C21 Drama Series Script Competition opens for entries!

The sixth edition of The C21 Drama Series Script Competition (#C21scriptcomp) is now open for entries, aiming to uncover contemporary dramas imagined for a post-2020 audience and marketplace.

The competition is produced in association with Studio21, WritersRoom and Script Angel. Screen Yorkshire is working with partners to help find writing talent in Yorkshire!

We are looking for six outstanding pilot episode scripts (for an internationally compelling drama series) to compete for an unrivalled prize presented during Content London in December (virtually or in person!).

And this year we are looking for ‘post 2020 dramas,’ with submission guidelines designed to uncover projects that will break through in the coming years.

So what does that mean? Platforms, channels and producers are looking for shows that meet a new audience appetite post-2020. This means subject and tone is more specific, and it is important that the shows are ‘makeable’ under future production guidelines.

Yes, but what does that mean? It means post COVID-19 pandemic, post #BlackLivesMatter, post popularism, post just about everything that came to a head in 2020.

We don’t want to be over-prescriptive, so do submit any drama you think would appeal to audiences in the new normal world, but bear in mind that the most attractive shows will most likely be unifying, escapist and positive. They will also most likely use fewer locations, with a relatively small cast and crew, and no big crowd scenes.

Please bear all these things in mind.

From the pool of submissions, made between 1 July 2020 and 30 September 2020, a shortlist of 21 scripts will be selected and from these six finalists will be chosen to present their script to the global drama business at Content London 2020, or through the Content London digital initiative, whichever the world allows!

This audience includes key commissioners from digital platforms including Amazon, Netflix and Hulu, to broadcasters from ABC, BBC and C4 to YLE, and ZDF, attending Content London.

Shortlisted entries will be announcedon 19 October 2020 and the six finalists will be announced on 30 October 2020.

The winning writer will receive £10,000 from one of the world’s most prolific fresh talent incubators, Studio21 to option the project and acquire the script. Studio21 will further develop the project in association with the writer to take out internationally. To find out more about Studio21 CLICK HERE.

Each finalist will also receive a free consultancy session from Script Angel.

*There is a £40 fee to enter, which is used to pay a team of professional script readers.

Don’t miss this opportunity to get your script in front of the world’s drama community! We are looking for original drama series with global appeal. Be part of the story.

Find out more and enter at: https://www.c21media.net/script/

Deadline for entries: 30 September 2020

Pitching my series to an audience of industry professionals at the Content London Summit was a privilege. Performing a live pitch is challenging, but the critique of the judges probed me to delve deeper into my story and identify the moments that surprise, intrigue and subvert expectations. The experience boosted my confidence as a writer and prepared me for impromptu elevator-pitches invited by attending producers and commissioners. I evolved as a writer by watching the other talented finalists, who became supportive allies, championing each other’s stories and sharing advice. C21 are exceptionally good at giving visibility to emerging writers and amplifying new voices. Winning the competition was a shock and has changed the course of my career. I am immensely grateful to David and Hayley at Studio 21 for the development opportunities I have since been afforded. I can’t recommend this competition enough for any writer keen to take the next steps into the industry.

Grace Link, Creator, Crack of Dawn