2000, Performing Arts Labs, New Writing for Family Audiences
Helen was one of 10 writers awarded a free place on this pilot residential lab for her children’s television proposal Junior Detectives. The lab was run by writing mentors Barbara Slade and Lee Pressman and directing mentor Alex Kirby, with a masterclass by acclaimed children’s director Andrzej Maleszka.
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1996, Carl Foreman Awards in association with BAFTA
Helen received a runner up prize for her feature length script The Hangman’s Daughter in the Fifth Annual Carl Foreman Awards. The awards were established in 1992 by the Eve and Carl Foreman Foundation to encourage scriptwriting talent under the age of 31. Since 1998, when fully inaugurated as a British Academy Award, the prize has been given to a British writer, director or producer for special achievement in their first feature film.
To learn more about the Carl Foreman Award click here
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1993, North West Arts Board/ The Prince’s Trust
Helen and Girls Up North were awarded grants towards production costs for her short film script Seen and Not Heard. This was the second time Helen had received money from The Prince’s Trust; in 1992 she was awarded a grant to buy her own personal computer and launch her writing career.
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