Fresh Ink is a development program exclusively for emerging screenwriters from marginalised and/or underrepresented backgrounds, produced by Well Tempered Productions and BFI Vision awarded company, Last Conker.

What are we looking for?

Fresh Ink is looking for unproduced ideas for feature films at an early stage of development. We don’t want to be prescriptive at an early stage - so we are open to everything but are particularly interested in British stories that disrupt social inequities, that aren’t afraid of genre and have a genuine desire to appeal to en masse audiences. By British we mean stories that will pass the British film cultural test. 

Who are we looking for?

You will be a writer from a group underrepresented in the industry - this can be one or more of the following: experience of racial inequity, disability and neurodivergence, LGBTQI+, economically or educationally disadvantaged, first generation migrants or refugees, women and/or from faith communities. As this is a program for emerging writers - we want to hear from writers who have yet to gain their first broadcast credit in television or for a publicly distributed feature film, no matter what their age.

What will you get?

The projects will be assessed by an industry panel. The projects that will benefit the most from our program will be shortlisted and receive:

  • Bespoke one-on-one producer-led development sessions to transform their idea into an outline

  • Introductions to industry decision-makers 

  • Mentoring from a producer 

  • Support to prepare strong creative statements, pitch decks and applications.

Following the development program, one project will have their outline optioned and supported by a development package and offered a writer’s fee of £2000 to develop their idea into a full treatment.

Who is Well Tempered and Last Conker?

For more information about Well Tempered Productions visit: https://www.welltemperedproductions.com/

To apply complete this form.

As part of the application you will need to submit a one-page pitch on your idea plus a screenplay sample in PDF format. (Your sample needs to be between 80-120 pages.) Use this link for advice on screenplay sample formatting. We recommend reading up on film pitch documents (e.g. here) before submitting. 

Email us if you have any questions.

Deadline for submissions:  23:59 GMT on 12 September 2021

 

Timeline:

  • Applications open - 9th August 2021

  • Application close - 12th September 2021

  • Interviews - w/c 27th September 2021

  • Shortlist announcement - 4th October 2021

  • Development - 4th October 2021 - 11th January 2022

  • Project optioned - 31 January 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What do you mean by under represented or marginalised background?

    We mean a person that has one or more of the following backgrounds: person of colour, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTQI+, economically disadvantaged, first generation migrants or refugees, women and/or from the faith community. There is no upper limit on age.

  • We are in a co-writing partnership - can we still apply?

    Yes - as long as you are both from an underrepresented background.

  • I have a producer attached - can I still apply?

    No - no we are looking for unproduced ideas.

  • I am a student - can I apply?

    This Program is not for students.

  • I am under 18 years old - can I apply?

    No. You must be over 18 years old.

  • I am not from the UK - can I still apply?

    Writers must have a residence in the United Kingdom. Nationality is not important but applicants must be resident in the United Kingdom.

  • I have credits as a writer - can I apply?

    No. Writers must not have had a credit as ‘Writer’ or ‘Creator’ on a feature film or scripted TV programme which has been publicly distributed/broadcast.

  • Can I submit more than one idea?

    Applicants can submit a maximum of 2 ideas.

  • Can my idea be based on underlying material?

    Ideas based on existing intellectual property will be accepted if the applicant owns the underlying rights or the idea is in public domain. In the event of ideas based on true stories or historical events, we ask the applicant to confirm they have the necessary permissions. In these cases, if the applicant’s idea is invited to the development program, the applicant will need to evidence clearances, permissions and rights to the underlying material and so forth.