BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum

09 March 10

Over the last 10 years the BAFTA-supported initiative has connected scores of aspiring British writers and filmmakers with BAFTA award winning talent including Mike Newell, John Madden and David Parfitt.

Together with our Media Sponsors Variety, we aim to make these events bigger and better than ever and we invite writers to submit their scripts for consideration for one or both events.

Dave Spikey

Multi award-winning Dave Spikey is one of the most sought-after comedy talents in the UK. With numerous TV appearances to his name as a stand-up comedian, presenter, actor, and an acclaimed comedy writer behind-the-scenes, there isn't much he hasn't achieved in his career spanning over two decades.

Some of his biggest achievements to date include; co-writing and co-starring in Channel 4's hit series Phoenix Nights, writing and co-starring in ITV's primetime comedy drama Dead Man Weds, selling out two nationwide tours - one of which picked up the 'Gold Retail Performance' Award for selling in excess of 75,000 dvd copies, winning two British Comedy Awards, a BAFTA nomination, A Royal Television Society Award. His place is cemented as one of Britain's most cherished comedy talents.

Elizabeth Karlsen

BAFTA/Mat RicardoElizabeth Karlsen, BAFTA-nominated producer of Little Voice, The Crying Game, How to Lose Friend’s and Alienate People, and recent feature Perrier’s Bounty will chair the 10th Anniversary BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum at BAFTA Headquarters on 5 May.

Previous Events

The last BAFTA ROCLIFFE NEW WRITING FORUM took place at BAFTA headquarters in London on 30 November 2009 and was co-chaired by Gillies Mackinnon and Farah Abushwesha.

• Read Farah Abushwesha's blog from the latest networking forum.
• Hear from the writer's perspective: Read Ben Blaine's blog on his experiences at BAFTA.

About the Forum

The BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing forum is both a platform for new writing, and a networking event. Created in 2000, the original format selects three 7-8 minute script extracts - feature film, short film, television drama, sitcom, theatre, radio or sketches.

The pieces are cast by a casting director, and rehearsed by professional actors and directors on the evening. A narrator sets the piece in context and the extracts are then performed to an industry audience of producers, development executives, directors, actors and literary agents.

Following each performance, the writers receive feedback from the industry co-chair and answer questions from the audience. The evening is rounded off with a Q&A with the event host and a relaxed networking session.

BAFTA/Mat RicardoThe benefits to a writer, new or seasoned, are multiple: hearing their work read by professional actors; a development focused discussion generated by the readings; exposure to and advice from experienced industry members; feedback from an audience and an invaluable method to test out new concepts and material. Given the often isolating nature of the industry, the New Writing Forum creates the ideal environment for networking.

Recent industry guests and Patrons now include Mike Newell, John Madden, Richard Eyre, David Parfitt, Alan Plater, Cameron McCracken, David Yates, Finola Dwyer, Michael Kuhn, Nik Powell, Duncan Kenworthy, Rebecca O'Brien, Simon Relph & Shirley Rubinstein. Media Patrons are Variety.

Download the last event handout (1.0 MB)

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