Writers from around the world are invited to submit their scripts for the BBC’s 28th International Radio Playwriting Competition, which is now open for entries from writers outside the United Kingdom.
The deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday 12th February 2023.
The global competition, which is hosted by BBC World Service and the British Council, offers the unique opportunity for writers from outside the UK to use the medium of audio drama to tell stories for an international audience.
The BBC is looking for entries in 2 categories: (1) English as a First Language, and (2) English as a Second Language. The two 1st prizes can come from either category.
Benefits: The Cash Prize and the Trip
o “The Cash Prize”: £2,500 sterling (or the equivalent in a local currency at the BBC’s discretion)
o “The Trip”: a trip to London (standard airfare and accommodation for one person) to see the winning play being recorded and attend a prize-giving event.
Eligibility Criteria
o Entry is open to anyone:
a) over the age of 18, and
b) not considered to be a resident of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or
c) Professional and previously published writers are eligible to enter, but this is not an essential requirement of entry.
o Entrants must not be BBC, BBC Group company, or British Council employees, close relatives of such employees or any person connected to the competition. Proof of age, identity and eligibility may be requested.
o Entrants should write a radio play of approximately fifty three minutes’ length on any subject of their choice.
o The entrants warrant, by submitting plays, that each play:
1. Is the original work of the entrant.
2. Is not an adaptation of an earlier work (for example, a novel).
3. Will not have been professionally produced in any medium (an informal play-reading is acceptable; a play-reading with a professional director and in front of a non-paying audience is acceptable, but a performance involving payment to actors and/or a paying audience is not) before 31 March 2024
4. Will not have been offered for publication, performance or broadcast or produced in any other form or medium to any other person or company before 31 March 2024, and will not have been entered for any other competition before 31 March 2024.
o There are two categories for entry. One is for entrants who speak English as a first language, and the other is for entrants with English as a second language. The BBC may require proof of eligibility for the selected category before announcing a winner. For translated entries, it is the responsibility of the entrant to ensure that the translated script fully complies with these rules and entry requirements, and the entrant must have the right to enter into a contract on the translator or translators’ behalf. No additional payment can be made by the BBC for translations.
o Entrants can enter individually or as part of a group. If entering as a group, all entrants must meet the entry requirements and be eligible for the same category. No member should have also entered individually. Please note, the prize only includes payment for one airfare per category.
o Only one entry per person is permitted including any group entries. If you submit more than one entry, only the first entry received will be considered. Please do not submit plays you have entered before.
o All entries must be the original work of the entrant and must not infringe the rights of any other party. The BBC accepts no liability if entrants ignore these rules and entrants agree to fully indemnify the BBC against any claims by any third party arising from any breach of these rules.
Further information is available on the BBC World Service website.
