About Me

H​​​​​​​​​​ello, and welcome to my site! I’m Paula McCool, a screenwriter based in the Liverpool City Region of the UK. Please feel free to get in touch with any enquiries.

My first short screenplay, Durning Road, is a drama set in Liverpool in 1940 during the Second World War.

Durning Road has won more than 30 top-tier awards at international film festivals to date, including a Special Jury REMI Award at Houston WorldFest, a distinction previously shared by cinematic legends including Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, Ridley Scott and David Lynch.

At Houston WorldFest, Durning Road also scored over 95%, achieving an A+ and a rating higher than Platinum.

I have now either won or been nominated at BAFTA, BIFA and Canadian Screen Award qualifying film festivals.

My second short screenplay, Béatrice, the Lady, is a psychological thriller set in the Scottish Highlands in 1560. Béatrice, the Lady was completed in September 2026, with film festival results pending.

I began writing screenplays in 2025 and am currently undertaking a Master’s degree in Writing for Script and Screen at Falmouth University, which I will complete in 2027. Read my Falmouth University interview.

I also hold an Honours degree in Literature, Life and Thought from Liverpool John Moores University.

Alongside my academic studies, I continually develop my craft through participation in local writing groups, including Shakespeare North, where I work on new ideas.

I’m keen to connect with fellow filmmakers and contribute to the sector with scripts for both film and television.