Short Film Script Development Studio

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Screenwriting, Short Films, Writing, Weekend

A fast-paced, intensive two-day crash course designed for emerging and developing filmmakers ready to turn ideas into compelling short film concepts. Through hands-on exercises and guided development, participants will learn how to generate original ideas, shape powerful themes, and structure stories that resonate with international audiences and markets. Over the two days, filmmakers will take their concept from a spark of inspiration to a clear, compelling short film premise—complete with strong characters, meaningful conflict, and emotional impact. The approach prioritises creative exploration, peer discussion, and practical development, while introducing professional frameworks used in international short film development and pitching contexts.

Course Info

Date:

20 -21 June 2026

Times:

10:00 – 17:00

Duration:

2 Days

Fee:

£ 350

Capacity:

What’s included?

Over the course of the workshop, participants will be introduced to the craft of short film storytelling with a focus on creating work that can resonate with international audiences. Throughout the weekend, the group will watch and discuss a selection of award-winning and festival-recognised short films from around the world, exploring what makes them effective across cultures and contexts. Through guided conversations, participants will examine how theme, emotion, and clarity of storytelling allow short films to travel beyond their place of origin and connect with viewers globally. These discussions will help participants identify the universal human ideas at the heart of strong short films.

Alongside these screenings and discussions, the workshop will include a range of practical creative exercises designed to unlock and develop original ideas. Guided free-writing sessions will help participants generate raw story material, while image-based prompts—such as photographs and still images—will be used to stimulate visual thinking and narrative possibilities. Group discussions will provide a supportive space to test the emotional clarity and universality of emerging ideas, encouraging participants to reflect on what feels most authentic and personally meaningful. By the end of the process, participants will have explored several story possibilities and identified the ideas that feel strongest, most compelling, and ready for further development.

Participants will leave the course on Day 2 with:

A clearly articulated short film concept
A defined protagonist, motivation, and antagonistic force
A basic story arc or scene outline
A strong foundation for writing a short film script

Who is this course for?

This course is ideal for:

Emerging filmmakers and writers
Film students or recent graduates
Visual artists transitioning into narrative filmmaking
Creators interested in international festivals and co-production contexts

Schedule

Day 1 – Finding the Story (Idea Generation)

Morning

Welcome and course overview
Introduction to international short film storytelling
Screening and discussion of short films
Theme discussion: universal stories and emotional resonance
Idea generation & guided free-writing exercises

Afternoon

Image-based idea development
Further writing exercises
Small group sharing and discussion
Screening and discussion of other short films
Identifying and refining the strongest story ideas

Day 2 – Shaping the Story

Morning

Recap and introduction to short film structure
Exploring character motivation and desire
Internal vs external journeys in short films
Understanding conflict and antagonism

Afternoon

Developing story ideas through guided exercises
Small group discussion and peer feedback
Facilitator feedback and group reflection

Tutor

Geoff Bellhouse

Screenwriting, Screenwriter, Short Films

Geoff Bellhouse

Screenwriting, Screenwriter, Short Films

Geoff is a filmmaker with a deep understanding of both the creative and collaborative
processes involved in short film development. He began his journey in cinema at Septima Ars
Film School in Madrid, where he directed two 16mm short films. He later completed a
Master’s in Filmmaking at The London Film School, graduating in 2010 after working on
numerous award-winning independent shorts and documentaries.

Over the past decade, Geoff has actively developed his craft through participation in several
prestigious international talent labs, each of which has significantly informed his creative and
pedagogical approach. He was selected for the European Short Pitch Scheme hosted by NISI
MASA, where he developed the short film Life under the mentorship of acclaimed Italian
director Fabio Grassadonia. He was an alumnus of the Berlinale Talent Campus, a globally
respected platform that fosters the next generation of cinematic voices. Geoff’s films have
screened widely across Europe, earning recognition at top-tier festivals. His short ROOTS
premiered at the 56th BFI London Film Festival, while his Film London supported short
ANITA screened at both the 57th BFI London Film Festival and multiple other international
film festivals. Geoff further honed his screenwriting skills through AdaptLab, a year-long
development programme run by the Torino Film Lab, focused on the art of literary adaptation
for the screen.

These experiences across labs and festivals have not only shaped Geoff’s storytelling but also
his ability to nurture and guide emerging writers. His exposure to a variety of narrative
traditions, collaborative environments, and development frameworks makes him uniquely
qualified to lead intensive screenwriting workshops, helping students take their stories from
first draft to festival-ready scripts

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