Hey RPeaPod, here’s your October newsletter 🌸

This weekend gives us a little treat of an extra hour in bed, did you know the first year we held Women X Fest we forgot about the time difference so the schedule for Sunday was all out of sync, oh the things we learn. Halloween is also approaching, the big coats and boots are out and we’re back in your inbox with your monthly drop of news & bits & bobs.

So what’s happening at RP HQ?

2026 Planning…

Well after a well deserved REST, we’re opening festival submissions again soon, and for the first time, we’ll be including feature films alongside our shorts. It’s a new chapter, loooong awaited for us and we can’t wait to see the work you’ve been pouring your heart into.

Alongside this are a few other changes, re-evaluating our schedule, expanding our team and developing our offering especially with scripts…. All of which is helped by our audience feedback, so if you haven’t filled out that little survey yet and you joined us last month, check your inboxes!

Probably the biggest reflection are the dates of our festival, our first ever festival (as you read above!) was in late October, we then shifted to early September due to the venue we had for our second year, and then we kinda stuck around early September before settling on the third weekend for the past two years.

However, the most bonkers thing about the film festival calendar is how overcrowded it is?! (wellll over saturation in the film festival space is another issue but that’s another newsletter) there are weekends where you have several festivals all happening at the same time.

A dates move may be on the cards for us in 2027 and whether that’s a later move in the Autumn or possibly even a hop into Spring, we’ll take some time to make the right choice. For for 2026 we’ll be sticking to our cosy third weekend of September around the Autumn Equinox.

And here’s where you can jump in, we’re expanding our festival team. If you’ve ever wanted to help shape programming, events, or community cinema, keep an eye on next month’s newsletter for more info.

Over in Development

Evolvember and Returning to the lakes

After the festival, we heard from so many filmmakers who said the same thing: “I feel inspired, but I don’t know where to start next.” We’ve been running RP: Evolve our development programme for over four years now (!!!) working closely with over 100 filmmakers now to develop their scripts, skillsets and careers. We’ve had writers land their way on Slick Films long list, win BFI funding and move from shorts to features.

So for November we’re excited to bring a cosy edition of Evolve online! While we plan our next in person retreat back in the gorgeous Lake District (with hopefully no train disasters and pouring rain this time!)

Over 4 weeks, we’ll be hosting a step-by-step journey combining pre-recorded sessions, bespoke worksheets, twice-weekly WhatsApp prompts, and two live workshops with writing sprints:

Week 1 – Kickstart & Creative Reset
Set your goals, dive into what blocks you have, and meet your cohort.

Week 2 – Story Building Blocks
In the first of our workshops, we will deepen your theme, strengthen structure, and map your project’s path. With group writing time to stick to your accountability plan.

Week 3 – From Page to Screen
Bring your story to life through forming its creative identity to build your confidence communicating to collaborators and funders.

Week 4 – Sharpen & Showcase
In our second workshop, we focus on characters and dialogue, are they pushing your story forward? or holding it back?. With writing time to hit your final pages goal.

There’s only a few more spaces remaining, as massive groups can be a bit overwhelming can’t they? and as you’re so lovely here’s a 10% discount for newsletter subscribers RPEAPOD10

Book your spot

Can you believe these talented guys?!

Festival Alumni News

Following another edition of the festival, it means we have a new cohort of filmmakers to celebrate and share their news!!! So giddy up because this lot certainly are making a splash on the festival scene, ok here we go.

At Exit 6 Film Festival you had I Hate Helen from Katie Lambert, Happy Snaps from Tyro Heath, Egg Timer from Rosie Smith and Hattie Jackson and PLEASE from Izzy Meikle-Small and Fiona McGarvey.

Pegs and Bacon from Sarah Mason swept up awards over at Women Over Fifty Film Festival.

Joy O’Dance from Dawn Feather won Best documentary at Children’s International Film Festival of Wales

Skate Like a Lass from Juliet Klottrup has been shortlisted for the British Mountaineering Council’s Women in Adventure Film Competition and will be screening at Kendal Mountain Festival.

Do You Have Kids? from Sam Brain WON Best Film and Best Editing at Highbridge Film Festival, in Kentucky.

At Women Of The Lens Festival you’ve got Irpinia from Jameisha Prescod, Ugly Instagram from Temi Yussuf and Shoobs from Janet Etuk

We had a Triple Threat with Bluff from Naomi Wright, The Removed from Rebecca Rose and Cherry B from Ornella Hawthorn-Gardez as all three films screened at Ealing Film Festival AND Bournemouth Film Festival.

The Removed also featured at Cornwall Film Festival and Earls Court Film Festival. And Bluff was at The HB Film Festival and the 225 Film Club, as well as Hollyshorts London where Egg Timer joins it!

Dark Skin Bruises Differently from Susan Wokoma hit the screens at London Film Festival.

Laura Lee Daly, who made Emma, has been nominated for Best Newcomer at the North East Culture Awards.

Got Guts from Georgia Leigh-Taylor screened at Nottingham Film Festival, who also WON Best Comedy at Wigan & Leigh Film Festival.

BREAKS from Christina Yianni screened at Earls Court Film Festival and Tweetfest.

Solers United from Sara Harrak is now screening on Film 4!

Andddd in our wider RP Community

What’s going on?

Saint Agnes by Kate Driver, a short drama on the aftermath of a sexual assault is currently working it’s way through post production, The Beth Complex by Maggie Dickinson a horror esque sisterly thriller is finalising up it’s final edit before heading to festivals and Infant Hercules by Natalia Fox a northern female wrestling drama has kickstarted it’s crowdfunding campaign. (check that out here!)

What do these three films have in common you ask? Well we’re producing them….👀

One more thing

We’re piecing together our diaries for next year and there’s nothing we love more than visiting other festivals, so what are your faves?

All our love,

Team RP xo