Opportunities

If you’re a script writer (whether for the stage, screen, audio or beyond), knowing what’s out there can be a challenge to track. My aim with this page is to share opportunities I’ve spotted – predominantly across the UK and often the Yorkshire region – which might help, including where to find funding. The information here isn’t exhaustive, but it’s a starting point. If I’ve missed anything worthwhile, please get in touch and I’ll add it here.

Current Callouts – By Date:

STAGE Slung Low Shorts – callout for 15-minute scripts by West Yorkshire playwrights. Organisers initially looking for a short synopsis of the play and up to three pages of dialogue. Email here to submit or ask any questions. Deadline midnight Saturday 14th February 2026.
STAGE ‘Theatre in the Bar’ Callout – for 5-minute, self-produced pieces from poets, singers, stand-up comics & writers in the North of England. The event is called Arrival! and the submission window closes on 28th February 2026.
SCREEN Raindance Script Competition – Raindance Film Festival 2026 open for submissions. Regular Deadline: 19th January 2026, Late Deadline: 2nd March 2026.
STAGE Jerwood Royal Court Commissioning Scheme – a national initiative awarding grants of up to £6k to fund new play commissions across the UK. Closes Friday 23rd January 2026.
SCREEN Creative Cities Convention (CCC) – lands in Liverpool from 6-7 May 2026. Headline speakers included outgoing BBC Director-General Tim Davie, YouTube UK MD Alison Lomax, soap stars from Hollyoaks and Coronation Street and the Warp Films team behind Adolescence and Reunion. Early bird tickets are available from November 2025 to 5th January 2026.
STAGE Haddaway & Write 2026 for North East Writers – supports up to 6 North East writers to develop original short plays, with dramaturgical support. Deadline: 12pm Friday 9th January 2026.
SCREEN OKRE Fund – Laughing Matters Fellowship 2026 – brings together established comedy creatives with world-class climate and health researchers to develop fresh, funny and authentic new projects. Deadline 5pm 9th January 2026.
STAGE Jerwood Royal Court Commissioning Scheme – national fund for new play commissions, offering six annual grants of up to £6000. Applications for joint proposals between a playwright and a producing venue or company will be open until 23rd January 2025.
SCREEN Screenwriting Weekender from New Writing North – a packed weekend of TV industry talks, workshops and networking aimed at writers who want to improve their screenwriting skills, get industry know how and make new connections. Venue: Newcastle Upon Tyne 6 – 8 February 2026.
SCREEN Royal Birmingham Conservatoire – Short Film Script Submissions 2026: RBC is seeking seven short film scripts (five scripts for four actors, and two scripts for three actors) to be produced in May 2026 as part of the graduation films for the BA Acting course. Deadline 11th February 2026.
SCREEN BBC Writers – Write Across Bradford for emerging writers and creatives at the early stages of their writing careers based in the Bradford city region. Opens February 2026 and closes June 2026 (dates TBC).
STAGE Carlo Annoni Playwriting Prize – open for submissions of short and full-length plays with topics concerning the LGBTQ+ community worldwide. Closes 30th April 2026.
STAGE ITCH Scratch Submission Callout ‘Seizure!’ – open to writers from the North of England and closing on 11th May 2026.
STAGE The Play Lottery – a playwriting contest for writers based anywhere in the UK, with a twist – the winning play is chosen entirely at random.

Current Callouts – Rolling/Open:

AUDIO & SCREEN BBC Commissioning – opportunities, commissioning briefs and contacts.
SCREEN BFI National Lottery Creative Challenge Fund – aimed at UK organisations running creative project development programmes for feature film/immersive media. Applicants must design and submit a programme proposal—including details of participants, structure, budget, and delivery plan—via the BFI’s online portal. The winning organisations will receive funding of between £12,000 and £150,000 per programme to support development labs, workshops, mentoring, and talent development schemes.
SCREEN Climate Spring and Counterpoints Arts – offering investment and support for feature films and TV projects that explore how climate change drives displacement and migration.
SCREEN ScreenSkills Bursaries – aimed at individuals aged 18 and over across all career stages in the UK screen industries.
AUDIO The Skewer – Radio 4 comedy show, seeking ideas. Produced by unusual, the callout page includes a contributor guide.

General Writing & Creative Industries Support

Aberystwyth University Scriptwriting Society – for keen scriptwriters who are aged 18+ and based in the Aberystwyth area in Ceredigion, Wales. Non-students are welcome.
Arvon – a charity supporting writers since 1968, offering courses and retreats – both in-person and online – led by leading authors.
BBC Upload – for any kind of content: audio, video, text or images – open to submissions all year round, with content showcased every day on BBC radio stations and social & online platforms.
Bradford Cultural Voice Forum – a network of creative people, who work in the Bradford District’s cultural sector that exists to share knowledge, resources, and opportunities.
Bradford Producing Hub – an independent arts development organisation aiming to nurture and support artists and creative companies across the Bradford district. Events, training, resources, funding & opportunities.
ITCH New Writing & Creativity from Studio Productions @ Bingley Little Theatre – monthly script writing lab, Theatre in the Bar, scratch nights and routes into production for longer pieces.
London Playwrights Blog – a weekly round-up of the latest scriptwriting opportunities.
My Funding Central – often writers have to become producers to get their work out there and this resource helps identify a range of funding opportunities.
The New Monday – a free community initiative that brings together individuals and organisations from TV, film and the wider creative industries in Leeds with breakfast networking and speaker sessions on the first Tuesday of every month (it is The New Monday after all…)
New Writing North – on a mission to bring people together through writing, reading and engaging in ideas. They find and support talented people from all backgrounds to access creative opportunities, enabling them to flourish. Multiple events, courses and prizes. Includes Northern Writers’ Awards.
New Writing South – a contemporary literature organisation working with and for writers at all stages of their career in the south-east of England. Their programme includes in-person and virtual opportunities.
OKRE Fund – provides financial support to early-stage imaginative, meaningful and collaborative entertainment projects. OKRE funded projects currently in development include dramas, comedies and videogames.
Script East Midlands – a support hub for script writers in the East Midlands: opportunities and workshops, professional mentoring from award-winning scriptwriters, a monthly Writers Group.
Script Yorkshire – a volunteer-run organisation supporting writers in creating stories for stage, screen and radio. Offers members free workshops with industry professionals and script-sharing opportunities.
SimplyScripts – a database of hundreds of downloadable scripts, movie scripts, screenplays, and transcripts of current, classic and maybe a few soon-to-be-released movies, television, anime, unproduced and radio shows.
TYPE! – seeking short/micro plays or screenplays (2-5 minutes in length) to feature in a free bookmark magazine championing bold new writing. Rolling submission deadline.
Wilson’s Republic – a community of independent creative businesses and individuals spanning design, illustration, art, film, photography, music, fashion, architecture, digital and other businesses with a creative edge. 
Word Up North – an arts charity based in West Yorkshire that promotes and develops creative writing and reading in the North of England. It delivers a year-round programme of work including new writing and talent development.
Writers’ Guild of Great Britain – WGGB is the trade union for writers in TV, film, theatre, audio, books, poetry, comedy, animation and videogames.
The Uncultured – a mass of resources for freelancers working in the creative and cultural industries, include ACE templates to support funding applications.
The Wolfson Foundation – funds a broad range of organisations working across the fields of education, health & disability, heritage, humanities & the arts: its grants are for capital initiatives, i.e. buildings (new build or refurbishment) and equipment.
UK Community Foundations – grants are distributed according to the particular needs of the local area or region in which the funder is based.
Zealous – creative career tips & application advice. Tips on being selected for opportunities, being noticed and growing as a creative.

Stage/Theatre (includes funding)

509 Arts – freelancers, artists and practitioners of all kinds are welcome to contact the company to explore opportunities.
Arts at the Arms – Yorkshire based with the aim to support local creatives share their practice by showcasing original work and developing talent. They are keen for email feedback and to connect with creatives who are interested in being part of future events.
Arts Council England – England’s development agency for creativity and culture. Includes Developing your Creative Practice (DYCP) funding of up to £12000 to support individuals and National Lottery Project Grants of up to £100000. The availability of grants and application processes change frequently, so it is worth checking the ACE funding pages for changes. ACE advertises jobs in the arts & culture via their Arts Jobs website.
Arts & Humanities Research Council – AHRC funds outstanding original research across the whole range of the arts and humanities.
The Boring Fund – helps small non-profit UK organisations cover some of the boring costs like insurance, web hosting, admin time.
Box of Tricks – open door policy to receiving new plays and forging creative relationships with Northern playwrights, supporting development through the PlayMakers Network.
Bradford Arts Centre – supports dance, theatre, and music artists to create work and develop their creative practice. This includes providing studio space, offering organisational and developmental support and help and guidance with writing funding applications.
The Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting – writing opportunities, support and resources alongside news about the prize itself.
Common/Wealth Theatre – Bradford & Cardiff-based, make site-specific theatre events that encompass electronic sound, new writing, visual design and verbatim. Email to express interest in working with them in this way.
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation – grant applications can be made to support creative, confident communities.
Finborough Theatre – encourages open script submissions on all subjects and themes.
The Fore – encourages applications from charities working with underserved communities, and those who have struggled to access trust and foundation funding in the past.
Garfield Weston Foundation – funds are available to support charities working in areas including community, education, health, arts and heritage.
Grand Plan – supports UK artists of colour with £1000 grants to take a creative leap.
Grants Online – a portal dedicated to developments in grant funding with a page dedicated to arts, culture & heritage.
The Hope Theatre – Write Club is a new writing festival and invites contributions from writers.
How to Write a Play with Mike Bartlett – playwriting advice, writing tips, writing exercises, answers to your questions, and thoughts on the theatre world from Olivier Award-winner Mike Bartlett.
Jerwood Foundation – supports excellence and emerging talent in the arts in the UK and welcomes funding applications from organisations.
John Ellerman Foundation – aims to advance the wellbeing of people, society and the natural world by focusing on funding the arts, environment and social action.
Leeds Playhouse – the Furnace artist development programme supports local creatives and helps to generate new work.
London Playwrights – an online resource for emerging playwrights with events and script consultancy. A variety of paid workshops (in person and online) are available.
National Lottery Heritage Fund – funds projects that connect people to the UK’s heritage with grants from £10,000.
The National Theatre – Playwrights Series: playwrights discuss, on video, different approaches to their craft.
Paines Plough – Tour the Writer is a writer development programme, established in partnership with leading theatres and producers across England.
Papatango Playwrights’ Studio – free and open to playwrights of all levels of experience: digital workshops, one-to-one advice, open-access funding, networking, interviews and representation (build your own profile on their website listing your experience, available scripts and creative interests, searchable by other creatives and producers).
Paul Hamlyn Foundation – supports organisations which are working at the intersection of art and social change.
Rayne Foundation – purpose is to effect and promote positive social change.
Red Ladder Theatre Company – artist development initiatives include a commitment to reading the first 10 pages of every script submission. Otherwise, they are open to supporting theatrical creatives with advice on funding, the theatre-making scene in the North of England and with introductions.
Roots Theatre – partner with LGBTQIA+ artists, communities, charities and places to create unique theatrical projects. Join their newsletter to be the first to hear about opportunities.
Royal Court Theatre – Writers’ Card Membership offers free support and exclusive events, including sending in plays for consideration, accessing funding, resources and insights. There’s also a seven-part video series helping playwrights start, write and finish a play: it’s available to watch on our Instagram and YouTube. The videos are short and BSL versions are available.
Royal Exchange Theatre – new writing & support for playwrights gives access to script submission windows, writing resources, workshops and partnerships.
Sheffield Theatres – Making Room (a network of artists & activities, promoted through a newsletter) and The Bank, a creative hub and artist development programme.
Slung Low – creatives and writers can be considered for Slung Low projects by emailing their biography and portfolio details.
The Stage – fighting for the future of theatre since 1880, a resource for theatre makers of all kinds.
Theatre in the Mill – with upcoming opportunities, including jobs, casting and programmes.

Screen (Film/TV)

Actwrite – London-based screenwriters connecting with professional and trained actors to workshop scripts through in-person table reads.
BBC Writers – discovering, developing, and championing new and experienced writing talent across the UK. BBC Writers writing opportunities can be found here.
BFI – the British Film Institute has a wealth of learning & training and provides funding & industry support. The BFI’s UK Global Screen Fund (UKGSF) is designed to boost international development, production, distribution, and promotional opportunities for the UK’s independent screen sector.
Channel 4’s New Writers Scheme – for unrepresented writers living in the UK’s Nations and Regions with a burning desire to write TV drama.
Edinburgh Screenwriting Sessions – a bi-weekly meetup at Filmhouse in Edinburgh for screenwriters of all stages. An opportunity to get some writing done and socialise with other screenwriters in Scotland. Open to all.
Internet Movie Script Database – large movie script resource (scripts usually available as a link towards the bottom of the individual film’s screen).
National Film & Television School – NFTS has campuses across the UK in Beaconsfield, Cardiff, Glasgow and Leeds which deliver a range of long and short form courses.
Royal Television Society – RTS provides events, education and training across the UK.
Screen Yorkshire – content funding, skills & talent – including training & development – and production funding. Get it all in Yorkshire.
ScreenSkills – careers, jobs and skills training in film, TV, VFX, animation & games.
The Unit – a free, open-access creative space for filmmakers and creatives of all levels. Funded by Channel 4, Bradford Council, and supported by Screen Yorkshire. It offers weekly workshops, industry-standard equipment hire, post-production facilities, and a hot-desking space.
Yorkshire Screenwriters – a screenwriting development group meeting in Leeds and connecting with industry agencies and producers in the region. Meets monthly to share feedback on member scripts with an annual 48 hour screenwriting challenge and Screenwriters’ Retreat. Their Facebook page is where the most current updates can be found.
Wildseed Studios – Bristol based, Wildseed is a live action and animation, TV and film production company focusing on premium film and tv properties. As well as working with established creators and talent, Wildseed is also a leading destination for emerging talent looking to get into premium scripted production.

Audio (Podcasts/Radio)

Chapel FM – various opportunities to get involved with radio and podcast production (scripted and unscripted), including their ‘lit fest on the radio’ Writing on Air. Due to a funding issue in late 2025, the latest Writing on Air festival has been delayed. To help fund their endeavours to support new writing, you can donate here.
Frequency Theatre – always open to submissions of unsolicited scripts to be considered for production. They may give feedback to playwrights who they feel have potential, but whose submission has just missed the mark.