October 2, 2013

BBC World Service & British Council launches the  
2013 INTERNATIONAL RADIO PLAYWRITING COMPETITION  
with new co-producers The Open University and the additional Georgi Markov prize.   

The only global competition for radio playwrights is has opened for entries 1 October 2013, and to submit a script is free. The BBC World Service International Radio Playwriting Competition offers a unique opportunity for writers from all around the globe to use the immense power of radio drama to tell the stories that matter to a world audience. BBC World Service and the British Council run the competition in partnership with Commonwealth Writers.

Now in its 24th year, the International Radio Playwriting Competition is expanding to include an additional prize, the Georgi Markov award (1929-1978), in honour of the writer, broadcaster and World Service journalist. The new award is being presented in collaboration with new co-producers The Open University and honours the script from the shortlist which shows most promise.   

Neil Webb, Head of Theatre and Dance, British Council says “The British Council is pleased to again be working with the BBC and Commonwealth Writers and to welcome the Open University to the partnership this year. The Competition is an excellent way of sharing diverse opinions, viewpoints and values. It is also a perfect complement to our wider programme to develop new writing talent around the globe.”

Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Head of Broadcast Commissioning at The Open University says “The Open University is delighted to co-produce with the World Service this important and unique competition. Creative Writing has been part of the OU’s teaching and learning for a number of years and we are keen to encourage new talent nationally and internationally.”  

The competition has two first prizes – one for writers with English as a first language and one for writers with English as a second language. The winners of both awards will have their plays broadcast on BBC World Service. Their prize includes a trip to London to watch their plays being recorded, attendance at an award ceremony and £2,000. The winner of the new Georgi Markov prize will also come to London to be at this award ceremony and spend two weeks with BBC Radio Drama and BBC World Service.  

Steve Titherington, Senior Commissioner, BBC World Service says “This is the only competition of its kind in the world and entry is free. It’s a fantastic opportunity for writers around the globe to get their voices heard by one of the world’s biggest audiences. Drama that helps tell the story of our audiences around the world is what we seek to place at the heart of the World Service.”

The competition has helped launch the writing careers of many of its winners. Last year’s competition winner Angella Emurwon who won the English as a second language category says “Winning the 2012 Competition was a much needed boost to my confidence to continue to find and develop my voice as a writer and director.” Since winning in February she has co-directed Macbeth at the Ugandan National Theatre, and has begun to develop a new play. The competition has also taken Janet Morrison, winner of the English as a first language prize, in a whole new direction. She has now written her first stage play, and is working on a screenplay of her winning script, The Fisherman which will be broadcast again on 19 October on BBC World Service.

The judging panel will be announced in due course. Previous judges have included Dame Eileen Atkins, Doris Lessing, Roy Williams and Nina Wadia.

Lucy Hannah, Programme Manager, Commonwealth Foundation says “Commonwealth Writers is very excited to be associated with this year’s competition. We look forward to promoting the shortlisted and winning writers and to working with them to inspire less heard voices from across the globe.”

The playwriting competition welcomes scripts from anyone outside the UK, whether established or new writers. The dramas need to be 53 minutes long, but can be on any subject.

The closing date for entries is midnight GMT 31 January 2014.

Further details on the competition including how to enter are online at www.bbcworldservice.com/radioplay. Throughout the competition BBC World Service will be giving out advice on air for writers looking for inspiration. On social media tips for aspiring playwrights will tweeted via BBC World Service, British Council, Commonwealth Writers and The Open University. Social media users can look for playwritingcompetition on Facebook and join the conversation on Twitter at #bbcplay.

For further information please contact Zara Lee, BBC World Service Publicity on 44 (0)203 614 2941 zara.lee@bbc.co.uk

Further information:

The BBC attracts a weekly global audience of 256 million people to its international news services including BBC World Service, BBC World News television channel and www.bbc.com/news.

BBC World Service is an international multimedia broadcaster, delivering a wide range of language and regional services on radio, TV, online and via wireless handheld devices. It uses multiple platforms to reach its weekly audience of 192 million globally, including shortwave, AM, FM, digital satellite and cable channels. Its news sites include audio and video content and offer opportunities to join the global debate. BBC World Service offers its multilingual radio content to partner FM stations around the world and has numerous partnerships supplying content to news websites, mobile phones and other wireless handheld devices as well as TV channels. For more information, visit www.bbc.com/worldservice.

For further information about the competition visit www.bbcworldservice.com/radioplay  

The British Council creates international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and builds trust between them worldwide. We are a Royal Charter charity, established as the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. Our 7000 staff in over 100 countries work with thousands of professionals and policy makers and millions of young people every year through English, arts, education and society programmes. We earn over 75% of our annual turnover of nearly £700 million from services which customers pay for, education and development contracts we bid for and from partnerships. A UK Government grant provides the remaining 25%. We match every £1 of core public funding with over £3 earned in pursuit of our charitable purpose. www.britishcouncil.org/arts  

Commonwealth Writers is the cultural initiative of the Commonwealth Foundation. Commonwealth Writers inspires, develops and connects writers and storytellers in a range of disciplines. It builds communities of less-heard voices and links them to groups which seek to bring about social change. The Commonwealth Foundation is a development organisation with an international remit and reach, uniquely situated at the interface between government and civil society. www.commonwealthwriters.org  

The Open University (OU) works in partnership with the BBC to co-produce programmes, totalling around 30 learning journey* projects a year, across all BBC TV and radio channels. The BBC and The OU combine the best of both organisations’ resources and talents to reach the widest possible audience with innovative, exciting and inspiring content.

The partnership extends the 40 year relationship, cementing plans to continue the University’s ‘peak time’ presence across all BBC channels and to collaborate on further educational projects. The OU and BBC continues the evolution of the partnership from its early days as a means of broadcasting module programmes, to one of using television, radio and other technologies to inspire a wider general audience to participate in lifelong learning. www.open.edu/openlearn/playwrights  

*Learning journey means the educational journey that enhances and enriches the broadcast experience that the viewer takes after watching or listening to the programme.