British Council is once again joining with the BBC World Service to launch our International Radio Playwriting Competition 2011. The competition is now in its 22nd year and has been incredibly successful in enabling voices from around the world to be heard.

About the Competition

Applicants are invited to write a radio play of approximately 60 minutes in length, on a subject of their choice. The play must be the original, unpublished work of the person or persons submitting it.

The competition is open to any writer who is not normally a resident of the United Kingdom. The play must be written in English but can be translated by a third party (we are not able to offer any assistance with translation costs) Translated work must be identified as such, and the translator must be credited. The complete set of rules are given on the application form attached to this email.

Prizes

There are two main prizes given: to the best play written in English as a first language and to the best play written in English as a second language. The two prize winners will each receive £2500 sterling and a trip to London to see their plays being recorded and to attend a prize-giving evening. There are also additional prizes of digital or short wave radios being given for the best radio play to be written from each of the following geographical areas: The Americas; Europe; Africa and the Middle East; South Asia; Russia and the Caucasus; Asia and Pacific. All writers whose plays reach the judges' final shortlist will receive BBC goodie bags.

Competition launch overseas

The competition will officially launch on 16 October 2010, and the closing date for applications will be Thursday 31st March 2011.   Submissions and application forms can be emailed to radioplay@bbc.co.uk  

Local British Council offices globally are also listed as a point of call for applicants, and applicants can use local BC offices for information on the competition and to submit their application forms and plays.

Application forms will be available to download from:
www.bbcworldservice.com/radioplay
www.britishcouncil.org/arts