David Higham Associates
Agency, United KingdomQuery letters only
A major London agency whose scripts desk reads cold emails. One agent at a time, letter and CV only.
The door
Query letters only
A cover email and writing CV to one named agent, electronically. Samples only if that agent asks. Six weeks of silence means no.
Submissions go by email via their submissions page ↗.
Six weeks for scripts, stated on the scripts section itself. The twelve-week figure elsewhere on their site belongs to the book departments and does not apply to screen.
Door state checked against their official pages 5 Oct 2026.
What they're looking for
- Formats
- Feature, TV Pilot
- Takes approaches from
- Worldwide
How to approach
Their submissions page is split by department, and the Scripts section is the one that covers film, television and stage. Pick one agent from their Film, TV and Stage team, read their page, and email that agent alone. They ask you not to email more than one at a time, and they mean it.
Send a cover email saying why you are seeking representation, plus your writing CV. Nothing else. They cannot consider synopses or incomplete scripts, and samples are requested only if an agent wants to go further.
If a producer, development executive, course tutor or one of their own clients pointed you at them, say so by name in the email. A referral is not required here, which is unusual, but it is explicitly welcomed and it is the one thing that lifts a cold email.
The PreList verdict
Who this is for: unrepresented screenwriters with a finished script and a reason to name one particular agent. This is one of the better cold doors in the directory, because the referral is optional rather than compulsory and the six-week rule tells you when to stop waiting.
Who should skip it: writers with a synopsis or a half-finished draft. They rule both out by name, and the request for samples only comes after the letter works, so there is no point approaching before the script exists.
Dylian Salvatore, Founder of The PreList. Updated 12 Oct 2026
Frequently asked questions
Does David Higham Associates accept unsolicited screenwriters?
Yes, as a query. Email one named agent with a cover email and your writing CV. They will request samples of your work only if they want to take it further.
Do I need a referral for David Higham Associates?
No. They invite you to name a referrer if you have one, from a producer, development executive, course tutor or one of their clients, but the scripts route does not require it.
How long does David Higham take to reply about scripts?
Six weeks. If you have not heard by then, they ask you to assume they cannot offer representation.
Getting ready to approach David Higham Associates?
Every door here reads to reject. The PreList gives your script a full read first: coverage across 11 metrics, formatting and completeness checks, and a rewrite room to act on the notes before anything reaches a submissions inbox.
More doors worth knowing
All agencies & managers
Dench Arnold Agency
Agency, United Kingdom
Closed to unsolicited work
Their writers list was full at the last check. The same page opens by saying they are open to submissions, so read the writers line as the specific one.
A London screen agency whose writers list was full at the last check, though its submissions page also reads as open.
FeatureTV Pilot
Checked 11 days ago
Echo Lake Entertainment
Management company, United States
Closed to unsolicited work
Their contact page states unsolicited material is deleted without review.
A Los Angeles management and production company whose door opens by referral, not by submissions inbox.
Checked 52 days ago
Energy Entertainment
Management company, United States
Query letters only
They invite a query through the company contact route, and say they reply only to projects of interest.
A Los Angeles literary management and production company that invites queries and answers only what interests it.
FeatureTV Pilot
Checked 11 days ago
Vertigo Films
Production company, United Kingdom
Closed to unsolicited work
Their contact page states they do not accept unsolicited script or treatment submissions.
A British film and television production company. No unsolicited scripts or treatments.
Checked 11 days ago
Warp Films
Production company, United Kingdom
Closed to unsolicited work
A single line on their site states they do not accept unsolicited submissions.
An independent British company with a distinctive film and television slate. No unsolicited submissions.
FeatureTV PilotDramaComedy
Checked 52 days ago
Wild Mercury Productions
Production company, United Kingdom
Via representation only
Only material sent in through a recognised agent is read.
A British drama company with an unusually explicit appetite for risk-taking work. Agent submissions only.
TV PilotDrama
Checked 52 days ago