New Writer Focus 22/23 selected projects
Date Posted: December 2, 2022
Three writers have been selected from 135 applications to develop their projects through our New Writer Focus scheme in 2022/23. Congratulations to Claire McGowan, Noel McCann and Caitlin Jacobsen.
New Writer Focus is a script development scheme for Northern Ireland resident writers new to feature film, long-form drama or sit-com. Scripts that have come through New Writer Focus in the past include Mark McNally’s Land of Saints and Sinners which stars Liam Neeson and Ciarán Hinds and Kevin Fitzpatrick’s The Last Rifleman starring Pierce Brosnan, both of which filmed earlier this year.
The annual call for scripts went out in June were looking for compelling stories with a unique or fresh perspective, ambitious authored voices and stories with strong character journeys. Claire, Noel and Caitlin are now participating in eight months of development which includes writers’ rooms, individual project and writer development, development seminars and networking opportunities.
Claire McGowan has written Getting Off, a TV comedy about Anna and Jim. Claire is an acclaimed novelist from County Down, now living in London. As well as twenty books, both non-fiction and fiction, she has also written multiple radio plays and has several TV projects in development.
Anna and Jim are perfect for each other – the only problem is they’re both attending a court-mandated therapy group for sex and love addiction, and if they so much as look at each other they could find themselves in jail. Alongside a group of other addicts with their own problems, they have to heal their wounds, complete the course, and find their way to a healthy relationship, most of all with themselves.
Noel McCann’s feature film Two Little Birds is set in Northern Ireland. With a ceasefire looming, ex-combatant Michael begins planning a new life for himself in Australia. Before he can leave, he’s tasked with carrying out one more job – keep the wayward Seamus out of trouble until it’s safe to leave the country. Summoning his dormant parenting skills, Michael soon realises this might be his most difficult mission yet.
Noel from North Antrim has a number of projects in development and has recently worked on Belfast-based police drama Blue Lights. He has also been selected for the BBC Writersroom ‘Pilot Scheme’.
Sea Glass is a feature film written by Caitlin Jacobsen form Belfast. Caitlin is a recent Drama graduate of the University of East Anglia where her dissertation, the first version of ‘Sea Glass’, won the Snoo Wilson prize for scriptwriting.
One year ago Bou’s father came to save her from dangerous waters, but he didn’t make it out alive. Now her life is on pause as she continues to deal with the repercussions. Suffocated by the grief and guilt, and living with her increasingly dysfunctional family, she’s made the decision to leave her home, which doesn’t feel like home anymore. She gets a job in the local tackle shop to save up to leave, however new friendships form and eventually she has to learn to confront her guilt, whilst she tries to heal and reconnect with her home and the people she loves.
