Not long now until Christmas and as a gift to you, here is the final edition of The Write RoomĀ newsletter for 2020.
Sending you best wishes for a relaxing, yet inspirational, break ā as much as current circumstances will allow!
Here is what is the top of the tree, as far as we are concerned, when it comes to all things writingā¦
Documentary Call
Netflix has launched a Documentary Talent Fund open to anyone across the UK and will give ten filmmakers, and their teams, the chance to make a short documentary film with a budget of between Ā£20,000 and Ā£40,000 each. Each documentary must be between 8-12 minutes long and the brief for these fully funded short documentaries is Britainās Not Boring And Hereās A Story. The submission window runs from January 4-31. Further information is available here.
Competition for Radio Comedy
Independent comedy producerĀ PozzitiveĀ is looking to find fourĀ radio scripts for development. Funnydotcomp is open to single writers and teams, as well as to existing acts or writer/performer combos. The only criterion is that any submissions must be a 30 minute audio comedy script. Further information is availableĀ here. The deadline is January 10.
Fiction Podcasts Competition
Shore Scripts is seeking submissions for its 2020 Fiction Podcast Contest. Open until January 21, further information about the competition ā as well as how to adapt a script for another format for a podcast, visit their website.
Aspiring Scottish-based Screenwriters
Short CircuitĀ has launched Convergence, aĀ new film talent initiative accepting applications for a new programme aimed at Scotland-based aspiring screenwriters. A total of eight professional writers, filmmakers and creative practitioners from other mediums who are interested in moving into writing for screen will be selected to develop their screenwriting skills and industry knowledge with Script Consultant and Screenwriter David Pope through online development workshops, peer group discussions, masterclasses and 1-2-1 sessions. The deadline for applications is January 5. Further information is availableĀ here.
Call for Feature Film Ideas
NetflixĀ andĀ Imagine ImpactĀ are looking to develop new feature films across four genres, written by up-and-coming screenwriters. The deadline is January 3. More information is availableĀ here.
BAFTA Masterclasses and Q and Aās
BAFTAĀ is holding a series of virtual masterclasses and Q and Aās with directors, actors, and writers, in the first few weeks of 2021. You can find out more about these free events and sign up for sessions of your choiceĀ here.
Irish Crime Drama Competition
Sony Pictures Television and Stellify Media, in partnership with Northern Ireland Screen, are launching a brand-new All-Ireland screenwriting prize. They are looking for ideas for a maximum of six high-concept, contemporary, returnable crime drama projects, that can be filmed on the island of Ireland. The winning submissions will receive funded development to bring a project to pitching stage. Submissions are open here until January 15.
Still open for submissionsā¦
BBC Scriptroom
BBC WritersroomāsĀ annual window for accepting drama scripts is currently open for submission of unsolicited scripts, which can be written for TV, film, radio, stage or online platforms. Writers can enter their work anytime up until 5pm on January 6. Find out moreĀ here.
Emerging Playwrights
Bush TheatreĀ is seeking playwrights that tell contemporary stories with wit, style and passion. They want to hear voices and stories that reflect the diversity of contemporary society featured in plays that are both provocative and entertaining.Ā Full length plays (i.e. those running at 60 minutes or more) are accepted from writers based in the UK or Ireland up untilĀ January 10. More information on itsĀ website.
Mentoring Initiative for Kids TV
ScreenSkillsĀ and theĀ Childrenās TV CouncilĀ have launched a mentoring scheme for those with TV experience interested in working in kidsā telly. Open until January 4, you can find out moreĀ here.Ā
Prize for Authors
TheĀ Nine Dots PrizeĀ asks writers to respond to a question in 3,000 words, with the winner receiving $100,000 to write a short book expanding on their ideas. The question for 2020/21 is:Ā What does it mean to be young in an ageing world?. Entrants must submit their 3,000-word response, an outline structure for their proposed book, and a justification statement of their ability to complete the book within seven months. The deadline is January 18. Find out moreĀ here.
Writing for TV Awards
TheĀ TV Foundation, in association with theĀ Edinburgh TV Festival, is calling for emerging and established writers to enter itsĀ 2021 New Voice Awards. Information about the categories, which also includes producers, directors, presenters, (as well as companies and agencies), can be foundĀ here. The deadlines for applications for all categories is January 25.
And, if you hear of any interesting opportunities for writers, please do get in touch and we can circulate them forĀ FREEĀ to our growing community of budding and accomplished writers. Simply drop us an email using the button with āNewsletterāĀ in the subject line.
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