New writers collective FAQS

We want the application to be as straightforward as possible. If you have questions, we hope that we’ve answered them here. If there’s anything else you’d like to know, please email us at tvfoundation@thetvfestival.com. The New Writers Collective aims to attract talented people from all backgrounds. If you require this information in a different format or need to apply in another way, please email tvfoundation@thetvfestival.com

Eligibility

The New Writers’ Collective is an initiative designed to discover and support new TV writers. 

The successful cohort will receive

  • A free pass and accommodation for the 2025 Edinburgh TV Festival
  • Free access to all TV Foundation events for a year
  • A free pass to the 2026 Edinburgh TV Festival
  • Free priority access to a new, dedicated scripted event launching in Spring 2025
  • Exclusive access to scripted executives at All3Media and an exclusive deal with All3Media
    • Entrants must be 18 years of age or older
    • Entrants must not be represented by an agent as a screenwriter
    • Entrants must not have paid TV writing experience or credits or anything in active development
    • International entrants are eligible, but entrants must primarily reside in the UK

    If you’re unsure whether you meet the requirements and would like us to check your eligibility before applying, please email tvfoundation@thetvfestival.com 

The New Writers Collective is geared towards giving people a career boost in the UK TV industry, so the scheme wouldn’t benefit you fully if you live and work outside of the UK.

International entrants are eligible, but entrants must primarily reside in the UK

Yes, we will accept co-written entries to the New Writers Collective. But we have to stipulate that only one festival pass will be supplied per writing team.

Applying

Applications for New Writers Collective will open Thursday 28 November 2024

 

Entries must be submitted by Thursday 09 January 2025 11.59pm – we cannot offer any extensions on the deadline

Participants will be notified in early March.

The collective will be announced in March, date TBC

The application form will be available on our website. 

We will require you to submit:


A 100-word writer’s biography. This doesn’t need to be a formal recap of any experience you might have (you don’t need any!) – just give us a sense of who you are as a writer, what interests you etc.!

A logline for your script. This should be a one sentence summary of your idea.

A one-page pitch summary of your series/ idea. This should be a PDF. As entries are assessed blind you should remove your name and any contact details from the document. You can find more information about writing a short treatment and pitch document here and here

20 pages of a completed TV script. This should be a PDF and the same idea as your pitch. As entries are assessed blind you should remove your name and any contact details from the document. Your entry should be formatted as a television script. For a guide, see here

  • The fee to enter the award is £24 – this is inclusive of VAT and is frozen from 2023
  • All fees are payable via Stripe after submission. Entries will not be considered until payment has been made.
  • The entry fee covers the costs of processing and assessing submissions, and we do not give refunds.
  • If you are unable to pay the entry fee, email tvfoundation@thetvfestival.com and, if appropriate, we will provide you with a waiver code.
  • Entries must be submitted by Thursday 09 January 2025 11.59pm – we cannot offer any extensions on the deadline and late submissions will not be considered. 

Being on the programme

Now in its fourth year, we are delighted to offer even more to the 10 selected writers who will benefit from a newly extended programme including:

  • A free pass and accommodation for the 2025 Edinburgh TV Festival
  • Free access to all TV Foundation events for a year
  • A free pass to the 2026 Edinburgh TV Festival
  • Free priority access to a brand-new screenwriting event First Draft on Thursday 27 March
    2025
  • Exclusive access to scripted executives at All3Media

The All3Media and TV Foundation partnership has provided a vital first step towards an on-screen credit for a number of writers including David MacPherson (The Rig), Anna Costello (Dead Canny) and director Nichola Wong.

We are committed to making our programmes and the Festival as inclusive as possible. You can read the Festival’s accessibility policies here.

If there are any reasonable accommodations you require to be able to participate in the assessment process or in the programme we will make them and cover the associated costs. If you have any questions about access or inclusion, please email tvfoundation@thetvfestival.com