Writers line up for Skye residency
More than 350 applications have been received for seven places on this year’s Young Films Foundation Skye screenwriting residency programme.
It provides the lucky participants with the chance to develop a screenplay for a feature film or TV drama or comedy series with support from established industry mentors.
They also receive masterclasses and tutorials from wellknown film and TV writers, directors and producers.
Each script will be commissioned and paid for by one of the following: BBC Drama, Sky, Channel 4 Drama,
Channel 4 Comedy, Film4, BBC Films and BBC/MG Alba.
The programme, which began last week, culminates in writers bringing developed scripts for a week-long residency in Skye where every aspect of their scripts will receive indepth analysis from mentors, experts and commissioners.
Time will also be given for the writers to work with established actors and directors on scenes from their draft scripts in the studio.
The successful 2021-22 screenwriters are: Aileen Ritchie and Manu Kurewa, writing partnership.
Mentor: John Collee, writer Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Hotel Mumbai (AACTA Nominee Best Screenplay 2019), Happy Feet)
Holly Tennant. Mentor: Joe Thomas, writer and actor – The Inbetweeners, Channel 4; Chickens, Channel 4; White Gold, BBC.
Keiron Nicholson. Mentor: Hilary Martin, producer From Darkness, BBC; In The Flesh, BBC – BAFTA Winner Best Mini-Series 2014; In The Dark, BBC.
Lana Pheutan. Mentor: Mairead Hamilton, writer and director – Bannan, BBC Alba.
Lorna King. Mentor: Stevie Lee, producer – Frank, The Reason I Jump, BIFA Winner Best Documentary 2021.
Nas Saraei. Mentor: Hania Elkington, writer and producer – The Innocents, Netflix.
Rachelle Atalla. Mentor: Olivia Hetreed, writer – Girl with a Pearl Earring, BAFTA Nominated Best Screenplay, Adapted 2004, Wuthering Heights, Spy Princess.
Programme founder Chris Young said: ‘We were astonished by the sheer volume of applications for this year’s programme and it has been a tough process narrowing it down.
‘It’s encouraging for us to see how much Scotland’s new talent appreciates the unique opportunity offered by this programme and it’s clear there is an important gap here in Scotland which we’re hoping to fill – namely to connect up the talent with the bigger industry out there and feed the ambition of these new voices.’
The programme will cumulate in a week-long immersive residency in June 2022 where participants, mentors, experts and commissioners will come together to discuss and develop their work with further masterclasses and networking on the Isle of Skye.