James Schamus, CEO of Focus Features (Milk , Lost in Translation, Brokeback Mountain), the versatile figure who has run a studio, produced many noted films, and taught at Columbia University, as well as writing and producing leading director Ang Lee’s films ( Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Lust, Caution, & Taking Woodstock) is joining the line up of the International Screenwriters’ Festival 26-29th October in Cheltenham, UK. James Schamus will explain, “Why screenwriting is more important to the porn industry than it is to the Hollywood studios — and he won’t be kidding”.

SWF Festival Director David Pearson also announced other high profile additions to the confirmed and lively programme: Simon Beaufoy, Oscar winning screenwriter Slumdog Millionaire who will discuss the shifts of projects and power in the development process to screen with Peter Bloore UEA lecturer and creativity expert, Christine Langan, Creative Director of BBC Films on getting an eclectic slate , and sales agent Samantha Horley MD Salt who will take part in a panel session of sales agents on What Films Make Money. Previously announced speakers for October include: writer and director Armando Iannucci In The Loop , Ben Stephenson Head of BBC Fiction BBC, Tessa Ross Head of Film4 and Executive Producer Slumdog Millionaire, Ashley Pharoah Life On Mars, Doug Chamberlin Toy Story 2, and Catherine Johnson Mama Mia with more to follow. You can see a full list at http://www.screenwritersfestival.com/guest-speakers.php Producers participating now agreed include: BBC Films, Warner Brothers, DNA, Aardman, Optimum Releasing, Kudos, Company Pictures, Big Talk, Slingshot, Warp X, Origin Pictures, Artists Studio, Film4, Mammoth Screen, FAME, Film Agency Wales, and Scottish Screen, with more to announce soon.

Pearson said that he was,” thrilled that James Schamus, a leading creative and business figure in the world industry was joining writers, producers and directors at SWF who are discussing ways through the tough current market and how we best make successful films- and he is speaking in such good company with our other fantastic speakers”. The festival programme, with a Script Market, Speed Dating and Pitch Sessions, includes most of the main commissioning companies in British film and TV, and many of their key figures. 500-600 delegates attend SWF annually from some 12-15 countries. Celebrating and promoting the art, craft and business of scriptwriting, SWF provides a buzzing atmosphere where writers can connect with directors, producers, agents, development execs, financiers and commissioners. It is a meeting place for screen storytellers in film and television, and digital/online/gaming with screenings, seminars, keynote speeches, networking and workshops. Sponsors include: UKFC, BBC, Channel 4, Sky One, South West Screen, Wiggin, Cheltenham Council, Coutts, Arturi Films, Gloucestershire County Council etc and the media sponsor is Screen International.

Previously speakers at SWF have included: Oscar winners Julian Fellowes Young Victoria & Gosford Park, and Christopher Hampton Atonement, Ronald Harwood The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and The Pianist, fantasy demi-god and Discworld novelist Terry Pratchett, directors Stephen Frears The Queen , Guillermo Del Toro Pan’s Labyrinth and Hell Boy II, Mike Leigh Happy go Lucky & Vera Drake, writer and director Peter Kosminsky The Government Inspector & Britz, Oscar nominee writer and playwright David Hare The Hours & The Reader, Kay Mellor The Chase & Fat Friends; Tony Jordan Hustle & Moving Wallpaper; Michael Goldenberg Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix, Deborah Moggach ‘Pride and Prejudice’; Inspector’ & ‘Britz’; producers Kevin Loader ‘Brideshead Revisited’ & ‘History Boys’; Stephen Woolley ‘The Crying Game’ & ‘How to Lose Friends and Alienate People’; as well as Head of BBC Fiction Jane Tranter, Head of ITV Drama Laura Mackie; and actors Nigel Planer and Riz Ahmed. The Chair of the SWF Board of Directors is Kevin Loader (producer Nowhere Boy, Venus, History Boys, In The Loop).

Tickets for the Festival are available here.