Film and drama

The best film and drama can change our understanding of the world and of ourselves. It can change our opinions, surprise, provoke and inspire us. We want to encourage curiosity in writers and producers about how research affects the world we live in and what it means to be human in a culture of constant scientific advance.

Initiatives

Wellcome Trust Screenwriting Prize A prestigious prize awarded to a writer of exceptional talent. The award includes a tailored collection of experiences and access to some of the most exciting scientific and historical research in the world.

Drama workshops We run workshops to bring scientists together with writers and producers of drama. The idea is to immerse everyone in science and drama and to emerge with new relationships, energy and ideas for further development.

Ideas and brokering relationships We are often approached by writers and production companies with fresh new ideas that tell a scientific story.  Because we have a huge range of experts on our books and fund specialised research globally, we can help to broker relationships with scientists and institutions and support the best ideas with the greatest chance of making it to screen.

Funding showcase

Development award Spanish Flu: The Forgotten Fallen This BBC Four drama, based on real accounts held at Wellcome Library, helps unravel the story of how one doctor tried to protect Manchester from the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic.

People award Love at First Sight This short film, which made the Oscar shortlist, tells the story of a day in the life of 70-year-old Arthur, who falls in love with the 'new' resident in his care home, a beautiful woman called Ruth.

Co-production Award Electricity Currently in production, this feature film is based on the novel of the same name. The story follows Lily O'Connor, a witty, sexy and defiant Northerner with temporal lobe epilepsy as she risks her life to go in search of her long-lost brother.