BAFTA/Ricky Darko One winner of the BAFTA Rocliffe Children’s Media Showcase will attend MIP Junior, supported by The London Book Fair
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), in partnership with Rocliffe, and supported by The London Book Fair, is calling for scripts from emerging writers of children’s media, for a chance to present their work to influential members of the film and television industries. Applications are now open at http://www.rocliffe.com/
The activity, which is taking place for a third year, is a special iteration of the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition, a long-running initiative which aims to give a platform to undiscovered screenwriters and help them to develop their careers. This year’s initiative also marks a new three year partnership with The London Book Fair.
Three successful writers will have extracts from their scripts performed by professional actors, and gain feedback from attending experts, at the Showcase at BAFTA’s headquarters, 195 Piccadilly in London, on Saturday 24 September. In addition to this, these finalists will also receive a full year’s access to BAFTA events and workshops, industry introductions and a bespoke career planning and profile building session to provide support in navigating the industry.
One of the writers will also receive an expenses-paid trip and full delegate pass to the MIP Junior international children’s programming market in Cannes in October, where they will receive extensive industry introductions and networking opportunities, organised by The London Book Fair.
British-based screenwriters are invited to submit scripts with a focus on content for children and families across a range of forms including feature film, single drama, mini-series, sitcom, comedy-drama and animation. The final deadline for submissions is Monday 18 July.
Entries will be assessed by a top industry jury including, Rosie Alison, Head of Development, Heyday Films; Kay Benbow, Controller, CBeebies; Eryk Casemiro, Chief Creative Officer, Zodiak; David Levine, VP, Programming, Production & Strategic Development, Disney Channels EMEA; Julie Lockhart, Locksmith Animation; Jamila Metran, Programme Manager , CiTV; Lucy Murphy, Head of Kids Content, Sky; Cheryl Taylor, Controller, CBBC; Sioned Wyn Roberts, Childrens and Learners Commissioner, S4; David Chikwe, Creative Director, Blacklisted Films and Alexi Wheeler, Senior Director of Animation Production and Development for Nickelodeon International.
The details of shortlisted entrants endorsed by more than four jurors will be published in the BAFTA Rocliffe Forum List, a new spotlight for screenwriting talent.
Helen Blakeman, BAFTA-winning screenwriter (Dustbin Baby) and Chair of the BAFTA Children’s Committee, said: “The BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition has become a key way for BAFTA to identify and inspire a wealth of emerging writers for children’s media – in turn helping to generate fresh ideas and creativity to such an already vibrant industry. We are proud to be contributing to the UK’s stellar reputation for quality children’s TV and film, and look forward to discovering and supporting yet another wave of new talent in the industry.”
Farah Abushwesha, Founder of Rocliffe, said: “This competition strand is quite unique in that it encourages new writers to explore new and younger audiences and story-telling in a very different way – the inventiveness and energy in the scripts are truly inspiring. I can’t wait to see what new voices we will uncover.”
Jacks Thomas, Director of The London Book Fair, said of their collaboration with the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition: “Over recent years, BAFTA, Rocliffe and The London Book Fair have partnered in bringing together the worlds of writing for children from page to screen. Renewing this important collaboration with BAFTA for another three years highlights our continued dedication to the UK’s booming creative industries and to discovering new voices. It’s fantastic to be involved in the inspirational BAFTA Rocliffe Children’s Media Showcase once again, and to offer our support by taking the prize’s winner to MIPJunior in Cannes this October. It’s a real privilege to see the variety of work from the UK's screenwriters and I look forward to seeing what this year’s showcase has to offer.”
Applicants must submit a ten page script extract and be available on Saturday 24 September for the Showcase at BAFTA, and from Saturday 15 to Sunday 16 October to attend MIP Junior in Cannes, France. For full application details, and terms and conditions, go to: http://www.rocliffe.com/
For further information, please contact:
Eleanor Pickering at BAFTA
T (0) 20 7292 5863
E [email protected]
Niyi Akeju at BAFTA
T (0) 20 7292 5865
E [email protected]
About BAFTA
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is an independent charity that supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public. In addition to its Awards ceremonies, BAFTA has a year-round programme of learning events and initiatives – featuring workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes – in the UK, USA and Asia; it offers unique access to the world’s most inspiring talent and connects with a global audience of all ages and backgrounds. BAFTA relies on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support its ongoing outreach work. To access the best creative minds in film, television and games production, visit www.bafta.org/guru. For more, visit www.bafta.org.
About Rocliffe
Rocliffe created a series of events, notably the New Writing Forums, now held at BAFTA and renamed the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition. It’s popular blog Farah’s Rocliffe Notes is now the Amazon best seller Rocliffe Notes – A Professional Approach for Screenwriters & Writer-Directors. Rocliffe is run by film producer Farah Abushwesha and a dedicated team of directors, composers, actors and casting directors Past featured writers include James Dormer, Jack Thorne, Josh Appignanesi and Claire Wilson. Rocliffe productions has produced a range of short form and feature content. www.rocliffe.com
About The London Book Fair (LBF)
The London Book Fair (LBF) is the global marketplace for rights negotiation and the sale and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels. Taking place every spring in the world’s publishing and cultural capital, it is a unique opportunity to explore, understand and capitalise on the innovations shaping the publishing world of the future. LBF brings you direct access to customers, content and emerging markets. LBF 2017, will take place from Tuesday 14-Thursday 16 March 2017, Olympia London. LBF’s London Book & Screen Week will run for the third year, with the book fair as the pivotal three day event within a seven day programme. For further information, please visit: www.londonbookfair.co.uk
