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Edinburgh International Film Festival Appoints Screenwriter In Residence Nicole Taylor

24th August 2017

Photograph of Edinburgh International Film Festival Appoints Screenwriter In Residence Nicole Taylor

Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has today announced Glasgow-born screenwriter Nicole Taylor as the new EIFF Screenwriter-in-Residence.

The appointment will see Taylor receive a bursary of £7,500 and access to the four Edinburgh universities between now and June 2018, when the 72nd edition of the film Festival will take place. During this time Taylor will have the opportunity to develop project ideas with science and humanities researchers.

Taylor most recently wrote BBC One's three-part series Three Girls about the Rochdale grooming scandal, which premiered to outstanding reviews and a powerful audience response. The Times called Taylor's Three Girls a "searingly compelling drama" and The Herald commented that “TV with this kind of power and significance is rare today” and “to see it three nights running in prime time on BBC One is astonishing”. It averaged a consolidated audience of 8.1 million on BBC One and more than 9.3 million requests for the series were made on BBC iPlayer.

Prior to that Taylor’s multi-BAFTA nominated single drama, The C Word, starring Sheridan Smith, was produced for BBC One. She has also written on numerous series, including Indian Summers for Channel 4, The Hour for BBC Two, and Ashes to Ashes for BBC One.

Her original feature Country Music has just completed filming in Glasgow - directed by Tom Harper, produced by Faye Ward and stars Julie Walters, Sophie Okonedo and Jessie Buckley. The film was developed and financed by the BFI (awarding funds from the National Lottery), Creative Scotland and Film4.

Taylor said: “I am so delighted and grateful to have been chosen as the EIFF’s Screenwriter in Residence. I can’t think of a more valuable opportunity for a screenwriter than access to the great brains and great work of Edinburgh’s universities. I’m so excited about the year of discussions that lie ahead, which I hope will be touch paper for new ideas and new work”.

The programme is developed in partnership with Wellcome and with the Beltane Public Engagement Network, who provide links and facilitate access to research at The University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Napier University and Queen Margaret University. This access helps build connections between the worlds of film and science.

Mark Adams, Artistic Director at EIFF said: “We are thrilled that Nicole will be the latest EIFF Screenwriter-in-Residence. She is a real talent, delivering striking new work and look forward to seeing what she will be achieving with the research opportunities on offer.”

Meroë Candy, Film and Drama Executive at Wellcome said: “We were lucky enough to have Nicole attend one of our first ever Wellcome Ideas Lab at EIFF in 2014. She is a wonderful writer and her commitment to research and authenticity in both Three Girls and The C Word was exceptional. We’re delighted to continue to support her to be inspired by science and research.”

Heather Rea, Project Lead for the Beltane Public Engagement Network said: “We are delighted that Nicole will be working with our researchers this year. There is so many interesting things being studied at universities that need to be ‘out there’, and story (and film!) is one of the best ways to share it. It will be fascinating to see what Nicole uncovers and how she uses her expertise to weave it into her work.”

The residency includes:
£7,500 Award
Access to some of the leading researchers and fellows in Scotland
Access to the universities facilities and libraries

For more information on EIFF visit www.edfilmfest.org.uk.