Fiona Birkbeck is a screenwriter, filmmaker, content generator, designer maker and digital artist but whatever she does her work is all about ideas. Fiona has a background in television producing, directing and programme development in London so is used to finding innovative ways to attract an audience. She works across a number of creative disciplines.
Fiona directed one of the UK Film Council/Northern Film and Media digital short films, Rebound, with Gavin and Stacey’s Ruth Jones as the lead. The film also starred Billy Elliot, The Musical’s Joe Caffrey. Rebound was selected by the BBC and the Arts Council to be shown at Glastonbury Festival two years running along with her latest short.
Fiona won the ten thousand pound development prize in the Northern Film and Media/Gateshead feature film screenwriting competition. Previously she was one of two winners for the North East of the UK Film Council’s script initiative to find new feature film writer voices around the UK. She was also one of only eight writers chosen from the UK on Arista Development’s fast track programme for screenwriters, Adept 3. The fully-funded programme included mentoring, intensive script development in London and Italy and attendance at festivals including Cannes and Rotterdam, etc.
Before moving into screenwriting Fiona was originally a producer/director/development producer in television documentaries in London. She did Phil Parker’s prestigeous screenwriting MA at the London College of Printing. She also went to Film School, Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design where she produced two documentaries for Channel 4, one filmed in and around the Pine Ridge native American Indian reservation in South Dakota. Just after leaving she produced a BBC 10 x 10 drama, Physics For Fish for Simon Beaufoy and Bille Eltringham. When Fiona took part in the Northern Net Four Four Film Challenge competing against filmmakers from across the North her film was given a special mention by the judges and was praised by Northern Film and Media. Fiona also completed another short shot on the Red camera which she wrote and directed.
To indulge her passion for music and festiivals Fiona is also a DJ. Inspired by Jim’s music production role they have a music related Multiminded spin off – Multiminded Music. In addition to producing club visuals, etc. they have have had a number of DJ residencies and produce various themed music events. They also DJ’d at Lindisfarne Festival for the past four years.
Fiona is a voting member of BAFTA.
If you’d like to get in touch you can email Fiona or telephone +447782476654.