Submissions are now open for the Popcorn Writing Award 2024, run by the Popcorn Group in partnership with BBC Writers, a prize fund of £6,000 that goes directly to the writers.
The Award champions writing that displays imagination, nuance and bravery
Set up in 2019 by the Popcorn Group, a film and theatre production company, the Popcorn Writing Award champions brave and imaginative writing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe which playfully and artistically addresses current affairs, questions societal trends and contributes positively to public debate.
Popcorn Group’s founder, filmmaker Charlotte Colbert, says, “It’s wonderful to be back in Edinburgh with BBC Writers for this year’s Popcorn Writing Award. The Fringe is all about new writing, taking risks, being bold and being able to fail. It’s an inclusive, imaginative, creative and unbelievably inspiring festival and gathering”.
Jess Loveland, Head of New Writing for BBC Drama and BBC Writers says, "BBC Writers is delighted that our valuable partnership with the Popcorn Group continues to grow and thrive. In this third year as partners on The Award, we are looking forward to seeing the best new writing that the Fringe has to offer. The Award champions writing that displays imagination, nuance and bravery and we are excited to see which writers will make it to this year’s shortlist”.
Past winners and finalists have gone on to be commissioned by major broadcasters in television and in film, been accepted onto BBC Writers programmes and have enjoyed both London and New York transfers of their work. These include Bryony Kimmings who went on to pen Last Christmas with Emma Thompson, Karim Khan now in writers’ rooms with Riz Ahmed, and Sabrina Ali who won last year with her play Dugsi Dayz.
Sabrina Ali says, “Winning the Popcorn Award leaves me truly speechless. I never imagined I’d beat the Edinburgh Fringe, let alone accepting the Popcorn Award. Dugsi Dayz is currently enjoying a transfer run at the Royal Court as part of David Byrne’s inaugural season as Artistic Director”.
The best new writing is selected by an eminent and diverse committee formed by the Popcorn Group and the BBC Writers team. Notable past award committee members include Golden Globe winner Ruth Wilson, Tony winner Enda Walsh, Oscar winner Gonzalo Maza and BAFTA winner Wunmi Mosaku.
Eligibility
The play must be:
1. A piece of new writing which has not had a significant run (no more than 7 performances) before the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe.
2. A piece being staged during the Fringe at one of the partnering venues: Assembly, Gilded Balloon, Greenside, Pleasance, theSpaceUK, Summerhall (including Roundabout), Traverse, Underbelly and ZOO.
Submissions
The play must be submitted to the programming team at the performance venue. It must include a cover sheet headed “Popcorn Writing Award 2024" that contains the title of the play, the writer’s name, the venue’s name, a 10-15 word tagline and a 50-word summary of the play.
Closing Date
Submissions will be accepted until 1000 on 21 June.
