The Performing Arts Network of Southern Africa (PANSA) has announced the return of the Festival of Reading of New Writing, the script writing competition for new, emerging, and experienced writers.
The 2017 competition is made possible by a grant of R1.8-million from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC). The competition is open to all South African-based writers. The work must be an original script for stage, not previously produced in any shape or form.
To assist writers in developing their craft, PANSA will arrange and run scriptwriting workshops prior to the submission cut-off date for the competition. The workshops are planned for mid-January 2017. Workshop application forms are available here.
The reading of the plays of the shortlisted writers will take place over one weekend in four regions and the best script from each regional competition will go forward to the National Final. Prizes for each category include Best Writer, R20 000; Runner Up, R10 000; Subsidy for Full Production of Winning Script, R75 000; and Honourable Mention, R5 000.
The submission deadline for finished scripts is Tuesday, 31 January 2017.
For more information, visit www.pansa.org.za. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.