C21 Drama Series Script Competition opens

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.

For full details and to enter online, CLICK HERE.

The competition is produced in association with Studio21, WritersRoom and Script Angel, with a £10,000 prize and representation option for the winner, together with a host of other benefits.

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 this 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-the amplification of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, post-popularism, post-just about everything that impacted 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 likely use fewer locations, with a relatively small cast and crew, and no big crowd scenes.

From the pool of submissions, made between July 1 and September 30, a shortlist of 21 scripts will be selected. 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 attending Content London from digital platforms including Amazon, Netflix and Hulu and broadcasters such as ABC, the BBC, Channel 4, YLE and ZDF.

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

The winning writer will receive £10,000 from one of the world’s most progressive 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 it 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.