Red Planet Pictures And ITV Launch The 2020 Red Planet Prize

Red Planet Pictures and ITV have launched the 2020 Red Planet Prize, a bi-annual competition that champions talent and diversity by calling on emerging writers to submit their drama scripts to a panel of experts; this year's award will focus on finding original voices to bring into the mainstream. The winner of The Red Planet Prize will receive a script commission and the runner up will get development opportunities with ITV.

The two giants of popular drama will once again join forces to champion untapped talent and find under-represented voices with bold new serial and series ideas. This year the judges will focus on unmissable four-part contemporary thrillers (this could be psychological, conspiracy, relationship, crime or political) and returning procedural series (crime, medical and legal). To be considered, writers will be required to submit:

• An existing original spec script, full length and for any medium TV, film, radio and theatre
• A one to two-page pitch for an original TV serial or series idea for ITV
• A short CV highlighting any writing credits (these are not essential to enter)
• Screenwriters must be based in the UK and Eire. The idea should not be in development with another broadcaster or independent company.

Submissions will open online on March 27th with the closing deadline of April 3rd 2020. The shortlist masterclass will take place in May 2020 and the winner will be announced in July 2020.

Up to ten shortlisted writers will be invited to a one-day pitching masterclass with Tony Jordan, award-winning writer and CEO of Red Planet Pictures and ITV Drama Execs. They will then have three weeks to write up their pitch and series outline. Joining as ITV’s Drama commissioner in 2019, this will be Chloe Tucker’s first Red Planet Prize and she will be judging the shortlist alongside Kate Rowland (Creative Consultant), Belinda Campbell (Joint Managing Director of Red Planet Pictures) and writer and actor, Rhashan Stone (Keeping Faith, Apple Tree Yard).