“Screenplays are the most important part of any movie – regardless of how well you cast it and how well you put the project together. Without a great script you’re nowhere, this is the backbone of a film and I think we ignore and misrepresent how important screenwriters are …”

Stephen Woolley

Kaos Films launched the British Short Screenplay Competition (BSSC) in June 2001 in order to offer a platform to ‘young’ screenwriters, an opportunity that was not available at the time in the UK; a programme which would provide writers direct access to professional film makers.

And eight years on the BSSC has become known around the world as “the best and the most prestigious short screenplay competition in the world”.

“The British Short Screenplay Competition is a fantastic platform for screenwriters from across the globe and over the last seven years it has fast become the most prestigious short screenplay competition in the world. It is the only international short screenplay competition that guarantees to produce the winning script. I’m delighted to be on the judging panel.”

Kenneth Branagh

Now, in 2008, the BSSC is still the only writer-led programme in UK that puts the writer first.

“I have been involved with the British Short Screenplay Competition since its inception and have seen it grow into one of the best platforms for up and coming screenplay writers”.

Stephen Woolley

BSSC is the only place that offers writers access to the ‘A list’ of the British film industry. All the finalists are actually read by the judges, not their readers, not their assistants but personally by eminent film-makers like Kenneth Branagh, Sir Alan Parker and Stephen Woolley.

No other programme in the world offers such an opportunity - not in the UK not anywhere!

This opportunity is afforded to all – it’s open access - male, female, black or white, young or old, new or veteran. All screenplays are read anonymously.

Winners of the BSSC have ranged in age from twenty to sixty. There are men and women that have carried the accolade of winning the BSSC and they have come from across the world.

All screenplays are judged in six categories:

1. Plot/premise
2. Structure and pacing
3. Characterisation
4. Dialogue
5. Cinematic potential
6. Quality of writing

According to how it scores, a screenplay moves up into the next round.

A screenplay doesn’t have to score ten out of ten in each category to be the winner. BSSC often receives scripts with no dialogue; it does not mean they will receive zero marks in that category. The marks of each category carry the screenplay through to the next round.

Not only is Kaos Films committed to writers, but through its association with the National Film and Television School Kaos Films has created a bridge into the industry for their top graduate of the directing school. The graduate director is invited to direct one of the winning screenplays as their first professional engagement.

And our latest initiative with the John Brabourne Big 5 Award offers another ‘young’ director a fantastic opportunity to direct a winning script of the BSSC.

The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund (trade charity of the UK film and TV industry), has created a prestigious award named after one of Britain’s most prolific producers, John Brabourne. It aims to help galvanise the next generation of filmmakers in the UK and provide a launch platform for future British talent.

The John Brabourne Big 5 Award targets directors who are already experienced in creating commercials, promos, trailers, music or corporate videos but have yet to direct their first film. Applicants are required to submit their work by end of March 2008, with an initial shortlist announced by mid April. For the second stage of the competition, the short-listed directors will be asked to provide a treatment for the chosen script by early May. The winner of the 5 Award will be announced by 31 May 2008. The judging panel for the Big 5 Award includes CTBF Chairman Lord Attenborough and representatives from Working Title Films and Kaos Films amongst other industry figures.

The successful candidate will be presented with their award by Lord Attenborough at a high profile ceremony at St. James’ Palace in London on June 25th. The film will be completed in time for a BAFTA screening in January where 2009’s Big 5 Award will be announced.

“The Big 5 award is an incredible opportunity for a talented director looking to make their first professional film. It’s wonderful to see the film industry working together and supporting the CTBF by contributing to this.”

Lord Puttnam

The Big 5 Award is sponsored by Arri, Kaos Films, Kodak, Pinewood Studios Group and Technicolor. Kaos Films will produce the film with the winning director. Full details of this initiative and how to apply can be found on the John Brabourne Award page.