BBC World International Radio Playwriting Competition

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International Radio Playwriting Competition

Program(s) Offered: Play script writing
Program Level: Contest, Competition
Provider: BBC World Radio
Country to Work in: UK, Any country

Scholarship Description
Would you like to win £2,200 sterling, a trip to London and have your play broadcast across the world on BBC World Service? If so, the 2018 International Radio Playwriting Competition is now open to entries!

This global competition, hosted by BBC World Service and the British Council, in partnership with co-producers The Open University, offers the unique opportunity for playwrights to use the medium of radio drama to reach an international audience.

This year the two first prizes can come from either the English As A First Language or the English As A Second Language category. A third award – the Georgi Markov prize – celebrates the most promising script from the competition’s shortlist, in honour of BBC World Service journalist and writer Georgi Markov (1929-1978). 

Eligibility
The competition is open to new and established writers, provided they live outside the UK and are 18 or over.

Anyone aged 18 or over and living outside the UK – whether you’re an established writer, completely new or anywhere in between.

Eligible groups
The last competition attracted entries from a record 112 countries, with Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Brazil, Canada, Nigeria, India, Australia, South Africa, Jamaica and the USA being on the shortlist. 

Fields of study
Radio is a wonderful medium. Read our tips and think in sound! Your potential audience on BBC World Service is huge – 77 million people around the world.

What story might they like to hear? What new world can you introduce them to? Tell us stories with imagination and passion. Find your voice and use your voice. We’d love to hear from you. 

Number of awards
There are three prizes to be won

Scholarship benefits
Two first prizes – for the best radio plays by writers with either English as their first language or English as their second language. Both winners’ plays will be broadcast on BBC World Service.

In addition, there’s the Georgi Markov prize - for the most promising script, this prize gives the winner a chance to come to London for two weeks and work alongside, being mentored by, BBC Radio Drama and with BBC World Service journalists.

Method of Application
In order to enter you need to send:

• A script for a 53 minute radio play with up to 6 central characters - we are unable to return these, so make sure you keep a copy
• A synopsis which outlines your play is no longer than 400 words
• A completed entry form (here), attached to your play and synopsis.

Or you can complete and submit your entry online (here) by uploading your play and synopsis along with your personal details.

It is important to read all the Terms and Conditions before you enter.

DEADLINES:
The competition is open from 3 October 2017 to 31 January 2018

PLEASE NOTE:
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster with its headquarters at Broadcasting House in London. The BBC is the world's oldest national broadcasting organisation and the largest broadcaster in the world by number of employees. The International Radio Playwriting Competition is run by the BBC World Service and the British Council and co-produced by The Open University.

Application Deadline: 31 January 2018
Open to International Applicants: Yes

More Scholarship Information and Application