麻豆社

The International Radio Playwriting Competition – a partnership between the 麻豆社 World Service and the British Council – is a global competition offering a unique opportunity for writers from outside the UK to use the medium of radio drama to reach an international audience. The judges for the 2023 Competition were delighted to make their final selection from entries spread across 11 different countries and all seven regions.

English as a first language

The Mighty Corbeau by Julien Marvin Neaves (Trinidad and Tobago)

An ageing calypso singer decides to come out of retirement to finally prove he is better than his award-winning rival of many years. But he is faced with a huge and unforeseen obstacle. A lively and poignant exploration of ageing and mental health.

English as a second language

Steady Eyes by Hyukin Michaela Kwon (South Korea)

When a mysterious unseen force starts abducting animals from across the globe, human beings fear they will be next. So, three generations of women from a Seoul family attempt to resolve their long-held differences. A bold and imaginative family drama with a sci-fi twist

Special Commendation (Georgi Markov Award)

Slamming Doors by Nadya Todorova (Bulgaria)

Two strangers, both desperate to escape their respective partners, find themselves locked on the stairway of a city apartment block at night. As they search for the key they unearth truths about each other, their neighbours and themselves. A funny and sharply observed relationship drama about the lies that we tell and the secrets we keep.

Regional winners

The Americas: Bound by Xiaoyan (USA)
Middle East: The Smell of Jasmine by Arzé Khodr (Lebanon)
Africa: For This One We Begged by Oláolúwa Òní (Nigeria)
Pacific: The Second Life of Elizabeth Creek by Hannah Forrest (Australia)

Highly Commended

A Sister’s Letter by Tilottama Chowdhury (India)
One Lucky Day Waiting For Juni by Lina Noviandari (Indonesia)
The Womb by Patrycja Wysoki艅ska (Poland)
My Party Starts From 6am by Setsuko Hyodo (Japan)
Without A Shadow of Doubt by Benjamin Kent (Ghana)

Commended

Baby of The Imka by Kulo Seala (South Africa)
Hideous Secrets by Siniša So膰anin (Serbia)
Fanny London or “Another Seagull” by Joel Fishbane (Canada)
The Smuggler From Tangier by Mohamed Bella (Morocco)
God’s Dick by Amin Najafi (Germany)
The Mummies by Ali Cüneyd K谋lc谋o臒lu (Turkey)
For The Benefit of Mr Du Toit by Maria Vos (South Africa)
In My Car by Anna Hollingsworth (Finland)
How To Survive a Fall Through The Ice by Alison Kelly (Canada)
An Unusual Vigil by Giorgi Shervashidze (Georgia)
The Price of Dowry by Kheri Mkali (Tanzania)
Aria and Habis by Santanu Bagchi (India)
Eulogy For An Insignificant Man by Aren Haun (USA)
God Help Me Anniversary by Eugene Ewusi-Annan (Ghana)