Himalayan Literature Festival & Writers Workshop 2026
Malla Hotel
3 June 2026
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
The Himalayan Literature Festival & Writers Workshop 2026 is delighted to present a focused screenwriting workshop led by acclaimed filmmaker and screenwriter Peter Salisbury.
Screenwriting is a unique literary form shaped by the language of cinema—where images, sound, time, sequence, dialogue, and music combine to express what words alone cannot. Drawing on his extensive experience, Peter Salisbury explores how landscape and place can become powerful narrative forces within the scriptwriting process.
This workshop centers on the early, generative stages of writing, approaching the writer as a gatherer—attentive to the textures, details, and emotional resonance of a landscape. Participants will discover how a sense of place can inspire characters and how specific locations can serve as both factual grounding and imaginative springboards for a screenplay’s story world.
Open to both emerging and experienced writers interested in film, the session blends mini-lectures with hands-on exercises. Participants will engage with core elements of screenwriting—including visual storytelling, genre, setting, character, and dialogue—while developing a sequence of scenes inspired by a chosen location. The workshop concludes with a sharing of ideas and reflections.
By the end of the session, participants will have developed the foundation for a character and setting for a screenplay, along with a deeper understanding of how cultivating a sense of place can unlock new creative possibilities.
About the Facilitator
Peter Salisbury is a screenwriter and filmmaker with over twenty-five years of experience in cinematic storytelling. Originally from England, he studied drama and education at Edge Hill University and later film directing under Oscar-nominated director John Boorman at the Irish Film School.
His work as a cinematographer spans documentary and film-style productions for major broadcasters including BBC and Channel 4. He has also collaborated with leading Irish cultural institutions such as the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the National Library of Ireland.
Salisbury holds an MA in Screenwriting (with distinction) from Falmouth University, and his screenplays have received awards at international film festivals. He is a member of the Irish Film and Television Academy and the Asia Pacific Writers & Translators. He is also a podcast producer and collector of vintage film scripts, and lives in Dublin with his wife and their sheepdog, Sam.
Online Participation
A limited number of virtual seats are available for those who wish to join remotely.
To register or request more information:
hlfwwk2026@gmail.com
https://hlf.whitelotusbookshop.com/
