Screenwriters at film festivals

28 June 2012
Posted in Film

An open letter to screenwriters from Writers' Guild members Richard Curtis and David Seidler

As fellow screenwriters, we are writing on behalf of the InternationalAffiliation of Writers Guilds (IAWG) and the Federation of Screenwriters in Europe (FSE) about important research into the visibility ofscreenwriters at film festivals.

Building on a survey conducted in 2010, we are undertaking a wider investigation into the visibility of screenwriters at film festivals. Togather this information, we are keen to hear of your experiences througha brief online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ScreenwritersSurvey

It will take just five minutes of your time and your participation willbe greatly appreciated.

Your answers and comments are central to this research. They will helpus all understand how screenwriters could be better supported atfestivals and what is necessary to achieve this goal. The findings willbe published in a report to be released in Autumn 2012. IAWG and FSE represent more than 20,000 writers working in film, radio and television on five continents. This joint initiative arose from the 2009 World Conference of Screenwriters in Athens, where it was resolved that the vital contribution of screenwriters needs to be more fully acknowledged both within the film industry and in the public arena atlarge.

Thank you for your consideration.

Yours faithfully

Richard Curtis and David Seidler

Here's the article by Guild member Guy Hibbert (pdf), published in the Writers' Guild magazine UK Writer, about the origins of the film festivals campaign.