:: Writers x Producers ::

 

 

The In Development Producers Lab & Story to Shorts Writers Lab are two talent development programmes and a partnership between Film Hub Midlands, Film Hub North and BFI NETWORK.

 

Film Hub North’s BFI NETWORK Talent Executives nurture the professional development of exciting filmmaking talent in the region through training programmes. This includes Script Lab, which offers a cohort of writers expert guidance and support to turn a short film idea into a ready-to-shoot script, whilst Creative Producer Lab, in collaboration with Film Hub Midlands, helps develop a new wave of emerging producers. Likewise Film Hub Midland’s BFI NETWORK Talen Executives nurtures the professional development of the extraordinary filmmaking talent, building a confident, diverse creative community of directors, writers and producers and allocates National Lottery funding to film productions.

 

We’ve grilled the 2025 cohort on their biggest take away from the labs and their future plans, dig in to the responses received:

. . .

Femi S. Craigwell

WRITER :: NORTH

https://www.instagram.com/femicraigwell

 

Bio

Femi is an emerging screenwriter and a Film & Media Studies graduate based in Cheshire. In 2021, her short film script, Drone, was shortlisted for Thirty Three Film’s Short Film Call Out competition. The following year, her flash fiction piece was published in 81 Words, an anthology that broke the world record for the most stories and authors and won the Saboteur Award for Best Anthology. In 2023, Femi was named a finalist at the UK Film Festival for her horror/thriller short script, Teeth. Most recently, she was selected for the Film Hub North & BFI Network Script Lab 2025.

 

For me the biggest take away from the Story to Shorts Lab was:

The biggest takeaway for me is the power of connecting with other creatives, sharing feedback, supporting each other, and learning directly from industry professionals about what goes into making a great short film script.

 

If I could produce/write my dream project tomorrow it would be:

My dream project would be to write a script that psychologically scares both audiences and myself to the core, so much so that it would attract directors like Jordan Peele.

 

I'm currently/will soon be working on:

I’m currently working on multiple projects that allow me to experiment with a range of storytelling formats and structures. These projects span a variety of genres, from psychological thrillers and horror to experimental drama.

 

My slate in 5 years time is likely to have the following sorts of film(s)/projects:

 

A collection of stories that stay with you long after you’ve watched them.

 

My most watched film is:

Midsommar is a horror film that is both beautiful and unsettling, one I had never seen before, with so many stories told beneath the surface.

“Nature just knows instinctually how to stay in harmony.

It’s mechanical. Everything doing its part.”

For me the biggest take away from the Aesthetica Short Film Fest was:

The creative arts mean so much to people, and a shared love of film brings communities together.

 

My favourite part of (and/or film at) the Aesthetica Short Film Fest was:

Meeting so many talented creatives, writers, producers, and directors was incredibly inspiring. Attending masterclasses with Peter Straughan was a life-changing experience, offering insights from an exceptionally skilled screenwriter. I also enjoyed watching a variety of amazing short films throughout the lab too.

 

My dream team collab (writers/directors/producers/actors, etc... dead, alive, real or fictional!) =

Jordan Peele, Quentin Tarantino, Yorgos Lanthimos, Coen brothers, Greta Gerwig.

 

 

image from the journal’s virtual edition: https://newart.city/show/labs2025 

. . .

Sophie Broadgate

WRITER :: NORTH

https://www.instagram.com/sophiebroadgate 

 

Bio

Sophie is a filmmaker based in Cumbria. Her work spans across narrative, artist moving image and documentary. She has screened at BAFTA and BIFA qualifying festivals including Manchester Film Festival, Women X and Beeston Film festival amongst other festivals both locally and internationally. She has just completed “Part Fish”, a moving image / documentary film. “Part Fish” investigates the relationship between movement and autism. The film is produced by Mordecai films and currently being submitted to festivals. In 2025 she was selected for BFI’s script lab, a mentorship and support scheme for narrative short scripts. Through this programme she is developing a new queer short film.

 

For me the biggest take away from the Story to Shorts Lab was:

 

To write less dialogue! I stripped away so much talking and allowed moments of silence. This time gave space for visual storytelling and cinematic exploration.

 

If I could produce/write my dream project tomorrow it would be:

 

It would be the film I’ve been working on through the scheme. It’s a queer love story. I’m ready to make something cute.

 

I'm currently/will soon be working on:

 

I’m balancing a few projects at the moment all in the neurodivergent space. I’m finishing off three short documentary films in partnership with Manchester University research teams about autism and dance, I’m releasing Part Fish, a documentary about stimming and then I’m writing a lot (both scripts and funding applications).

 

My slate in 5 years time is likely to have the following sorts of film(s)/projects:

 

Queer, arthouse, neurodivergent ones.

 

My most watched film is:

 

Probably Lost in Translation. I think it perfectly expresses the feelings I was having at the time of watching it and it feels very relevant still today. The natural lighting, the patient shots, it’s just too good. I also love all of the behind the scenes stories of them running around Tokyo and Japan with a skeleton crew for some of the sequences. You can feel that energy.

 

For me the biggest take away from the Aesthetica Short Film Fest was:

 

I think it reaffirmed my belief that film and arts community is so vital. I felt high with excitement seeing new work, hearing people talk about their work and being in the company of people who are as nerdy as I am. I particularly admire Aesthetica for it’s cross platform approach. I’ve always been someone who is interested in different ways of telling stories so to be able to have a day of film, games, XR and VR felt perfect. Our artforms inform each other so I love seeing this represented in a festival.

 

My favourite part of (and/or film at) the Aesthetica Short Film Fest was:

 

Really hard to choose. I opened the programme and I died with happiness. I think for me it was being with all of the lab group and getting to know the producers a bit. We’ve all worked so hard so it was lovely to celebrate that together in real life.

 

My dream team collab (writers/directors/producers/actors, etc... dead, alive, real or fictional!) =

Ooooofff what a question! Gareth Edwards is first on my list. I think his ideas are so unique and I’d love to get his VFX mind on a project. I also think he balances working on large IPs with his own projects really well. It’s a balance that seems hard to find. I would love to watch Anna Rose Holmer, Chloé Zhao and Céline Sciamma work on set. I’d like to go on an adventure with Agnès Varda even in ghost form. Imagine the mischief. In real life I work with some incredible creatives: Margot Douglas and Adam Pickford have been with me making stuff for many years and it is always dreamy to work with them.

 

image from the journal’s virtual edition: https://newart.city/show/labs2025 

. . .
Jamie Starboisky

PRODUCER :: NORTH

https://queermedia.org.uk

 

Bio

 

Jamie Starboisky founded the Queer Media Festival in Manchester, England in 2013 as a celebration of queer storytelling Jamie picin every form of media through in-conversations with queer media professionals, short films, performances and workshops. The idea came to him whilst at TEDx Salford watching the inspiring talk by author Joanne Harris who explained “we are all made of stories”. In November 2019 the sixth edition of the festival was held, for the fourth time, at HOME, Manchester’s £25 million combined arts venue.

Jamie is currently exploring the use and impact of mobile filmmaking, interactive transmedia storytelling and virtual reality in bringing the international queer community together. Jamie believes through utilising this technology to tell our stories we can ultimately change the world one story at a time.

2017 was the final year of his Broadcast Journalism degree at the University of Salford and featured below are some examples of his work and projects that he has produced during his time at university. Also check out this link to watch his video work from short films to news packages. He has previously graduated with a Foundation degree in Journalism from the University of the Arts London. He has followed his passion for digital, journalism and short form content through working as a Web Editor for Sky News and the Metro Online.

 

If I could produce/write my dream project tomorrow it would be:

 

Finally complete this project https://queermedia.org.uk/thereseandpeta

 

I'm currently/will soon be working on:

 

I’ve applied for so much immersive funding to complete the Therese & Peta VR project. Fingers crossed!

 

My slate in 5 years time is likely to have the following sorts of film(s)/projects:

 

Independent films, documentaries

 

My most watched film is:

 

Priscilla Queen of the Desert

 

For me the biggest take away from the Aesthetica Short Film Fest was:

 

How amazing the wide range of virtual reality representation was and how staffing it could be improved with more technical helpers

 

My favourite part of (and/or film at) the Aesthetica Short Film Fest was:

 

The huge choice and that the whole focus was on uplifting short films

 

My dream team collab (writers/directors/producers/actors, etc... dead, alive, real or fictional!) =

Jonathan Bailey 🙂

 

FEEL FREE TO ADD + ANSWER YOUR OWN QUESTION(S) HERE :P

 

Wish there was a emphasis on where to look for funding and how to apply rather and what funders look for rather than just on how to organise the elements needed to make a film. Nothing starts without funding!

 

image from the journal’s virtual edition: https://newart.city/show/labs2025 

 

. . .

Thom Smalley

PRODUCER :: MIDLANDS

https://www.instagram.com/smalleyschopshop

 

Bio

I don’t have a proper producer’s bio yet as I’ve been an editor for the past 17 years so in lieu here’s my editor’s bio; Thom is a seven-time Canadian Cinema Editor Award-nominated film and TV editor with over 15 years of experience in both scripted and documentary. Having had it’s world premiere at TIFF 50, Thom’s latest feature is Pablo Trapero’s & SONS based on the 2004 bestseller by David Gilbert and adapted for the screen by Oscar-Winner Sarah Polley. The film stars Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, George MacKay, Noah Jupe, Johnny Flynn and Dominic West. Recently, he has collaborated with Seth Rogen’s production company, Point Grey, on The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down and Kevin Hart’s HartBeat on the horror flick Don’t F**k with Ghosts. Thom has edited many of Canada’s most successful digital series, including the International Emmy-winning Guidestones, the Canadian Screen Award-winning Save Me, and Amanda Parris’s “sharp yet hilarious” comedy, Revenge of the Black Best Friend, which was an official selection at the 2022 Canneseries competition. Thom seeks out ambitious projects that not only drive social change and foster important discussions but also challenge him creatively and sharpen his storytelling skills.

 

For me the biggest take away from the In Development Lab was:

 

I didn’t realise how in-demand producers are, so that really made me feel like the skills I was learning could benefit so many creators in the region! Also, it was wonderful to see how much talent we have in the Midlands and the North AND such friendly people!

 

If I could produce/write my dream project tomorrow it would be:

 

A dream project would have to involve an amazing script, a happy, passionate cast and crew, a smooth shoot and a finished film that thrills an audience. Oh and enough budget that can take us to the festivals we get into, to present the dream film in-person!

 

I'm currently/will soon be working on:

 

I’m currently working on a few short films, a couple as an editor and a couple as producer. They range from a spy action film to a dark comedy mockumentary, I love variety! I am looking for more in the new year. I’m also working as an editor on an Amazon Prime comedy reality series.

 

My slate in 5 years time is likely to have the following sorts of film(s)/projects:

 

Feature film versions of the super successful shorts I’ve produced in the 5 years leading up to this moment? That’s half joke half goal!

My most watched film is:

 

As a dad to a 3 year old, realistically, my most watched film is My Neighbour Totoro! Which I don’t mind one bit. But before that it was probably a Tony Scott film like Enemy of the State. I’ve watched Knives Out many times too or perhaps it’s The Holiday because I can’t resist it when it’s on every Christmas.

 

For me the biggest take away from the Aesthetica Short Film Fest was:

 

How many quality short films people are making! I saw so many great ones and the audience reaction to the thriller program was so much fun to be a part of. Now I want to make a film that people are shouting things at and squirming in their seats from!

 

My favourite part of (and/or film at) the Aesthetica Short Film Fest was:

 

Aside from the audience reactions, I loved the workshops and masterclasses, this insight into the greater industry was eye opening and a pretty encouraging boost when there’s quite a lot of doom and gloom.

 

My dream team collab (writers/directors/producers/actors, etc... dead, alive, real or fictional!) =

Tough question! There are so many talented people I’d love to work with out there! Maybe Michael Fassbender and Olivia Coleman for cast – Denis Villeneuve would be an incredible visionary to see in action or Ava DuVernay! It would be a dream to work with an Aaron Sorkin script!

 

image from the journal’s virtual edition: https://newart.city/show/labs2025