Jon Gilbert

https://www.jongilbert.co.uk/

After making several successful shorts as writer-director, Jon’s career as a screenwriter kickstarted when he was one of eight writers selected for the First Film Foundation’s ‘First Development’ scheme, during which he wrote his debut feature script The Sculptress and The Thief. The same script later placed third in the internationally-renowned Final Draft ‘Big Break’ contest, where judge Joel Schumacher described it as “original, fascinating, visual and full of surprises”.

Jon co-wrote the film adaptation of David Grossman’s novel The Zigzag Kid, starring Isabella Rossellini, which premiered at the 2012 Toronto Film Festival before screening at Berlin and numerous other festivals worldwide ahead of a European and U.S. release. The Zigzag Kid won various awards, including the Young Audience Prize at the 2013 European Film Academy and the Golden Elephant for Best Screenplay at the 18^th Indian Children’s Film Festival.

Over the past decade, Jon has developed scripts with various well-known production companies including Pulse Films, Bedlam, Big Talk and Agile, and has collaborated with new and established directors including Jaume Collet-Serra, Trudie Styler and Julius Amedume. His original feature film The London Odyssey of Vasile Belea, produced by Kristian Brodie (Beast), is currently in development with the BFI. Earlier this year, Jon wrote one episode of TEACHER, a brand-new four-part Channel Five drama created by Barunka O’Shaughnessy and starring Sheridan Smith.

In addition to his writing, Jon is a senior tutor at the MetFilm School and visiting tutor at institutions including the London Film School, City University and the London Film Academy. He is represented by Independent Talent in the U.K. and Elevate Entertainment and the Gersh Agency in the States.