Mammoth Screen has partnered with BBC Writersroom and BBC Drama Commissioning to search for the most exciting writers with a strong connection to Northern Ireland to develop bold, original drama and comedy-drama television series for BBC network broadcast.

The scheme will give up to 4 writers the opportunity to be paid to develop an original series idea with Mammoth Screen, and one writer will subsequently be selected for a pilot script commission.

This opportunity is open to emerging and established writers who can represent the culture of Northern Ireland with authenticity (for example you may be from, or have lived or worked in Northern Ireland). Writers must be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the ethos and diverse characters of Northern Ireland and be confident that they can deliver authentic dialogue and relevant Northern Irish stories in a fresh and original way.

ELIGIBILITY

• Writers must have at least ONE professionally produced script, minimum of 15’ in length, in television, radio, theatre or film. Prose work is ineligible and will not be accepted.
• Writers are asked to submit:
  • an original drama or comedy-drama writing sample at least 30 pages in length
  • a pitch (max 2 pages) outlining a potential series or serial idea for BBC One, BBC Two or BBC Three
  • a one page writing CV to include a short personal statement
  • The pitch needs to be a different idea from the writing sample. The pitch should be as distinctive as possible, bearing in mind the current, competitive TV landscape in the UK and abroad. Please bear in mind that this scheme is seeking ideas that reflect Northern Irish life or are connected in some way to Northern Ireland.
  • WRITING SAMPLE AND ORIGINAL SERIES IDEA?
    Your sample script should be the best showcase of your writing talent. This script should not be related to the original series that you want to pitch if selected, but ideally has tonal similarities to your series idea. We are looking for unique, well-crafted scripts that give us something that we haven’t seen before.

• Writers must not have an original idea in development (beyond treatment stage) on the BBC Drama Commissioning slate, or already have had an original series broadcast by the BBC.
• Writers in development outside the BBC are eligible to apply.
• Writers must demonstrate a burning desire to write television drama. Submissions will be assessed on the strength of the writing and the originality of the pitch.
• Applicants must be resident in the UK or Ireland and aged 18 at the time of application.
• Submissions must be the writer’s original work, and may not be based wholly or in part, on the work of any other person, whether known, published, produced, or not (i.e. no adaptations).
• As well as individual writers, writing partnerships of two (max) may enter. Both the pitch and the writing sample submitted must be written by the partnership.

Deadline 

12 noon on Thursday 25 February 2021.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities/mammoth-screen-ni-writers-award-2021