Jonathan Glazer announced as new Screenwriting Fellow

Wellcome Trust Headquarters was transformed into a hive of showbiz activity this evening as the latest recipient of Wellcome Trust/BFI Screenwriting Fellowship, run in association with Film4, was announced. Putting an end to months of speculation, Wellcome Trust Director of Strategy, Clare Matterson announced our new Screenwriting Fellow. Elspeth Houlding was at the event…

The Screenwriting Fellowship is part of a range of initiatives the Wellcome Trust runs to support writers, directors and producers to explore biomedical science and its impact on our lives.

Now in its second year, this major screenwriting initiative is designed to nurture enquiring minds and unique voices, bringing the worlds of film and science closer together.

Jonathan Glazer on the set of Under The Skin.

British writer and director Jonathan Glazer was announced as the latest Screenwriting Fellow at the ceremony this evening, which was attended by a host of people from the world of film and television. As Glazer accepted the honor, he was metwith rapturous applause, he commented “Walking around the Wellcome Trust you can really feel that it’s the functioning brain of Henry Wellcome, with the Wellcome Collection is his mind and soul. During this fellowship I hope to think freely without obligation or fear, and see what comes out of it. ”

Glazer is a visionary filmmaker who is well known for directing Sexy Beast – nominated for Best British Film by BAFTA in 2001. This March he released his third feature, Under The Skin, to critical acclaim. He has also directed popular music videos including Jamiroquai’s Virtual Insanity, and Radiohead’s Karma Police. We are excited to see what inspiration he will find during his year-long fellowship.

Jonathan Glazer and the members of the Fellowship Panel.

Industry experts from broadcast and science were brought together to enjoy Freudian cocktails, scientific illusionists and Sex and the City inspired therapy sessions. These are just a taste of what’s to come for Glazer, who receives £30,000 and access to the wide range of Wellcome Trust activity, archives and expertise. The award of his Wellcome Trust staff pass is a symbol that we’re opening the doors to him and he’s always welcome.

The Screenwriting Fellow is selected by members of the Fellowship Panel, which includes script and story editor Kate Leys; Director of Strategy at the Wellcome Trust, Clare Matterson; Senior Development and Production Executive at the BFI Film Fund, Lizzie Francke; and Senior Development Editor at Film4, Eva Yates.

We hope that by enabling an exceptionally talented writer to take the time and space to delve into, and draw inspiration from biomedical science and humanities research, they will be able to explore themes around science and medicine in more depth, and encourage new conversations about science.

Jonathan Glazer with last year’s Screenwriting Fellow, Clio Bernard.

Glazer begins his year-long fellowship in January and the Trust’s Film and Drama Development Manager Meroë Candy will facilitate access to the Wellcome Trust’s global network of research centres as well as the archives, the library, exhibitions and The Hub at the Wellcome Collection.

Last years’ winner, Clio Barnard recently spoke to Screen International about her experience as a Wellcome Trust/BFI Screenwriting Fellow. She said she has met a lot of scientists during her Fellowship, and found it inspiring in ways she hadn’t expected. Her advice for Glazer is to “make time for it and have a completely open mind because they really want to inspire you”.

Find out more about the Wellcome Trust activities in broadcast, games and film on the Trust website. You can also follow the broadcast team on Twitter. The Trust has recently launched a dedicated scheme for co-production finance for TV, radio, games and film projects.