career on national and regional newspapers and magazines.
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Tabitha Bast, based in Bradford, is a sex and relationship therapist with a passion for nature and revolutionary struggles. An accomplished short story writer, she is currently working on a collection of climate change narratives set in 2030. Her recent publications include Dear John and The Creation of Adam. Tabitha also writes a blog on positive masculinity.
Tahir Shah, a South-Asian playwright and arts professional, Tahir is dedicated to highlighting underrepresented voices. With a distinctive blend of comedy and drama, his work delves into family, mental health, and cultural identity. Tahir’s impressive portfolio includes acting and directing for major platforms like Netflix, BBC, and Channel 4. He is currently developing a two-person play for the Edinburgh Fringe and a short film exploring immigration narratives.
Zara Sehar is a Muslim British-Pakistani Poet, who was born and raised in Halifax. Her work often delves into the intricacies of the British-Asian diaspora. She was shortlisted for the Yorkshire Asian Young Achievers award in the Arts and Creative Industries category (YAYA Awards 2023), placed third in the Roundhouse Slam (2024), where she won the audience vote. Zara has shared her work on BBC Woman’s Hour, anthologies and online.
Amber Hafren is an alumnus of the Royal Court Writers Programme and received a staged reading of her first play. She has developed work with Paines Plough, INK Festival and Freedom Studios. A finalist for the Channel 4 & New Writing North Awards 2023 and was one of eight writers selected for their talent development group. She is also a member of New Writing North’s Bradford Writers hub.
Richard D. Rhodes is a former primary headteacher and current Vice Chair of Studio at Bingley Little Theatre where he produces ITCH there, a playwright development programme. A member of Furnace at Leeds Playhouse, his material has been produced by Freedom Studios and Leeds Pub Theatre as well as Bingley Little Theatre. He is a mentored playwright at Paines Plough and by The Unit as a screenwriter.
Jan Rupe trained at LAMDA and worked in TV and theatre before moving into playwrighting. She is currently being mentored by Paines Plough as part of their ‘Tour the Writer ‘programme in collaboration with Bradford 2025. She is a member of the Bradford Script Hub, and her most recent short film script, ‘Only Words’ was runner up in the Emerging Spirit script competition run by The Spirit of Independence Film Festival. She is the co-director of Bradford International Film Festival.
