a new event for writers
First Draft is a new event aimed at writers, no matter your experience. Whether you’ve finished your very first script that nobody else has seen, or you’re already in the early stages of your career, at First Draft you’ll connect with the writing community and develop your voice. Speakers from across the TV industry and beyond will come together to create a programme of talks and masterclasses designed to help inspire writers to create their next great project.
First Draft is where you can also meet 2025’s New Writers Collective supported by All3Media, our longstanding partner in uncovering and championing new voices.
EVENT DETAILS
Location: Soho Theatre Dean Street, London, W1D 3NE
Date: Thursday 27 March 2025
Timings: 10.00am – 5.00pm with doors opening at 09.30am
Catering: We will be providing lunch at Soho Theatre during this event
Tickets and bursaries: The cost of tickets to First Draft are already subsidised by The TV Foundation but we recognise even that is challenging for some who may wish to attend. Therefore we are offering bursaries, you can find more information on eligibility and how to apply using this form.
Our deadline for bursary applications is Thursday 20th March. Any applications made after this date will not be considered.
PROGRAMME ANNOUnCEMENTS
We’re excited to announce that BAFTA-winning writer Joe Barton will join us to deliver a masterclass at First Draft!
Joe Barton is the creator, writer and executive producer of Netflix’s hit spy drama BLACK DOVES and Sky’s forthcoming adaptation of AMADEUS. He’s also the BAFTA-winning writer and executive producer behind hit projects like THE LAZARUS PROJECT, HALF BAD: THE BASTARD SON AND THE DEVIL HIMSELF, and three-time BAFTA-nominated and BAFTA-winning GIRI/HAJI. Joe will join us to discuss his career and creative process with Edinburgh TV Festival’s Creative Director Rowan Woods.
Executive Producer and Founder of Dancing Ledge, Laurence Bowen, will be hosting this discussion on demystifying development. He’ll be joined by Development Producers, Brian Birigwa at Maia Pictures, Gina Lyons at Gobby Girl Productions and Sid Strickland from Motive Pictures.
They will reveal the processes and practice involved with development and being a development producer. The producers will offer advice for new writers and explain how they identify new voices, source IP, work with writers and eventually pitch their vision to commissioners.
Script Consultant and Producer, Philip Shelley, discusses the realities of a screenwriting career, exploring different routes in and where the opportunities are, with screenwriters Chandni Lakhani, Jeffrey Aidoo and Karen Cogan.
These writers will discuss their working realities, and how they forged their pathways to write on some of the UK’s best TV shows.
Emma Obank, Creative & Commercial Affairs Executive at Bad Wolf, will join us for an in-conversation with our Creative Director, Rowan Woods. Emma will draw on extensive experience as an agent, and the work she does now at Bad Wolf. This session will focus on practical advice for writers, particularly around the business side of things and how writers work with agents.
Emma Obank joined Bad Wolf in 2024 as Creative & Commercial Affairs Executive and manages Bad Wolf’s new writer develop programme, Blaidd. Prior to this Emma spent 10 years at leading literary agency Casarotto Ramsay & Associates which operates internationally and represents many of the world’s best known creatives. In 2018 Emma began building her own list of screenwriters, directors and literary properties at Casarotto; growing to represent some of the UK’s most exciting and promising new voices including Emmy award-winning writer/performer Richard Gadd and ‘Ms. Marvel’ showrunner Bisha K. Ali.
Simon Nelson, Development Executive at BBC Writers, will join us at First Draft to offer pragmatic advice on story and writing for television.
Simon Nelson is the Development Executive for BBC Writers — a department dedicated to the development of talented writers across the UK. He has worked in television drama for nearly three decades in both the BBC and the independent sector — as script editor, storyliner, producer, director and executive.