Once again, the BBC World Service and the British Council launched their 11th biennial international radio playwriting competition for 2009 this month. The contest is open to anyone over 16 years old except for UK residents. Interested writers are invited to submit an original 60-minute radio play on a subject of their choice. All types of writers are welcomed to submit works: experienced novelists, writers for theater, film, television who are new to radio drama, or writers with no experience in script writing are all welcome. The deadline for submitting all plays is March 31, 2009. Two main prizes will be awarded: best play written in English as a first language and best play written in English as a second language. Winners of the two prizes will each receive £2,500 and a trip to London to see their plays being recorded and to attend an awards ceremony. The playwriting competition is about hearing people stories and voices and a reminder of what a fantastic medium radio drama is, the British Council said in a statement. For more information and to download the application, visit www.bbcworldservice.com/radioplay or www.britishcouncil.org/arts-radio-play.htm.
