Arvon Screenwriting Programme
Arvon’s Screenwriting Programme is a new talent development programme for emerging screenwriters from working-class and lower socio-economic backgrounds. Over two years, Arvon will support five screenwriters to attend in-person and online writing courses, and work towards completing a spec script with one-to-one mentoring. They will gain vital insights into the TV industry, and specifically the drama and comedy-drama landscapes.
Thanks to the generous support of Prime Video Pathway, the Arvon Screenwriting Programme is free to take part in. Arvon will additionally cover travel costs, and has a small fund to put towards other costs incurred by spending three weeks away from home across the two-year programme.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAMME
One five-day Residential Writing Course, led by professional screenwriters, taking place 12-17 April 2027 at The Hurst, Arvon’s writing house in Shropshire. You’ll benefit from morning group workshops, afternoon one-to-one tutorials, evening Q&A sessions with guest speakers, and dedicated time and space to write alongside other screenwriters.
One five-day Residential Tutored Retreat, led by a professional screenwriter and a script editor, scheduled for 31 January – 5 February 2028 at Totleigh Barton, Arvon’s writing house in Devon. You’ll have access to daily one-to-one tutorials with detailed feedback on scripts, alongside sustained, uninterrupted writing time.
One five-day Residential Course with an actors’ workshop in Year Two, giving you the chance to hear extracts of your work performed by professional actors.
Five online Masterclasses with leading industry figures.
Two Online Writing Days led by a professional screenwriter.
Three online industry advice sessions with casting directors, agents, producers, and other industry professionals. These sessions will offer practical guidance on navigating the industry, securing representation, and positioning work effectively.
One-to-one mentoring sessions. In Year One, you’ll be paired with a screenwriter to learn from their practice and experience in the industry. Each writer will work with one of the following mentors: Suhayla El-Bushra, David Eldridge, Lisa Holdsworth, Courttia Newland and Alice Nutter. In Year Two, you’ll work with a script editor to gain more detailed feedback on your writing.
Access to Arvon’s writing resources, including fortnightly writing tips and exercises, and an online library of over 500 writing insights from Arvon tutors.
At the end of the programme, you’ll have developed a strong spec script, a peer support network and the confidence to call yourself a screenwriter.
WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for writers who have a strong voice, potential and ambition. You may not have significant experience, but you must have the level of commitment that can sustain a two-year programme of script development.
You must be passionate about writing for the screen and have a compelling story for TV.
You will have seen a wide range of television dramas, and understand the basic principles of how to lay out a script (find a helpful BBC guide here).
You may apply with a new project or with a project in the early stages of development.
We want to support writers who demonstrate in their application that they need this opportunity to develop their screenwriting career now.
We are especially looking to support writers who have struggled to access similar opportunities in the past and who wouldn’t normally be able to pay for a similar level of engagement with Arvon’s public programmes.
Full eligibility criteria are outlined below. Please read through this carefully before you begin your application.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
This programme is for emerging screenwriters aged 18+ (as of 1 January 2027) who live in the UK and plan to continue living here until at least November 2028.
Applicants must be from working-class or lower socio-economic backgrounds. Writers from these backgrounds continue to face significant barriers to entering and sustaining careers in film and television. Research published in 2024 by the Creative Industries Policy and Research Centre found that only 8.4% of creatives working across film, TV, radio, and photography come from working-class backgrounds, the lowest figure recorded in the past decade.
We recognise that there is no single definition of being working class. Working-class experiences are diverse and may be reflected through a range of socio-economic indicators. This may include those:
who attended state schools with high levels of socio-economic disadvantage
who grew up in social housing or temporary accommodation
who grew up in areas of high deprivation
who grew up in a household receiving means-tested benefits
who were eligible for Free School Meals at school
who were the first in their family to attend university
who had significant caring responsibilities during childhood
who are care-experienced
who experienced significant financial barriers to participating in extracurricular activities, arts or cultural opportunities during childhood
whose parents or carers worked in routine, manual, technical, service, or other non-professional occupations
who have limited family/friend networks within professional or creative industries
You are not eligible if you:
attended a private or fee-paying preparatory, primary or secondary school
have a broadcast credit as a television writer or theatrical release as a feature film writer – although if you have a short film (20 minutes or less) you may still apply
have a TV/film agent
are under contract for a screen project
are in full-time education of any kind in the academic years 2026-27 or 2027-28
are currently, or plan to be in academic years 2026-27 or 2027-28, studying any kind of creative writing (including screenwriting) at university, part-time or full-time
will undertake another writer development programme between January 2027 – November 2028
If you’re not sure if you’re eligible, or want to discuss your specific circumstances, please get in touch via screenwriting@arvon.org.
