Studio21 2024 script competition bids to find newform drama
Date Posted: August 22, 2024
Studio21 International has opened its 2024 Script Competition with a mission to find a global scripted series that can be released scene-by-scene on digital and then stitched together to create a traditional longform drama for television.
The Studio21 Scene-By-Scene Script Competition is crafted to unearth compelling, contemporary stories that resonate with 21st-century audiences across multiple platforms. The Studio21 Scene-By-Scene Script Competition aims to find new projects from fresh writers that reinvent the scripted genre, with a view to bringing in new coproduction partners from digital platforms and brands, alongside traditional co-producers and broadcast partners.
While the competition is open to pilot scripts across all fiction genres, priority will be given to projects that:
- Explore progressive themes.
- Engage with the audience in new and innovative ways.
- Deliver scenes that each feel like a distinct shortform episode.
- Create hooks that make us want to watch the next scene-episode.
- Have a driving narrative across the pilot script that creates a satisfying longform episode.
- Can be produced on a reasonable budget.
Entries should be presented as a single script of 30-60 pages, with each scene clearly identified and have a run time of between 1-3 minutes.
The competition offers emerging writers a unique gateway into the global content industry. The winner will receive a £10,000 prize to option or acquire their script, along with an exclusive opportunity to connect with key players in the global drama business at C21Media’s Content London event in December.
The winning project will be developed by Studio21, with guidance from an advisory board comprised of leading showrunners and television executives.
Key Dates:
- The competition is open for entries until 18 September 2024.
- Shortlisted entries will be announced on October 11, 2024.
- The six finalists will be revealed on November 1, 2024.
Media Partners: The competition is supported by Northern Ireland Screen, C21Media, Content London, Script Angel, Screen Yorkshire, and The TV Collective.Org.
