Wellcome Trust and BFI launch annual screenwriting prize

The Wellcome Trust, a global charitable foundation dedicated to achieving extraordinary improvements in human and animal health, have announced the launch of an annual screenwriting prize, in association with the BFI Film Fund.

Winners of the prize, which aims to encourage films inspired by biology and medicine, will receive £20,000 to develop their idea to first draft as well as support from the Wellcome Trust to world-leading scientists and to help identify commercial partners and producers. Judges of the prize will include representatives from Film4 and the BFI, who will also provide the winner with access to professional development executives to help them develop their screenplay.

The Wellcome Trust Screenwriting Prize is open to both live action and animation projects with judges looking for scripts that are creative in the way they incorporate biomedicine into the story. There will be a shortlist of around 5-10 entrants who will then meet the judges to discuss their ideas, with the winner being announced at an awards ceremony at Wellcome Collection in London.

“At the Wellcome Trust, we work with the brightest minds with the best ideas in medicine. The Wellcome Trust Screenwriting Prize is aimed at identifying and supporting their counterparts in the film world and creating some truly original British films,” commented Clare Matterson [pictured], Director of Medical Humanities and Engagement at the Wellcome Trust.

Lizzie Francke, Senior Development and Production Executive, BFI Film Fund, added: “Science in film is by no means restricted to science fiction or science-inspired biopics. We want to hear from screenwriters with bold, innovative projects that draw inspiration from science and medicine to tell stories which challenge and entertain audiences.”