If you have never been to LondonSWF and are wondering should you come, here is some feedback from delegates who had come for the first time this year.
‘The sessions were great and super-informative. I’ve read before on the website about how people made real breakthroughs with their work and just how passionate they were about the festival, and to be honest I thought it sounded pretty cheesy and over the top. But it’s all true! I made those breakthroughs and feel so confident about my writing right now it’s incredible!’
Owen Jenkins, Screenwriter
- ‘It was my first time this year and I will definitely be returning next year. I was lucky enough to get on one of the Labs and it was so insightful and helpful towards improving my existing project. It’s so good to meet your peers too’
Amy Culwick, Screenwriter
- ‘As a new screenwriter, with only a partially developed screenplay, I wasn’t sure whether it would be worth my while coming. I was soooo wrong. My main reason for attending was for the Pitchfest, but the first day of sessions was worth the ticket price alone (and I had mmmm’d and aaah’d about whether to pay that much). The Pitchfest was a fantastic experience and I got some invaluable feedback on my screenplay concept. I was nervous about attending, and felt like a real novice, but it was great to meet other writers and discuss our projects, and I picked up some great tips from the sessions. I’m so glad I decided to come along, it was more than worth the entry fee, I had a brilliant time and will definitely come back next year. I would recommend this festival without question to any emerging screenwriters. Great job, Chris and the team – you should be very proud of what you’ve done’
Richard Brown, Screenwriter - ‘The back catalogue of videos alone is worth the ticket money. The kick up the arse in terms of inspiration and the new network I am a part of is invaluable. The additional sessions such as the table read were priceless. Just stop reading and invest in your skillset right now’
David Sobell, Screenwriter
‘The sessions were great and super-informative. I’ve read before on the website about how people made real breakthroughs with their work and just how passionate they were about the festival, and to be honest I thought it sounded pretty cheesy and over the top. But it’s all true! I made those breakthroughs and feel so confident about my writing right now it’s incredible!’
‘It was my first time this year and I will definitely be returning next year. I was lucky enough to get on one of the Labs and it was so insightful and helpful towards improving my existing project. It’s so good to meet your peers too’
‘As a new screenwriter, with only a partially developed screenplay, I wasn’t sure whether it would be worth my while coming. I was soooo wrong. My main reason for attending was for the Pitchfest, but the first day of sessions was worth the ticket price alone (and I had mmmm’d and aaah’d about whether to pay that much). The Pitchfest was a fantastic experience and I got some invaluable feedback on my screenplay concept. I was nervous about attending, and felt like a real novice, but it was great to meet other writers and discuss our projects, and I picked up some great tips from the sessions. I’m so glad I decided to come along, it was more than worth the entry fee, I had a brilliant time and will definitely come back next year. I would recommend this festival without question to any emerging screenwriters. Great job, Chris and the team – you should be very proud of what you’ve done’
‘The back catalogue of videos alone is worth the ticket money. The kick up the arse in terms of inspiration and the new network I am a part of is invaluable. The additional sessions such as the table read were priceless. Just stop reading and invest in your skillset right now’
- ‘The great thing about LSF is that you can tailor it to your needs. As a newbie I was able to just observe, enjoy and learn, whereas more experienced LSFers focused more on pitching and specific projects. The personalised phone call before the event helped me get more of an idea of how to approach the festival and stopped it from being overwhelming’
Sian Rowland, Screenwriter - ‘There were many reasons why I shouldn’t have gone like money, time, effort, etc. But in hindsight, there’s only one reason why I’m glad that I go: It is the single best thing that I’ve ever done for both my craft and my career’
Josh Shevill, Screenwriter - ‘Absolute value for money. My advice would be to new attendees: take a look at the schedule and all the speakers in advance and do a bit of research. Plan what you’re going to attend in advance and go for it’
Sarah Turner, Screenwriter
‘The great thing about LSF is that you can tailor it to your needs. As a newbie I was able to just observe, enjoy and learn, whereas more experienced LSFers focused more on pitching and specific projects. The personalised phone call before the event helped me get more of an idea of how to approach the festival and stopped it from being overwhelming’
‘There were many reasons why I shouldn’t have gone like money, time, effort, etc. But in hindsight, there’s only one reason why I’m glad that I go: It is the single best thing that I’ve ever done for both my craft and my career’
‘Absolute value for money. My advice would be to new attendees: take a look at the schedule and all the speakers in advance and do a bit of research. Plan what you’re going to attend in advance and go for it’
- ‘It was my first LondonSWF but it won’t be my last. Friendly, informative and fun. I learned much more than I thought I would and I’m getting stuck into re-drafting my screenplay. See you next year!’
Louise Walters, Screenwriter - ‘A great experience, didn’t know what to expect as a first timer but found the three days fascinating and inspiring. Throw yourself into it!’
John Liddle, Screenwriter - ‘I was amazed by the loveliness of the team Chris Jones put together. Really second to none. And I spend my time working with royalty, the old fashioned kind and Hollywood royalty, British aristocrats and overseas billionaires so from me this praise is hard won and means alot. The attention to detail and personal touch from all members of the team was outstanding’
Karelia Scott-Daniels, Screenwriter - ‘I loved it. It was my first time and I will definitely be coming back next year. It’s so good to be creatively fed, be inspired and connect with other creatives. Being a writer can be isolating and this helped bring me back to life. Thank you for the excellent experience’
Andrya, Screenwriter
‘It was my first LondonSWF but it won’t be my last. Friendly, informative and fun. I learned much more than I thought I would and I’m getting stuck into re-drafting my screenplay. See you next year!’
‘A great experience, didn’t know what to expect as a first timer but found the three days fascinating and inspiring. Throw yourself into it!’
‘I loved it. It was my first time and I will definitely be coming back next year. It’s so good to be creatively fed, be inspired and connect with other creatives. Being a writer can be isolating and this helped bring me back to life. Thank you for the excellent experience’
- ‘This was my first LSF, and it was so jam-packed with informative and inspirational events that I couldn’t sleep after it was all over!’
JK Murphy, Screenwriter - ‘This was my first festival and it’s had a huge impact on both my confidence in what I’m doing, and my ambition for what I can achieve in the future. I met a huge number of people who were not only great writers, but great company and I’m looking forward to staying in touch with them’
Billy Steel, Screenwriter - ‘This was my first LSF so I arrived not knowing and slightly fearing the unexpected. But from the welcome at the door, to meeting my peers, talking with the experts and networking it was a brilliant three days. Can’t wait for next year’
Barry Lewis, Screenwriter
‘This was my first festival and it’s had a huge impact on both my confidence in what I’m doing, and my ambition for what I can achieve in the future. I met a huge number of people who were not only great writers, but great company and I’m looking forward to staying in touch with them’
‘This was my first LSF so I arrived not knowing and slightly fearing the unexpected. But from the welcome at the door, to meeting my peers, talking with the experts and networking it was a brilliant three days. Can’t wait for next year’I hope to see you at the next LondonSWF!
Filmmaker, Author and Festival founder. Currently directing splinter unit on Mission: Impossible 8 and Exec Producing Apple Original show title TBC.
