National opportunities May 2009


Fulbright Commission grant: £20,000 grant available
US-UK body the Fulbright Commission is offering its annual £20,000 grant to a UK citizen from an under-represented background to pursue a masters degree in film directing, screenplay, production, cinematography, scoring/composition at any accredited US institution. For more information, see www.fulbright.co.uk. Deadline: 31 May 2009.

Poetry Rivals competition
Entries on any subject are welcome and in any style from poets of all ages and from all walks of life. The top 100 poets (50 under-18s and 50 over-18s) will be invited to the live poetry slam to perform their piece in front of a panel of judges and a live audience. Closing date for entries is 30 June. For more information, see www.onlineleaversbooks.co.uk/poetryrivals/index.html.

Benjamin Franklin House Literary Prize 2009
The 2009 Benjamin Franklin House Literary Prize in association with The Daily Telegraph asks professional and young writers in 1,000-1,500 words to interpret the Franklin quote: “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety”. The winner of the Young Writers Prize will receive £500 while the winner of the Professional Writers Prize will receive £1000. Winning essays will be published in the Telegraph and at www.benjaminfranklinhouse.org. For information on how to apply, see www.benjaminfranklinhouse.org/site/sections/news/literary_prize.html. Deadline 30 September.

Coming Up 2009 scheme launched
Coming Up is the only UK talent scheme where emerging film-makers have the opportunity to make an authored drama with a guaranteed network broadcast. The scheme will make up to eight eye-catching innovative, challenging films for a half-hour C4 slot. Applications will need to show bold original and surprising ideas that can be shot in four days on a limited budget. The scheme is open to all writers who have not had an original single, series or serial broadcast on UK television; and directors without a primetime TV drama credit. Full guidelines are available at www.touchpapertv.com/comingup.html or email specific queries to comingup@touchpapertv.com. Deadline: 1 May 2009.

HighTide 2009 competition for scriptwriters
HighTide is looking to produce new scripts from emerging writers for the fourth HighTide Festival, which will take place in May 2010. Writers may submit one unproduced full-length play. All plays should be emailed to scripts@hightide.org.uk. Please enter your name and title of script in the subject line. For more information, see www.hightide.org.uk. Deadline: 1 August 2009.