The London Screenwriters’ Festival (LSF) is an annual gathering of emerging and
established screenwriters. The event features over 1000 attendees, 100 sessions and 150 industry expert speakers and runs from 2 to 4 September 2016.
Interested parties have the opportunity to attend these markets as part of the
Writers’ Guild of South Africa’s (WGSA) application to the Department of Trade and
Industry’s (DTI) Group Export Sector Specific Assistance Scheme (SSAS). This opportunity aligns with the DTI’s aim to help emerging content writers promote their projects at some of the world’s top events.
WGSA cannot guarantee that the DTI will approve the group application.
While some individuals may want to apply to the DTI directly, many writers are not
in a position to fund a trip and then be reimbursed later, as per the individual
scheme. The advantage of the group scheme is that the DTI pays suppliers upfront
for flights, transfers and accommodation, including breakfast and dinner. It also pays for the group’s stand at the market, the printing of brochures and the
freighting of promotional materials.
The group scheme is predominantly for emerging writers (60%), but a smaller
contingent of experienced writers will be accepted as well. Preference will be given
to previously disadvantaged applicants, especially those who have never attended
an international film and script market before, and applicants with market ready
developed scripts.
For more information, a full list of rules and application requirements, visit the WGSA website or email: admin@writersguildsa.org or wgsainfo@gmail.com
