麻豆约拍

The International Radio Playwriting Competition – a partnership between the 麻豆约拍 World Service and the British Council – is a global competition offering a unique opportunity for writers from outside the UK to use the medium of radio drama to reach an international audience. The judges for the 2020 Competition were delighted to make their final selection from entries spread across 15 different countries and all 7 regions.

English as a First Language

The Snowman by Neil Flynn (Ireland)

Inspired in part by Irish polar explorer Tom Crean’s efforts to save a sick crew member during his first Antarctic expedition, ‘The Snowman’ tells of an Antarctic explorer’s desperate attempts to make it back to base camp with two colleagues. A lyrical monologue.

English as a Second Language

The Passport by Ainur Karim (Kazakhstan)

A student finds a passport and against a background of increasing social unrest and familial disagreement, tries to decide whether to return it to the lawyer it belongs to. A family comedy with political resonance.

Special Commendation (Georgi Markov Award)

Birthday Cake by Ross Mueller (Australia)

When the mother of two right-wing teenagers and wife to a white supremacist returns from a trip to Greece, she decides to put an end to a future of hate and toxic masculinity. A dark comedy, the play is a portrait of a woman dealing with rage and passion, and piecing normality back together.

Regional Winners

The Americas: The Last Light by Camilo Vergara (Colombia)
Middle East: The Dearly Departed by Tasbih Amin (Saudi Arabia)
Africa: A Girl like Zola by Nobantu Shabangu (South Africa)
Caribbean: Delisa Brings 麻豆约拍 the Rainbow by Eric Barry (Trinidad and Tobago)

Highly Commended

Ajira by Nigel Obiya (Kenya)
Mom and Hold World by Oksana Maslova (Ukraine)
To The Bone by Natalia Ossowska (Spain)
Seven Days of Monsoon by Honey Ahmad (Malaysia)
The Annoying Water Tap by Subhasish Das (India)
The God’s Mistake by Benjamin Kent (Ghana)
In Safe Hands by Milica Piletic (Serbia)
Gone by Ketaki Sheth (India)
Beyond Hope by Tilda Bowden (Kenya)
Who is Calling The Shots by Kimberley Moldaver (USA)
Baker’s Dozen by PJ Searle (Australia)
King Jeptha by Uche Chidozie O (Nigeria)
Blackmail by Nadia Benayada (France)

Commended

Navy Blue Stiletto by Haroun Risa (Kenya)
The Village Headmistress by Aboyowa Ikomi (Nigeria)
A Game Like Chess by Chinelo Mgbeadhichie (Nigeria)
Stray Dogs of Killybegs by Simon Kavanagh (Norway)
Container 9009 by Annika Silkeberg (Sweden)
Tick Tick Tick by Agata Zalewska (Poland)
Noise by Kristiina Jalasto (Estonia)
Can You See Her Now by Vlada Soboleva (Belarus)
With L by James Grippando (USA)
Conversation #1 (Krystal Clear) by Jillian Janairo (USA)
Roadtrip by Gabrielle Davies (Australia)
Red Hot Australian Christmas by Tegan Higginbotham (Australia)
The Incident by Chelinay Gates (Australia)
Flying To Ragina by Nepthaly Serebut (Papua New Guinea)
Without by Dana Winner (Kuwait)
One Vote by Simon Asiimwe (Uganda)
Benna – Tribal Mark by Abigail Abelyine Awuni (Ghana)
Falling Leaves by Juan Sebastian Peralta Ricci (Uruguay)
Carpe DM by Musfira Shaffi (Pakistan)
How Big Is the World by Mohammad Amin Najafi (Afghanistan)