Script New

Studio21 2025 script competition opens to find hit micro-drama as the sector booms

Studio21 International has opened its 2025 script competition with a mission to uncover a hit microdrama that can appeal to a contemporary audience worldwide.

Building on its 2024 Studio21 Scene-By-Scene Script Competition – designed to uncover compelling contemporary stories that can reach a 21st century audience across platforms – the 2025 competition is titled The Studio 21 Micro Drama Script Competition.

The competition invites entries for series made up of 2-5 minute episodes, with a total of 40-60 episodes across the series.

Entrants should submit:
• The first three episode scripts (of between 2-5 minutes per episode) as a single file with the end of each episode clearly marked.
• A treatment for the full series, to run between 40- 60 episodes.

You can enter online by CLICKING HERE
There is a £30 fee to enter.

Photo of Hayley McKenzieStudio21 partner Hayley McKenzie said: “Microdrama is a rapidly expanding scripted market and I’m excited to see how the talented screenwriting and filmmaking community adapt to help define and shape it.”

We remain open to scripts in any fiction genre, but priority will be given to projects that meet the following criteria:

• Explore progressive themes.
• Engage with the audience in new and innovative ways.
• Deliver short episodes of between 2-5 minutes.
• Create hooks that make us want to watch the next episode.
• Have a driving narrative across the series.
• Can be produced on a small budget.

The winning project will pick up a development deal with Studio21 to take the series to market, together with a £2000 cash prize.

Studio 21’s David Jenkinson added: “The Studio21 script competition has always attracted the most progressive new writers, and last year we made the first steps into developing newform drama designed to be released digital first. This year we are evolving that approach to find a hit microdrama, which has become a key driver for the scripted business.”

Previous winners now have their shows in development with leading producers, and the raft of new writers and projects taken under the Studio21 wing is commanding the attention of coproducers and commissioners worldwide.

From the pool of submissions, made between 7 July, 2025 and 17 September, 2025, a shortlist of 21 projects will be selected.

From these, six finalists will be chosen to present their script to the global drama business at Content London 2025.

Shortlisted entries will be announced on Friday 10 October, 2025, and the six finalists will be announced on Friday 31 October, 2025.

The Studio 21 Micro Drama Script Competition is produced in association with C21Media, Content London and Script Angel.

Each finalist will also receive a free consultancy session from Script Angel.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS
For more information, including submission requirements & guidelines, eligibility criteria, FAQs and FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS CLICK HERE.

If you are experiencing any issues with your submissions, please email [email protected]

Script competition finalists are connected with the global content business and winners have their show developed in partnership with some of the world’s leading drama executives, producers and showrunners.

WHAT WRITERS SAY ABOUT THE DRAMA SERIES SCRIPT COMPETITION AND STUDIO21

“To say I’ve had an epic, exciting journey since my script, Parasomnia, won the Studio21 script competition in 2018 is something of an understatement! The Studio 21 team spent a lot of time helping me to hone my ideas and the script itself, to the point where it attracted serious attention. Parasomnia is now in development with one of the UK’s most respected production companies and a top US industry executive. The Studio21 team has been brilliant throughout. I can’t thank them enough.
Jan Smith, Creator, Parasomnia

“Since optioning Bakersfield Studio21’s input has been fantastic, connecting the project with a top US agent and bringing A-list showrunners in alongside me to further develop the show. Their energy, enthusiasm, contacts and commitment has been instrumental in getting Bakersfield noticed in the very competitive US market.”
Alister McDermott, creator, Bakersfield

“My work with Studio 21 has been instrumental in my career as a television screenwriter. The opportunity to develop my television series with them has helped my voice be heard in the industry and opened many doors for me. I’ve had a fantastic experience with the team, and I am always appreciative of their support, feedback, and advice. Their way of working with a writer is highly personalised and I really value the relationship I have with them. I trust in the team to help me through the development process and work with me to improve and hone my script, while helping me preserve the spirit of my story. I have a lot to thank Studio 21 for. I would encourage anyone to pursue an opportunity to work with them.”
Zia Holloway, creator, Wayward

“C21 are exceptionally good at giving visibility to emerging writers and amplifying new voices. Winning the competition was a shock and has changed the course of my career. I am immensely grateful to David and Hayley at Studio21 for the development opportunities I have since been afforded. I can’t recommend this competition enough for any writer keen to take the next steps into the industry.”
Grace Link, Creator, Crack of Dawn

“Making the final of the script competition is a hugely significant opportunity. Not only the potential subsequent relationships formed, but also the unique chance to pitch at Content London – an intimidating prospect which turned out to be immensely confidence-boosting. On top of that, seeing and hearing about so many sides of the industry over the course of the conference and talking to delegates was fascinating and eye-opening. We received full support and encouragement throughout the whole process – something that has continued to be the case now that my project is in development with Studio21. I can’t recommend entering enough!”
Alice Burden, Creator, On Solstice Hill

“Studio21 truly understands the journey of a project; from the early genesis of the idea within the writer’s brain, to the complex and often challenging approach of taking that idea out into the market. At each stage, and with each decision, they remain loyal protectors of the original vision of their writers, whilst at the same time their feedback and development notes are testing, considered, and intelligent. I have found working with Studio21 on my project a real pleasure, both personally and professionally. I consider myself part of the team, and that kind of connection and trust is hard to find, and even harder not to celebrate. If you come across an opportunity to work with them, fight for it!”
Samuel Jefferson, Creator, Renegade

“The Studio21 drama series script competition is hands-down the best available in the UK for aspiring TV writers. There a few things that make it unique: 1. The competition doesn’t work in a vacuum – forming an integral part of Content London. C21 gives real exposure to all the finalists by way of the live pitch and press/event coverage. 2. The winner receives an option and development deal worth £10,000 to shepherd the project towards production. 3. The Studio21 team helps all the finalists through valuable script notes and feedback. 4. Finalists also have access to the Content London event and the ability to set up meetings with senior executives.”
Jon Smith, Finalist 2019/2020

“The Studio21 Script Competition is unlike any American script competitions we’ve entered. All finalists were invited to Content London to pitch their work and take part in the industry showcases and keynotes. This gave us a highly respected platform to discuss our projects and careers with real decision makers in the UK industry. Even if you don’t win the first prize option and development deal, every finalist takes home a vastly expanded network of face-to-face contacts – and this can be a real game-changer for emerging writers to break in to a highly competitive industry.”
Ian Masters, Finalist, 2019/2020

Media Partners

The competition is now closed for entries.