In March 2023 & March 2024, we supported a number of brilliant makers (writers / directors and/or producers) to take part in a week-long Creative Residency. Our aim was to help parents and carers who needed some focused time away from their caring responsibilities to research, develop, advance or complete a project in the screen industries.
The spaces to write were donated for free to support our community; the cost to participants was their travel and subsistence, and any paid for care while away. Words & images below by Olivia Martin-McGuire:
“As both a mother and a filmmaker it’s often tricky to find time and space to dream – that essential flow you need to find when you’re writing or conjuring up a new project.
This part of the process doesn’t work well when it’s tightly time-managed. There’s no room for the unruly and unfettered ideas, the diversions and cul de sacs that are temporary irritants, but always make the work richer and more fulfilling. That kind of dreaming requires something of a surrender from the domestic chores and the responsibilities of others. It requires space for that ‘other world’ to come alive, within you. Doing this residency was exactly this space.
But it was made even better because it was shared with other kindred storyteller carers in the same boat as me. We all knew how precious and liberating this week was. We all dived into our own work over the course of a week, but we also got to support each other when coming up for breath. Whether it was some off-the-cuff improvised readings, short recordings, theme discussions or testing story breakdowns – it was easy, natural, inspiring and fun.
In the space of a week, we found an incredible connection, friendship – and discovered some new things about our own creative approaches. I can’t recommend it highly enough.”
Applications are now open for our 2026 Residencies in May (10th-16th) – details on our socials. The deadline is Friday 3rd March at 5pm. We look forward to hearing from you!!
