The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and Rocliffe have put out their final call for scripts from emerging comedy screenwriters for two BAFTA Rocliffe New Comedy Showcase events. The successful writers will showcase their work for some of the biggest names in the UK and US television industry at two major international television festivals: in August the BAFTA Rocliffe New Comedy Showcase returns to the Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival (GEITF) for a second year; in October it will return to the New York Television Festival (NYTVF) for a fourth consecutive year.
How to apply: Applications are open at http://bit.ly/BAFTARocliffe to British UK-based comedy screenwriters who have not yet had a television series commissioned, although they may have broadcast writing credits. The successful entries will be selected by an industry jury of comedy professionals from the UK and US. In 2013 the jury included Jennifer Saunders, Jessica Hynes, Caryn Mandabach, Andrew Newman, Margot Gavan Duffy, Jill Offman, Saskia Schuster, Matt King, Kevin Cecil and Kenton Allen.
Additional application details can be found in their Terms & Conditions.
What you pay: Entry fee is £42 for hard copies (posted or hand delivered). Email entries cost an additional £10 to the above fee.
What you get: The chosen writers will receive:
- A BAFTA Rocliffe New Comedy Showcase featuring professional actors performing their work in front of an industry audience at GEITF or the NYTVF. Audience members across the festivals will include representatives from BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Sky, Comedy Central, Sky, FOX, FX, VH1, MTV, IFC and major independent production companies;
- Feedback during the event from top television industry guests – gaining vital tips and encouragement. The 2013 NYTVF/BAFTA New York event was chaired by Greg Daniels (The Office, Parks and Recreation);
- One-to-one development mentoring sessions by top UK and US comedy commissioners and independent production companies;
- A GEITF festival pass and/or a New York Television Festival ‘Official Artist’ pass;
- Pitch and networking training;
- Travel and accommodation for the festival for which they are selected;
- One-to-one meetings with top UK talent agents;
- Bespoke industry networking opportunities.
Deadline: Saturday 23 May 2015
Source: BAFTA Rocliffe Forum