Popcorn Group set up the in 2019 as the first award of its kind at the which solely celebrates the writer. We wanted to champion new writing at the fringe with the writing at the heart. The award includes a prize fund which provides the writer with financial space and time to write their next piece of work so that they’re able to build on the success of their last.
This year we are partnering with Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writersroom for the first time and as part of that collaboration, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writersroom have generously agreed to every shortlisted applicant getting a one-on-one session with a representative from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writersroom team. We hope that this will further help to develop these writers and for most of them, give them their first introduction to the screen industry.
Once we have the scripts we go through the process of reading and shortlisting. A shortlist is then delivered to our brilliant committee who come from all walks of life. Past committee members have included: Golden Globe winner Ruth Wilson, Tony-winning Enda Walsh, Oscar-winning Gonzalo Maza and BAFTA winner Wunmi Mosaku as well as columnist Fatima Bhutto and editor Penny Martin.
Bryony Kimmings, winner of the Popcorn Writing Award at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2019 (Photo credit: Euan Cherry)
Previous winners have gone onto to do so much with their careers. 2020 Finalist Matilda Ibini was chosen as a Screen Daily Star of Tomorrow in the same year, 2019 Winner Bryony Kimmings has gone onto write for screen as well as performance, most notably co-writing Last Christmas with Emma Thompson and 2019 Finalist Claire Rammelkamp was part of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writersroom's Comedy Room development group.
We have already had a record-breaking number of scripts in this year but there is still time until the deadline of Friday 24th June at 10am to get yours in.
All plays submitted will be considered provided they are:
- A new piece of writing which has not had a significant run before the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe. (A significant run is deemed as no more than 7 performances or a play that was shown online.)
- A play that is being produced at this year’s 2022 fringe at one of the partnering venues:
- Assembly
- Gilded Balloon
- Pleasance
- Summerhall
- Traverse
- The Space UK
- Underbelly
Please send your piece of new writing and a 50 word summary of your play to your respective venue with “Popcorn Writing Award 2022// Title of Play // Writer’s Name // Venue Associated” in the subject heading.
Further details of this year's awards event will follow.