As FrightFest returns to unleash new nightmares into the darkened corridors of London’s West End cinemas August, the mad doctors are sharpening their creative scalpels to encourage new writers in the horror genre to participate in its New Blood initiative.
Now in its sixth year, New Blood reunites FrightFest with Giles Edwards of Queensbury Pictures in its mission to find emerging UK-based writers dedicated to the genre and nurture their projects from script to screen. Anyone who reaches the final selection is expected to send a rough draft of the first ten pages of their script since Queensbury Pictures seeks to acquiring scripts ready for production rather than just an idea.
The successful eight shortlisted applicants will workshop their ideas in a group setting under the guidance of top industry professionals and genre experts. Joining Giles Edwards as this year’s mentors are actor, writer and director Andy Nyman (Ghost Stories), Jennifer Sheridan, director of Rose: A Love Story and Disney+ show Extraordinary and writer, producer, director, actor Toby Poser (The Deeper You Dig, Where The Devil Roams)
Applications are open from Thursday 20th July with potential participants asked to submit a 400 word proposal through the dedicated New Blood page on the FrightFest website and if selected, each writer is expected to submit the first ten pages of their script idea.
The deadline is Friday 4th August. All successful applicants will be notified by Monday 7th August 2023 and then will be requested to send over their sample script pages. All participants are expected to pay for their own travel to, and accommodation in, London.
The New Blood networking and workshop event will be held on the morning of Thursday 24th August 2023, the opening day of this year’s festival, in a Central London venue
To date the scheme has delivered two new projects: Broadcast Signal Intrusion, written by Phil Drinkwater and Tim Woodall and directed by Jacob Gentry (The Signal) was produced by Greg Newman, Nicola Goelzhaeuser & Giles Edwards at Queensbury Pictures ans premiered to enormous acclaim at FrightFest 2021, and The Change, written by Carina Rodney has been optioned by another acclaimed UK producer.
Giles Edwards of Queensbury Pictures says “Queensbury Pictures is proud to be back around the table with a formidable line-up of mentors for what will be the 6th New Blood session, rousing and inspiring a fresh crop of as-yet-undiscovered, earth-trembling genre talent”
Greg Day, co-director of FrightFest commented, “For FrightFest to be entering its 6th year in partnership with Giles and Queensbury Pictures is testament to how important and rewarding the New Blood initiative is. And long may it continue to be. Good luck to the New Blood class of 2023.”
FrightFest 2023 runs 24th to 28th August 2023 at the Cineworld, Leicester Square and The Prince Charles Cinema.
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