20/09/2022

Irish Film London (IFL), the London-based organisation championing Irish Film, TV and animation across the UK, are today announcing a new talent development initiative for London, which sees them continue their relationship with globally respected industry development agency Stowe Story Labs. Now in its 10th year, Stowe Story Labs is a US-based non-profit dedicated to helping top emerging screenwriters and filmmakers develop projects and skills to get work made and seen. 

Irish Film London (IFL) and Stowe Story Labs today announced a new talent development initiative—the Beginnings Narrative Lab—to take place in London this November as part of the 11th edition of Irish Film Festival London. 

Stowe and IFL already partner on an annual basis through the Irish Film London Fellowship, which supports the attendance of a filmmaker who identifies as Irish to attend Stowe’s annual 4-day Narrative Lab in picturesque Stowe, Vermont. Previous IFL Fellows include Sean McConville of London-based Frenzy Films (2009’s Deadline with Brittany Murphy and Thora Birch, and 2021 Netflix released title The Quiet Hour, with Dakota Blue Richards) and Ewen Glass (screenwriter on 2019’s Little Kingdom and previous Hollyoaks writer).

This new event, titled “Beginnings”, is designed for emerging screenwriters and filmmakers working on a first or second narrative feature or television project. During this program, participants will benefit from table-top discussions with top industry mentors, focused sessions on elements of narrative storytelling and screenwriting, structured peer-to-peer script note sessions, and in-conversation interviews and panels with top established industry practitioners. Participants should leave the lab with heightened skills and understanding of the film and television sectors; insights on their stories; ideas to help advance the work; and new energy, confidence, and ability to pitch the work within the industry.

Gerry Maguire, Head of Irish Film London commented, “we’ve worked hard to position IFL as more of an industry-facing organisation over the last 18 months, and the launch of this program with the Stowe team represents a major goal for this strategy. We hope the London lab can offer high level support to participants who will go on to become the next major talents in our industry.”

Stowe Story Labs Founder and Director David Rocchio added, “We love our partnership with Irish Film London and are excited to start this mini-lab. Finding a route into story—let alone into the film and television industry—can be daunting. The Beginnings lab will help 'undaunt' it. We can't wait to start.”

Participants will be selected through a competitive application process, which opens today. Interested screenwriters and filmmakers can access the application here. For the lab, top applicants will need to demonstrate talent, a fantastic story idea, and a commitment to learning skills necessary to get work made and seen in this complex and collaborative industry. At the labs, mentors do not offer script notes on each project but instead focus on story structure, theme, character, genre, and how to talk about the project within the industry. 

Mentors committed to the lab to date include Stowe Story Labs founder David Rocchio and co-founder David Pope, IFL Chair Carey Fitzgerald, screenwriter Michael Holden, and producer Barrington Robinson. 

This program is open to emerging talents in the UK and Ireland. Stowe and IFL are committed to diversity and inclusion in the film and television industry and as well seek emerging screenwriters with roots in Ireland. 

The program will run during Irish Film Festival London, which takes place this year from Wednesday 16th to Sunday 20th November and will include premieres and previews of more than a dozen new Irish feature films and documentaries, alongside short films, parties and special events. The full festival programme is due to be announced in mid-October. Running from Monday 21st until Wednesday 23rd November, this new, high-level talent development initiative compliments the festival’s own industry programme, aimed at supporting early career industry practitioners.

The lab will run for two-and-a-half days and take place from November 21 - 23. The fee to attend is £350 and will be held at the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith. Travel and meals are not included; refreshments are provided. The first two day’s programs will end with a small reception for mentors and participants to allow for informal discussions. Admissions will be made on a rolling basis, and the application season will close when the program is full or on October 15, whichever comes first. 

Mentor bios & media assets available here: https://bit.ly/3QJtTSo 

Programme Application: available here

Media contact info:

For Irish Film London: Madeleine Casey | info@irishfilmlondon.com

For Stowe Story Labs: Tamaryn Tobian | info@stowestorylabs.org

About Irish Film London

Now in its 11th year, Irish Film London runs a year-round programme of screenings, industry and community workshops including the St Patricks Film Festival with the Mayor of London and the film arm of the Embassy of Ireland’s St. Brigid’s Day Festival in February, in addition to Irish Film Festival London each November, home of the Irish Film London Awards. They have their own online portal, Irish Film From Home, as well as the Irish Film London podcast, offering fortnightly insights into Irish film culture and beyond. 

IFL’s events aim to present the latest and greatest Irish films to UK audiences. Their patrons include Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Fiona Shaw, Lenny Abrahamson, Moe Dunford and Ros Hubbard. 

Through Premiere screenings, Director Q&A sessions, related workshops, exhibitions and performances, the organisation aims to bring together industry professionals, film fans and fans of Irish Arts & Culture alike. Focusing on Irish productions, scripts and casts, they strive to provide a significant platform for Irish film in London, and to ensure that the best of Irish creative talent is continually promoted across the UK.

The Irish Film Festival London is made possible with the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade of Ireland, Screen Ireland, Culture Ireland, IFI International, the Irish Youth Foundation and Film London. Partnership opportunities are available, and interested parties are welcomed to get in touch for more information. Please contact partnerships@irishfilmlondon.com  with partnership requests.

About the Irish Film London Awards

Each November, Irish Film London hosts an awards ceremony in celebration of Irish Film. These awards highlight and reward the talents of a select number of Irish filmmakers, whose work has shown great distinction, originality and passion. 

Awards categories include: Best Feature Film, Best Documentary, Best Short Film, The Súil Eile Award, and the Ros Hubbard Award for Acting.

About Stowe Story Labs

Now in its tenth year, Stowe Story Labs is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit based in Stowe, Vermont, which offers labs, retreats, writing programs, and ongoing mentoring programs to top emerging screenwriters, filmmakers, and creative producers from around the world. 

Stowe's Narrative Labs are deeply immersive programs designed to help participants think through their work and how best to advance it. 

Stowe’s mission is to help top emerging screenwriters and filmmakers get work made and seen, and through that, to bend the world a bit through story. To discuss opportunities to partner with Stowe Story Labs, please reach out to info@stowestorylabs.org. 

Learn more about Stowe and its varied programs at www.stowestorylabs.org