Paul Kalburgi is a British screenwriter and playwright. He received his MA (Writing for Screen & Stage) from the School of Drama, Film & Media at Regent's University, London, where he graduated with distinction and was awarded the Postgraduate Student Prize. He also studied Story Analysis for Film through the Writer's Program at UCLA.
His screenwriting credits include Clint Eastwood: Hollywood Outlaw (featuring Kevin Bacon and Ryan Phillippe, REELZ Channel, USA), Shortland Street (TVNZ, New Zealand), The Price of Fame (REELZ Channel, USA / Channel 5, UK), and Healing (Revelation TV, UK – Winner, Concrete Dream Film Festival, Los Angeles). He has also written two TV movies (romantic comedies) for Reel One Entertainment.
As a producer, Paul has worked on programs for a variety of networks in the UK and USA since 2007, covering genres such as celebrity/reality, docudrama, documentary, lifestyle, factual entertainment, and local news.
Select playwriting credits include Broadway or Bust (Bath House Cultural Center, Dallas), In The Tall Grass (Bishop Arts Theatre Center, Dallas – Winner ‘Outstanding New Play’ DFW Theater Critics Forum, 2018), Maxine (Stockwell Playhouse, London and Times Square Art Center, New York), Almost The Birthday Party (Etcetera Theatre, London), and staged readings and an audio production of The Countess (Blue Elephant Theatre, London).
An experienced teaching artist and writing coach, Paul facilitates screenwriting and playwriting courses and workshops internationally. His book, The Writer's Toolkit: Exercises, Techniques, and Ideas for Playwrights and Screenwriters, is published by Nick Hern Books, London. Paul has also written features for Script Magazine, The Dramatist, and Sardines Magazine.
Paul is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild of America. He currently serves as the UK Ambassador - strengthening relationships between dramatists living and working internationally, promoting cultural exchange and creative partnerships.
BIO
ARTISTIC STATEMENT
Stories that dance with whimsy and pathos
My work for stage and screen is a playful, often absurd exploration of the human experience. Blending heart and social commentary, I craft narratives that challenge, entertain, and inspire. With a particular focus on LGBT perspectives and the meta-theatrical, I aim to provoke thought and empathy. My work invites audiences to question their world while always delivering an engaging and entertaining experience.
2021 - Story Analysis for film
Writers Program at UCLA
2015 - MA Writing for Screen & Stage (distinction)
School of Drama, Film & Media
Regent's University, London
2020 - The Writer's Toolkit (book)
Nick Hern Books, UK
2017 - Almost The Birthday Party (play text)
Lazy Bee Scripts, UK
Features contributor for:
Script Magazine, The Dramatist, Sardines Magazine
Tea Magazine
2022 - Robert Lord Writers Cottage
Dunedin, New Zealand
WRITING JOURNEY
Education
Published Works
Residencies
Awards & Recognition
Finalist - Adam NZ Play Award, 2024 (We'll Always Have Paris)
Finalist - Storieroad, Catalyst Story Institute, Duluth, MN, 2021 (Second Time Around)
Nominee - Outstanding New Work, 21st Annual Column Awards, Dallas, TX, 2020 (Broadway or Bust)
Winner - Best Play, Alex Drummond Trophy, SCDA, Scotland, 2019 (Almost The Birthday Party)
Winner - Best Original Score, Concrete Dream Film Festival, Los Angeles, CA, 2018 (Healing)
Finalist - Best Original Score, Los Angeles CineFest, Los Angeles, CA, 2018 (Healing)
Winner - Outstanding New Play, DFW Theater Critics Forum, Dallas, TX, 2018 (In the Tall Grass)
Nominee - Best New Play, Irma P. Hall Theater Awards, Dallas, TX, 2018 (In the Tall Grass)
Finalist - 33rd One-Act Festival, Stockwell Playhouse, London, 2017 (Maxine)
Finalist - Best New Play, Birdhouse Theatre, Milledgeville, GA, 2016 (Maxine)
Winner - Postgraduate Student Prize, MA Program at Regents University, London, UK, 2015