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]
