Channel 4’s Bristol creative hub has launched a scheme to nurture new TV drama writers from the city and across the South West – with the opportunity of getting feedback on their completed scripts from the broadcaster’s commission editor.
The scheme is open to unrepresented writers looking for their first credit as well as those working on developing their own original series and has with a particular focus on diverse perspectives across the region. 
It has been devised in collaboration with Bristol UNESCO City of Film and its partners BFI NETWORK – which is delivered regionally in the South West by Bristol’s Watershed media centre – UWE Bristol and the city’s Bottle Yard film and TV studios.
Twelve successful applicants will receive six months’ specialist support, including in-person writing workshops and training in Bristol, industry mentoring and an introduction to scripted drama production companies.
After completing the scheme, participants will be able to submit a first draft script for consideration and feedback from Channel 4’s drama commissioning editor Gwawr Lloyd.
Gwawr said: “Ensuring that the nations and the regions are represented in its dramas is a real priority for Channel 4.
“As a broadcaster, we have a history of discovering and nurturing new talent – it’s something that we are passionate about.
“Launching this scheme is a fantastic opportunity for the channel to identify talent from the region and to work with them to help us get authentic, original stories on screen - reflecting audiences back on themselves.
“It’s the perfect opportunity for the Channel 4 Bristol hub to collaborate with our local partners to give stories that matter the platform they deserve.”
Channel 4 opened the hub in 2019 after a high-profile campaign showcasing Bristol’s rich and diverse TV talent led by Mayor Marvin Rees and backed by the city’s media sector.
Bristol was chosen for one of the channel’s two creative hubs from more than 30 cities across the UK.
At the time Channel 4 said it was attracted to the city by its diverse talent pool and social mobility initiatives that aimed to bring new talent into the industry.
Mayor Rees said the TV Drama New Writers scheme was an exciting opportunity that reflected what could be achieved by having brought Channel 4 to Bristol by working closely with the UNESCO City of Film partners.
“It’s a fantastic scheme that demonstrates the value of the partnerships being forged in the creative sector and will strengthen the region’s writing talent-base, hopefully leading to new stories that represent the diversity of our city and the wider region reaching our screens as TV drama,” he said.
“Thank you to Channel 4, Bristol UNESCO City of Film and all the partners involved for joining forces to make this happen.”
Alice Cabanas, head of BFI NETWORK, which exists to discover and support talented writers, directors and producers at the start of their careers, said the scheme fed into its ambitions to upskill and support local writers, as well as encourage growth of the scripted TV drama and film sector in the South West.
“Watershed and our regional BFI NETWORK Talent Executives will be working with the other partners to ensure this scheme benefits the local writing community and platforms new perspectives,” she added
UWE Bristol assistant vice-chancellor creative and cultural industries engagement Lynn Barlow said: “Great writing underpins the success of the screen industry.
“Finding new stories and developing the skills of new writers are the first important steps in that success. UWE is delighted to be part of this partnership with Channel 4.”
Bristol was designated a UNESCO City of Film in 2017 in recognition of its achievements as a world-leader in the field of film and moving image.
The deadline for applications to the TV Drama New Writers scheme is midnight, Sunday 12 June 2022. For full details and how to apply, visit: https://bit.ly/3FCkLLw
