Calling all writers and filmmakers!
17th March 2022
If you are a writer or a filmmaker looking to learn from the very best female talent in the industry, then we have the perfect workshop for you.
As part of our ‘Taking the Stage and Screen’ festival from 30th March to 2nd April at MK Gallery, we have award-winning filmmaker, Jane Sanger, and Deputy General Secretary from The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain, Lesley Gannon, hosting workshops to give help and advice in specific areas of your craft.
Friday 1st April
How to Fund your Film with Jane Sanger
We are delighted to have Jane with us in our programme. Jane is an award-winning independent film maker who has vast experience in raising funds. It’s not easy as she will testify, but in this hour-long workshop she will share her wealth of knowledge and give advice to budding filmmakers.
Jane began making films at 50 years old and she taught herself. She made her first short film in 2018 entitled ‘Struggle’, which deals with the subject of depression in young people.
Jane has gone on to write and create thrillers, films on social issues and period dramas, as well as TV work, documentaries, and drama. She has won 45 awards.
This will be an insightful conversation and discussion around filmmaking and funding with one of the best female filmmakers. You don’t want to miss this.
Join Jane on Friday 1st April from 3pm to 4pm in the Sky Room at MK Gallery. Book your tickets.
African Film afternoon
Friday is also our film showcase. As part of your film workshops ticket you can join us for a conversation with local filmmaker, Nana Oguntola, and viewing of ‘Veronica’s Wish’, one of two films curated by Nana that showcases work by African female filmmakers.
Veronica’s Wish
5pm
Director: Rehema Nanfuka
Cast: Nisha Kalema, Mushema Housen, Malaika
Michael and Veronica are engaged to marry but their journey takes a drastic turn when Veronica gets hit by a mysterious illness days away from her wedding. Veronica must choose between love and saving lives. Book your tickets.
Coat of Alms
7pm
Director: Blessing Effiom Egbe
Cast: Shawn Faqua, Osereme Inegbenebor, Joshua Johnson
A beauty queen on a quest to eradicate street urchins discovers her lover is part of the network that collects vulnerable children for the purpose of trafficking and road begging. Book your tickets.
Saturday 2nd April
Know your Rights: Contracts, Commissions and Competitions with Lesley Gannon
We are very excited to have Lesley host this highly valuable workshop for our fellow writers.
Lesley is The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain’s (WGGB) Deputy General Secretary. She will be discussing what writers need to be aware of when getting their work staged and how the Writers’ Guild can help.
The WGGB is a trade union that represents professional, emerging and aspiring writers from the world of TV, film, theatre, radio, books, comedy, poetry, animation and videogames. It offers its members support and advice on terms, agreements and more.
Lesley plays a key role within Writers’ Guild. She is responsible for the negotiation and implementation of WGGB national agreements in TV, theatre, radio and film. She leads on WGGB research and policy and oversees other core areas of the union’s work. She represents WGGB in the UK and abroad and deputises for the General Secretary.
There is no one better to learn from, so if you are a writer, be sure to be part of this session.
Join Lesley on Saturday 2nd April from 12pm to 1pm in the Event Space at MK Gallery. Book your tickets.
Newly commissioned plays – Hidden Stories
As part of your WGGB workshop ticket, you will be able to join us for Hidden Stories Part 2 at 2pm and the Q&A that follows.
See two powerful stories depicting how women have been treated in the English legal system in these newly commissioned plays by local writers.
Now You See Me by Carly Halse tells the hidden story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in England. The year was 1955. Ruth Ellis openly admitted to the murder of her lover David Blakely who she shot at the Magdala pub in London. What is little know though is that Blakely was violent and controlling. A few days before the murder he had brutally beaten Ruth and she suffered a miscarriage. At a time when she needed support her close make friend Desmond Cussen gave her a gun and showed her how to use it. He was never called to account. Her case led to changes in the law recognising the defence of diminished responsibility.
Darlint Peidi by Rosemary Hill tells the story of Edith Thompson was executed in 1923 alongside her young lover Frederick Bywaters. Edith Thompson apparently knew nothing about the plan to murder her husband, Percy. Bywaters always maintained he acted alone. But Thompson was older than him and seen as an immoral seducer. She was also a dreamer who wrote letters to her lover describing their perfect life together after her husband was gone. Was she executed for adultery rather than murder, a victim of the social climate of the time? If she had lived through the swinging sixties would society have judged her differently?
Fascinating and thought-provoking stories I’m sure you’ll agree. Click for details and to purchase tickets.
For further information about our ‘Taking the Stage and Screen’ four-day festival that celebrates women in the arts, please visit our website.
We hope you are able to join us.
Thank you to Arts Council England for supporting our project.
