Kirsten Smith
Kirsten Smith

#Fleadh2016: Kirsten Smith to attend 28th Galway Film Fleadh for Screenwriting Masterclass

American screenwriter and novelist Kirsten Smith is set to attend the 28th Galway Film Fleadh to host a Screenwriting Masterclass at the festival.

Smith came to Hollywood’s attention as a screenwriter in 1997 when she sold her spec screenplay for 10 Things I Hate About You. The film, which is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew set in a modern American high school, starred a young Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

She followed this early success by co-writing Legally Blonde, a screen adaptation of Amanda Brown’s novel of the same name. The Reese Witherspoon-starring rom-com went on to be nominated for two Golden Globes, before spawning a sequel, and a successful stage play.

Further success came with Ella Enchanted, starring Anne Hathaway, and She’s the Man, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, starring Amanda Bynes. She has also transitioned into directing with the short film The Spleenectomy, starring Anna Faris.

The masterclass will address:

  • The art of comedy writing
  • Mining the classics for inspiration
  • Plants and payoffs
  • Polishing a scene
  • Creative collaboration

There will be an opportunity to ask questions of the guest writer.

The masterclass will be moderated by Mary Kate O Flanagan, screenwriter and script consultant. Mary Kate, along with her sister Rachel, has a story consultancy called A Dramatic Improvement. They work with producers and screenwriters across Europe and in Ireland, helping to shape their stories, for maximum impact on an audience. In 2015 Mary Kate became Ireland’s first Grand Slam Champion Storyteller at The Moth.

The masterclass costs €50 and will take place on Thursday the 7th of July from 10am – 1pm in the Radisson Hotel, Galway.

For further information or to apply for a place, contact Brónagh Keys at 091-562200 or email.

Age restriction: must be 18+ years of age.

The closing date for applications is: 1pm Friday – the 1st of July 2016.

The 28th Galway Film Fleadh runs July 5th to 10th, 2016. More information can be found on the official website, Facebook page, and Twitter.