Sol B River

Sol B. River is a writer/producer/director.

Residences include: Writer in residence at Leeds Playhouse and Talawa Theatre Company. He was an associate director at Contact Theatre Manchester. He became the first Black British writer to have a collection published by Oberon books/Bloomsbury. The collections – River Plays 1 and 2 were also published by Oberon Books/Bloomsbury. Sol is published in various anthologies. He has won awards for his film, theatre and television work. The Guardian newspaper described his writing as being ‘like Beckett on amphetamines’ while the BBC has described it as ‘modern moving and mighty’.

His academic work as a Royal Literary Fund Fellow and Advisory Fellow with the Royal Literary Fund allowed him to take on a peripatetic role as writer in residence at University College Chester, Leeds Trinity University, York St John University and the Arden School of Theatre.

His work for BBC Radio 4 Drama and the BBC World Service includes both drama and documentary. Sol has also directed and presented various current affairs films for BBC Newsnight and the Politics Show. He has also directed documentaries for Channel 4 television.

Awards for his film direction include Lodz Media Festival Poland, International Festival Der Filmhochschulen Munich and the BBC London Short Film Festival. For his BBC Radio 4 work he was shortlisted for a Race In the Media Award – RIMA. For television – Walk Against Fear – James Meredith Cablefax Awards 2020 Best Overall Content by Genre Winner. The Telly Awards Silver Winner 2021 General – Television and shortlisted for an Royal Television Society Award – RTS.

Sol completed an MA in scriptwriting and then in film direction at the Northern Film School – Leeds Beckett University.

Sol has used his experience to produce original work and form partnerships that reflect his eclectic experience be it in theatre, television, film or radio.

Writes like Beckett on amphetamines……… The Guardian

River’s power and authority makes one eager to see what he’s going to do next……… Time Out

River, a Leeds-based actor, playwright, filmmaker, Radio 4 scriptwriter and smartypants……… Total Film Magazine

Such delight to be had in River’s clever and original way with words – it had me on the edge of my seat……… The Independent (Two Tracks and Text Me)

One of the most thought provoking performances I’ve ever seen. Modern, moving and mighty……… BBC Online (Two Tracks and Text Me)