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BAFTA ROCLIFFE COMPETITION 2026

HOW TO ENTER, GUIDELINES, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS ARE FOR GUIDE PURPOSES ONLY AND FINAL T&CS WILL BE PUBLISHED WHEN THE COMPETITION OPENS

TV COMEDY SCRIPTS

The BAFTA Rocliffe TV Comedy Writing Competition 2026 is open to emerging writers submitting original television comedy projects, including sitcom and sketch comedy.

Only an extract and supporting materials are required. We do not require the full script.

Each entry must be submitted as a single PDF and must include the required materials in the order set out below.

TOP 6 TIPS FOR TV COMEDY WRITERS

• Put the comedy on the page. A strong comic premise is not enough. The extract should contain actual jokes, comic reversals, funny behaviour, sharp dialogue or laugh-out-loud moments. The strength of the extract is the basis upon which your script will be judged. The support material is for context.

• Make the comic premise clear quickly. What is funny about this world, this situation or this group of people?

• Build comedy from character. Give us strong character descriptions, clear wants, flaws, blind spots and contradictions.

• Let conflict drive the comedy. Sitcoms work best when characters are trapped by their own desires, habits, relationships or circumstances.

• Show the series engine. Why do these characters keep coming back together, and how can the comedy repeat and escalate across a series?

• Choose an extract that showcases your writing. The panel only reads ten pages, so make sure those pages demonstrate the tone, characters and comic voice of the series.

KEY DATES

TO BE ANNOUNCED

ENTRY FEES

Early Bird Entry Fee

£58 (2024 Rate)

Entries submitted before 9 August 2026 will qualify for the Early Bird rate and will be charged at the same fee as the 2024 competition.

Early Bird entries must be paid for by 10 August 2026 or they will incur the higher rate.

Standard Entry Fee

£65 (2026 Standard Rate)

Entries submitted after the Early Bird deadline and before the final closing date will be charged at the standard 2026 rate.

All entry fees are non-refundable and inclusive of VAT.

All invoices must be paid within 24 hours of receipt. Failure to pay within 24 hours may result in the entry being withdrawn.

BURSARY SCHEME

LINK: TO COME

Rocliffe is committed to supporting writers from all backgrounds.

A limited number of free bursary places are available for writers who would otherwise be unable to afford the submission fee.

Bursary applications close at 10am BST on 17 August 2026.

Bursary recipients will be selected and notified by email on 18 August 2026.

Successful bursary applicants must submit their completed competition entry by 24 August 2026.

Failure to submit by the bursary submission deadline may result in the bursary place being withdrawn and offered to another writer.

Bursary places are limited and the decision of Rocliffe is final.

ELIGIBILITY

The competition is open to emerging writers.

At least one named writer on the submission must be either a UK tax resident or the holder of a UK passport.

For the avoidance of doubt, providing a UK postal address does not, by itself, establish eligibility.

Rocliffe reserves the right to request evidence of UK tax residency, UK passport status, age and identity.

Writers must be aged 18 or over by the final closing date.

Writers must not have created, originated or been commissioned to write a television series for a major broadcaster or streaming platform.

Employees of Rocliffe, BAFTA or any partner organisation involved in the competition are not eligible to enter.

Proof of eligibility may be requested at any stage.

Writers may submit more than one project, but each project must be submitted as a separate entry and paid for separately.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All material must be submitted as a single PDF document.

The PDF must not exceed 13 pages in total. The supporting material should fit within the first three pages of the PDF.

Submissions that do not follow the required order may be disqualified.

Name your PDF using the title of your project followed by the date of submission eg Example: Beaches_15062026.pdf

The PDF must contain the following sections in this exact order:

One-Line Synopsis, maximum 25 words.

Series Treatment, maximum 300 words.

This should clearly describe the entire series, including the central premise, key characters, story engine and where the series is heading.

Episode Guides, three episode guides, maximum 30 words each.

Extract Introduction, maximum 100 words.

This should explain where the submitted extract sits within the pilot episode and provide any essential context.

Script Extract, maximum 10 pages, laid out in standard screenwriting format.

No additional documents, links, pitch decks, mood boards, images, artwork, casting suggestions or supporting materials will be accepted.

Submitted material must be in English.

Writer names must not appear on script pages if anonymous judging is being used.

AI USE IN THE WRITING PROCESS

Writers must be the authors of the submitted work.

AI tools may be used for spelling, grammar, formatting and accessiblity support.

The synopsis, treatment, episode guides and script extract should represent the writer's own original creative work.

By entering, writers confirm that the submitted material is their own original work.

Rocliffe reserves the right to request clarification regarding the development of any submitted project.

AI USE IN THE READING PROCESS

Rocliffe confirms that submissions will be read and assessed by human readers.

Readers will not use generative AI tools to read, summarise, assess, score, rank or write reports on submitted material.

Readers will not upload, copy or paste writers' intellectual property into generative AI tools or third-party AI systems.

All Rocliffe Assessments will be written by the readers themselves.

This policy is intended to protect the confidentiality of writers' work and to ensure that each submission is considered fairly by a human reader.

SELECTION PROCESS

All eligible submissions will be reviewed by Rocliffe readers and then by a panel.

A shortlist of approximately 10 to 12 script packages will be selected and submitted to the jury. Three finalists will be selected from this shortlist.

Rocliffe reserves the right not to shortlist or select any submission if, in the opinion of the readers or judges, the required standard has not been met.

All decisions are final and no correspondence regarding individual decisions, scores or Rocliffe Assessments will be entered into.

FINALISTS EVENT

Selected finalists will be invited to attend a live event at BAFTA in London as part of BAFTA's Screenwriting Month.

Finalists' work may be performed, presented, discussed or otherwise showcased as part of the event.

Rocliffe reserves the right to amend the format, venue, date or delivery method of the event if circumstances require.

Attendance at the live event is encouraged but is not a condition of selection.

FEEDBACK

Every eligible submission will receive a written Rocliffe Assessment.

The Rocliffe Assessment is a structured first-round evaluation of the submission against the competition criteria and is designed to support writers in developing their work.

Assessments will be issued by November 2026. Rocliffe will endeavour to meet this timetable but reserves the right to extend the assessment period if circumstances require.

Assessments are provided to assist writers in developing their work and should not be regarded as definitive assessments of a project's potential.

Rocliffe Assessments will be retained for six months following issue.

Writers who have not received their assessment by 10 December 2026 should contact Rocliffe.

JUDGING

Entries will be assessed on:

Originality

Voice

Character

Storytelling ability

Comic strength

Commercial and creative potential

Strength of the concept as an ongoing television series

The judges' decision is final.

No correspondence regarding individual judging decisions will be entered into.

Rocliffe reserves the right not to make an award if, in the opinion of the judges, the required standard has not been met.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

By entering, writers grant Rocliffe the right to use their name, project title and synopsis for competition administration and publicity purposes.

Writers warrant that all submitted material is original and does not infringe the rights of any third party.

Writers agree to indemnify Rocliffe against any claims, losses or damages arising from breach of these warranties.

PRIZE

The three finalists will receive:

A showcase at BAFTA in London during BAFTA's Screenwriting Month in November 2026.

One year's complimentary access to BAFTA Connect following the event, subject to BAFTA's eligibility requirements and terms and conditions.

A Rocliffe Assessment.

A copy of Rocliffe Notes for Screenwriters.

A one-to-one Rocliffe Power Session.

Travel arrangements and support will be communicated to finalists separately.

No cash prize is offered unless otherwise stated.

GENERAL

Rocliffe reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time.

Rocliffe reserves the right to reject any entry that does not comply with the submission requirements.

Entries received after the closing date will not be considered.

Abusive or inappropriate communication with staff, readers, judges or participants will not be tolerated and may result in disqualification.

Submission of an entry constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

Finalists may be required to participate in reasonable publicity relating to the competition and to attend in person in November. We will assist with travel.

Rocliffe reserves the right to cancel, postpone or amend the competition, judging process or live event due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control.

SUBMISSION CHECKLIST

Before submitting, please ensure:

□ The PDF is correctly named by SCRIPT TITLE and DATE IN NUMBERS DDMMYYYY.

□ Synopsis is no longer than 25 words.

□ Treatment is no longer than 300 words.

□ Three episode guides, maximum 30 words each.

□ Brief introduction to your extract, maximum 100 words.

□ Script extract is no longer than 10 pages and conforms to standard script layout.

□ Everything is contained in a single PDF that is no more than 13 pages.

□ Your name does not appear on script pages if anonymous judging is being used.

□ You have not included links, images, artwork, casting suggestions or pitch decks.

□ Your submission complies with the AI policy.