Live Industry Q&As

House of Create, founded and led by Dan Lowenstein, specializes in creating narrative-driven films and dance-based visuals. With over 15 years of experience as a film director, Dan excels in producing compelling projects focusing on movement, mental health, and human connection. Recent works include Desiderium, a charity film in collaboration with Chasing The Stigma, and KIN, which earned a nomination for Best Dance Film at the National Dance Awards. Alongside a dedicated team, Dan has directed acclaimed films such as Becoming Everything and Sweet Honey, recognized at global festivals for their artistic depth. Passionate about storytelling through movement, Dan continues to partner with dance companies, including Northern Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet, to create impactful films like EGO and The Burning Building. House of Create remains committed to developing innovative projects, including the upcoming feature Sins of Man. Dan has spent the last year working in vertical drama successfully completing 18 projects for platforms such as Reel Short (Pride & Prejudice), DramaBox (Mafia Obsession), Joy Reels (My Rookie Agent) currently number 6 in the world) He uses his feature and TV directing experience to keep the production value & work within the tight constraints of vertical drama schedules. Dan has gained a strong reputation within the vertical drama space and was dubbed ‘King of Vertical drama in UK’ by VerticalDramaLove a well know fan account for VD fans. Dan represents vertical drama in The Guardian newspaper and due to sit on the Vertical Drama Awards panel as a judge and expert. Book your seat and send us your questions for Dan to answer.

As a writer-director, our guest speaker this month focuses on crafting engaging narratives that blend mystery, romance, and comedy. Her debut short film premiered at Screamfest 2024, spotlighting her talent for creating compelling female-driven genre stories. Recognized among the top 10 for the Stowe Short Film inaugural grant, S. Riley Moneymaker has consistently ranked in the top 3% on Coverfly. A graduate of UC Santa Barbara with a BA in English Language and Literature, she combines expertise in entrepreneurship, film production, and account management to create innovative storytelling experiences. As a Member on the Board of Directors for the Dark and Stormy Film Festival and a member of Women in Film, this interview is sure to be engaging for novice screenwriters and filmmakers interested in learning from a true life story about one artist's compelling move from festival success to industry momentum. S. Riley Moneymaker says she is proud to champion the elevation of diverse voices in the industry. Currently in preproduction for two genre projects, including a vertical-format film slated for 2026, S. Riley Moneymaker says she is proud to champion diverse voices within the i dustry. Book your seat and send us your questions.

What we can guarantee is this: every Spotlight guest enters the room carrying years, sometimes decades, of hard-earned industry experience. Not theory. Not recycled internet advice. Real-world lessons forged through deadlines, rejection, breakthroughs, negotiations, contracts, productions, setbacks, audiences and success.

This is not a prerecorded masterclass sitting silently on a shelf.
This is a LIVE Zoom room where you can:

• Ask direct questions and receive real-time answers
• Hear honest stories the industry rarely shares publicly
• Discover how professionals solve creative and career problems under pressure
• Learn what actually helps projects move forward in today’s industry
• Gain insight into writing, pitching, directing, producing, networking, and surviving creatively
• Absorb the energy of ambitious writers, filmmakers, and storytellers gathered together in one space

Sometimes one answer changes everything.
A single insight can save months of confusion, unlock a stalled project, or completely reshape how you approach your creative future.

Whether you are an aspiring writer, emerging filmmaker, novelist, screenwriter, performer, creative entrepreneur, or simply passionate about powerful storytelling, these sessions are designed to place you closer to the heartbeat of the industry.

Bring your curiosity. Bring your questions. Pull up a seat beside creators from around the world.

Book your place now… or become a member and unlock access to every upcoming Spotlight session.

Step into an intimate live conversation with award-winning screenwriter, journalist, and storyteller Eleanor Veness for an evening exploring the emotional heart of modern storytelling.

Blending documentary realism with cinematic imagination, Eleanor’s work spans screenwriting, adaptation, journalism, and socially conscious narratives that resonate far beyond the screen. From winning at Cannes to developing powerful human-centred stories for contemporary audiences, she brings both creative insight and real-world industry experience into the room.

This session is ideal for writers, filmmakers, screen storytellers, journalists, and creatives seeking deeper understanding of emotionally driven storytelling, adapting real experiences into compelling scripts, finding authentic voice and perspective, festival pathways and industry visibility, and writing stories that connect on a human level

Expect practical insight, honest conversation, audience Q&A, and the rare opportunity to interact live with a professional actively shaping meaningful stories for today’s screen industries.

Book your seat, bring your questions, and join writers and creators from around the world inside the Spotlight audience.

Screen & Writer Spotlight returns with Jo Kenrick, an award-winning author, adaptation specialist, and BAFTA Rocliffe shortlisted screenwriter whose work bridges publishing, screenwriting, and emotionally driven storytelling. With more than 50 published books across multiple genres and years of experience crafting stories that connect deeply with audiences, Jo brings a rare insight into character, adaptation, pacing, and the realities of building a sustainable creative career. In this live Q&A session, we explore the journey from page to screen, what makes stories emotionally memorable, and how writers can strengthen their craft across novels, scripts, adaptations, and visual storytelling. Whether you are an aspiring screenwriter, novelist, filmmaker, playwright, or creative professional, this conversation offers practical insight alongside honest industry experience. Expect discussion around adaptation, screenwriting, publishing, storytelling structure, emotional truth, industry opportunities, and creating stories that stay with audiences long after the credits roll. Audience questions are welcomed throughout the session. Join us live at 7pm UK time on Monday 2 November as part of the ongoing Screen & Writer Spotlight interview series bringing writers, filmmakers, and storytellers directly into conversation with creatives who have built real careers in the industry.