The fourth International Screenwriters' Festival will launch tomorrow with guest speakers including David Thompson, executive producer of Revolutionary Road andscreenwriter Olivia Hetreed, who adapted Girl With A Pearl Earring.

The launch will take place at Channel 4's headquarters in London. The speakers will cover issues such as managing the potentially uneasy relationship between directors and writers and getting scripts made.

The festival itself will take place from October 26-29 at the new venue of Cheltenham ladies college school in the Cotswolds town.

Last year more than 600 delegates from 15 countries attended the event which is supported by Screen International. Other sponsors include South West Screen, Cheltenham Council, Sky, BBC Films, the UK Film Council, and Channel 4.

Commenting on the continued success of the festival David Pearson, festival director, said: 'The festival has shown that there is a need and an appetite for a welcoming, open forum for screen storytelling for those in the industry, those who want to enter the industry and everyone who likes a good screen story.'