Drama Queen Studios — Funding for Short Film to develop into Low Budget Feature
What's on offer
Actor-producers Agata Nielsen and Gregory Scott are seeking a writer for a feature film.
They will give the writer an opportunity to create a festival ready, short film proof of concept of up to 10 minutes as the first step towards the feature project.
Drama Queen Studios will fund a budget of up to £10K for the short film proof of concept.
They will bring practical production support through an established network of crew and equipment partners.
Once the short moves into pre-production, the goal is to develop a feature script ready to take into further funding conversations.
What they are looking for
A feature film script that can be paired with a 5–10 minute standalone short prequel or proof of concept.
The short should be planned to shoot in or just outside London.
Projects must be centred on two strong lead characters, written to showcase both Agata Nielsen and Gregory Scott in substantial roles.
Female Character should be sharp and determined with dry humour.
Male Character should be grounded and authoritative with underlying vulnerability.
Stories that are not built around Agata and Gregory playing an on-screen couple are preferred.
Original, surprising ideas across a wide range of genres, including psychological horror, psychological thriller, crime, romantic comedy and fantasy.
Psychological horror is a particular sweet spot, especially stories driven by tension, intelligence and twists rather than graphic violence.
Fresh concepts that avoid clichés and bring something innovative and new.
Darker tonal territory is especially welcome, and comedy should feel smart and character-led rather than broad.
Budget for the subsequent feature should be £100K –£200K
Writers with an existing script or concept that already fits this brief are especially encouraged, though collaborative development is also welcome.
A first draft is preferred, but a strong treatment will also be considered if the writer has a clear and confident visio
Who can apply
Writers at any experience level — selection will be based on the strength of the material.
Writers who want to stay involved through feature development are especially encouraged.
Submissions with or without attached producers or directors are welcome, particularly where collaborators already have a proven working relationship.
What you need to include in your SMASH Pitch
Your SMASH Snapshot must include at minimum:
Logline
Format; Genre; Setting; Runtime
Brief Biog of key creatives
Synopsis with all major plot points — set up; inciting incident; rising conflict; mid story twist; crisis; climax and resolution.
Creative vision
Visual references (poster/concept art optional)
Budget range
Cast ideas (that would work with your budget)
Comparables (recent TV or Film at your budget level that capture a similar feeling or energy)
Any projects submitted without this information will not be accepted.
How to Apply
Create your FREE SMASH Pitch at app.mysmash.media.
Build your Snapshot with the required elements above.
Hit 'Share Project' and select ‘Drama Queen Studios’ from the Call Out page.
Protect your IP
At SMASH, protecting your creative work is at the heart of everything we do. Every project uploaded to the platform is automatically timestamped and securely stored, giving you a verifiable digital record of ownership. Your pitch is only shared when you choose, and with the people you choose — ensuring your ideas remain yours, always. We call it Pitch Protection, and it's how we make sure creators can share their work with confidence, knowing their IP is safe and traceable.
Important Notes
It's FREE to create and submit a SMASH Pitch.
Questions? Contact: cupid@mysmash.media
About Drama Queen Studios
Drama Queen Studios is a London-based theatre and film production company creating original, festival-driven work across stage, screen, and immersive experiences. It develops bold, character-led stories from concept to finished production, blending theatre and film to build interconnected creative worlds. Founded with a fiercely independent spirit, the studio produces the projects it originates, but is also open to collaborating with other creatives and partners on ideas, development, and co‑productions that align with its artistic vision. dramaqueenstudios.co.uk
About My SMASH Media
SMASH is the pitch builder and pitch protector for creators. It helps you build a professional, shareable pitch deck that can be discovered by industry decision-makers. SMASH is free for creators. Upgrade to SMASHPro for SMASHCupid support & advanced tools to make your pitch perfect.