British Council is proud to partner with the BBC on the BBC World Service International Audio Drama Competition. Now in its 29th edition, the competition received more than 800 entries from 87 countries, with winners selected through a process involving the British Council and an international panel of readers and judges.
Huge congratulations to South Australian playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer, who won the English as a First Language category for his script Here, on a High Hill — a moving and poetic drama following four teenagers as they reflect on life in a graveyard in south-west Ireland.
Finegan has had works performed on every continent, with seasons at the Sydney Opera House, Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center. One of Australia's most internationally produced playwrights, he brings a distinctive lyrical sensibility to his work across theatre and now audio drama.
Congratulations also to Idi Nasiru (Nigeria), winner of the English as a Second Language category for Aisha's Horizon — a gripping drama following a young refugee woman whose journey begins after her family is killed, through life in a refugee camp and a dangerous route towards Europe. The Georgi Markov Award, which honours the script with the most outstanding potential from the shortlist, went to Rukshani Weerasooriya Wijemanne, Rushika Weerasooriya Heinle and Rajeev Colton from Sri Lanka for There is Something I am Feeling.
The winners were announced on 1 June at an event hosted by actor Fiona Shaw CBE at the Commonwealth Foundation in London, where guests heard preview excerpts from the winning dramas.
All three winning scripts will be produced by the BBC. Look out for the dramas on BBC World Service later this year.