Sykehouse International Film and Writers Conference. Report by Jared Cade

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the Sykehouse International Film and Writers Conference which took place on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 June at Owston Hall Hotel, a privately owned historic country house hotel and golf course near Doncaster in south Yorkshire.

The Sykehouse festival was set up by bestselling author and multiple-award-winning scriptwriter Samantha Lee Howe and her husband David to celebrate their love of film making, and to give a wider audience and recognition to the great work of independent filmmakers and scriptwriters world-wide. The two-day event saw screenings of films, author panels and interviews throughout the day. It was a great opportunity for writers and film makers to network over a drink or two in the bar.

I got to see some terrific films in the Marlborough Suite and my only regret is that I couldn't see them all. Tapped was a brilliant film featuring life on a London housing estate. If you ever get the chance to see it - DO! Other stand out films included The Black Rock, Visiting and Poor Tom.

The writers’ panels took place in the Chartwell Suite and I was on three panels which meant that - sadly - I couldn't see all the films. The first panel was called Crossing Boundaries: Blood vs Brains. Although my sleuths Lyle Revel and Hermione Bradbury use their brains to solve the mysteries I put before them, I cited Murder in Pelham Wood as essential reading for anyone who finds themselves trapped inside a psychopath's secret lair with nowhere to hide because it provides invaluable advice on how to escape. 

 

Caroline England, Colin Mardell, Victoria Dowd, Jackie Kabler,
Jared Cade and Moderator Tim Rideout.

                              

 The other two panels I was on were Cops vs Amateur Sleuths: The Race is On (give me amateurs any day) and Agatha Christie: The Legend. How Agatha Christie Influenced My Writing. Needless to say, I had a great time and got to meet up with some old friends and make new ones. Writers Byrony Pearce, Victoria Dowd, and Tim Rideout were all excellent moderators.

The Sykehouse Film and Writing Awards took place during a lavish gala dinner. It was 30 degrees outside, but happily the ballroom was air conditioned. I’m delighted to have won two awards - the bronze Noose Award for Best Crime Novel for my Lyle Revel and Hermione Bradbury mystery The Elusive Dietrich and the silver Silken Rope Award for Best Short Story for my stand-alone tale ‘Blue Mountains Tragedy.’ Everyone came away a winner owing to some terrific raffle prizes to which people donated generously. All proceeds went to IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services) and The Pink Ribbon Foundation (25 Year Anniversary).

 Photograph above is Jared Cade and Jackie Kabler

The staff were friendly and helpful, and I was surprised to see golfers hitting the golf course at six o’clock in the morning. A special thanks must go to Samantha and David Howe and their brilliant team for putting together such a terrific festival! I look forward to returning next year.  

The Sykehouse Film and Writers Festival
will take place on the weekend of
Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May 2026
 at the Holiday Inn, Doncaster, off A1 J36, DN4 9UX.
Guests of honour include
Antony Johnson, Sophie Hannah and Neil Marshall.
The event can be booked here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sykehouse-film-and-writers-festival-tickets-1379246636819