Hello RPeapod!

As the year draws to a close, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible journey we've had with you all this year.

From kickstarting the year with a sold out screening of our 2023 award winning shorts at the BFI Southbank Woman With A Movie Camera Summit, to hosting events with our partners at Sunderland Shorts Film Festival, welcoming our fourth cohort of filmmakers to RP: Evolve, launching our second round of Rianne Reads to hundreds of submissions and of course the 5th edition of Women X Film Festival which saw over 600 attendees enjoy our film programmes which included our first feature length screening and first archival film showcase. Not forgetting two script competitions celebrating over 30 shortlisted writers with exciting short film concepts, AND opening our second free script reading window where 30 writers will get script feedback.

As we look ahead to the new year, our 12th (!!!), we are so excited to announce a new initiative that promises to inspire and develop creative minds across the UK, expanding on our current script development programme...

Introducing Evolve Workshop Days

We are excited to introduce our first-ever Evolve Workshop Day in the picturesque setting of the Lake District. This immersive day of writing and workshops is designed to provide a welcoming space to learn more on the art of short film script writing and support those looking for some dedicated time to work on their latest draft.

When: Saturday 22nd February, 10am-6pm (Optional networking from 7pm)
Location: Keswick, Cumbria, Lake District

From our popular 12 week online programme, we’ve adapted our workshops to now provide a group of writers with everything in just one day!

Led by our experienced development team, each session focuses on key aspects of storytelling, from character development to plot structure, along with an in depth look at the end result of stories and how to market your pitch deck and eye up the festivals with the best success rate, ensuring you leave with new tools to enhance your script and steer your career in the right direction.

Plus if you’re looking for script feedback on your latest draft, we have the optional bolt on for not just a detailed feedback report we’ll prepare ahead of the day, but also a sit down with our team to go through the next steps and dive into the story further with you.

Spaces are limited so we can dedicate the time and space to a group of writers, and everyone is welcome regardless of who you are and most importantly what your experience level is, and you have the choice to join us for just the day or make a weekend trip out of it! With lots of holiday homes, hotels and budget friendly places in and around Keswick to stay, along with direct trains from Manchester, Glasgow, London to Penrith station to take advantage of for those travelling from the cities.

We’re also sharing with our RPeadpod a 10% discount, so use LAKES10 to save 10% on your booking. So ideal if you are shopping for a late Christmas gift for yourself, or want to kickstart the new year with some exciting 2025 plans.

Learn more and book your place via here.

Rianne Reads Doubles Submissions

Last month we opened submissions for our second Rianne Reads script reading window, and received double the submissions from our 2023 window!

We drew out 30 scripts at random from the submissions and our readers are hard at work putting together their feedback, we’ll be in touch in mid January confirming to all submissions whether they were successful or not along with sending out the feedback.

Why do we not confirm who was chosen until mid January? Becauuuuuse....if we manage to get through the scripts quicker than expected - we may be able to read and provide feedback on more than 30! So hang tight for now.

Falalalalalalaleave a message

We’re now shutting down ahead of the Christmas period so they’ll be no replies on emails until mid January, some of us are going back to our single beds at family houses, some of us....well we still live in those family houses, some of our are hosting for families and pets, and some of us have children so will be desperately seeking batteries and googling how to gentle parent a toddler pulling the tree down on their sibling.

We hope you find some solace in between any questions you receive about where your career is going, if Netflix have picked up your film, if you’ve sent your CV into the BBC and the ‘Are you still doing that film thing then?’ Christmas can be lovely, but it can also be hard for many of us, so take the time to step back this week and check in on yourself and how you’re feeling and reach out to a friend if you’re struggling. Plus, there’s always an awful looking Christmas dinner picture on social media to have a little giggle at while you’re enjoying the cheese board.

Bits & Bobs 🎬

We will be back in January, excited for a whole new year, thank you for sticking with us throughout 2024, we’ve loved being inside your inboxes and are proud to have supported hundreds of women and gender non conforming filmmakers this year.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight,

Team RP xo