The first international Screenwtiters Festival officiallylaunches tomorrow night (Tuesday) in Cheltenham, the location for the June event.

The town in the English Cotswolds is already home to amajor literary festival and has strong writing and film links.

The launch takes place in the town's own film studiosand will include writers and business and public supporters.

The festival, from June 27 to July 1, is supported bya number of high-profile patrons and supporters, including Jimmy McGovern, JulianFellowes.

"This is a really exciting project, great news for the whole industry and great news in particular for Cheltenham and its business community Festival Director," said David Pearson of Arturi Films.

"We're planning a really ambitious programme of events for the June festival, including a New Writers' Day aimed at attracting emerging new talent and giving established talent a place to meet and hear other writers and producers experiences."

At the recent London launch, successful writer Bill Nicholson gave the keynote speech - his own wry look at making it in Hollywood. See below for the full address.."

For more go to www.screenwritersfestival.com.