This award, established in 1994, perpetuates the memory of Richard Imison to acknowledge the encouragement, support and friendship he invariably gave to all writers, and particularly those working in the medium of radio.
The purpose of the Award is to encourage new talent and high standards in writing for radio, and it is awarded for the best original radio drama script by a writer new to radio.
Bill Nighy, patron of the Award, says:
'Acting on the radio was my apprenticeship when I was young and if anything should threaten BBC Radio 4, I would have to consider leaving the country. Radio is an essential part of our cultural identity and radio plays are mysterious and cool.'
The 2012 Award
Submissions will be accepted from any party (production, broadcasting organisation, producer or independent production company, editor, writer, writer's agent, etc.).
Eligibility
Any radio drama broadcast within the United Kingdom over 2011 and scheduled for transmission to 30 June 2012 by a writer (or writers) new to radio. The work must be an original piece for radio, and it must be the first dramatic work by the writer or writers that has been broadcast. It may also include the first episode from an original series or serial. We would like to hear all 5 episodes of any Woman's Hour serial that is submitted.
An adaptation for radio of a piece originally written for any other medium e.g. stage, television, film, novel, poem or a short story will not be eligible.
Submissions
Submissions for the award must consist of:
a completed nomination form as well as three copies of the writer's original script and recording of the broadcast. Further copies may be requested.
Each submission should be accompanied by a supporting statement, synopsis and author biography (each no more than 250 words). Please email text to JMccrum@societyofauthors.org
Entries will not be returned and should be sent to:
Jo McCrum, The Society of Authors, 84 Drayton Gardens, London, SW10 9SB.
Deadline for entries: Friday 10 February 2012.
Download the guidelines and entry form
For further information about the Imison Award please contact Jo McCrum (tel: 020 7373 6642).
Imison Award 2011
The winner was announced on Sunday 29 January 2012 as part of the BBC Audio Drama Awards in the Radio Theatre at BBC Broadcasting House. The award was announced and presented by playwright and Guild President, David Edgar.
The winner
Amazing Grace by Michelle Lipton.
The shortlist
Pictured L-R: Matt Hartley, Marcia Layne, Dan Allum, Michelle Lipton.
Atching Tan by Dan Allum
The Pursuit by Matt Hartley
The Barber and the Ark by Marcia Layne
Amazing Grace by Michelle Lipton
We are grateful to the Peggy Ramsay Foundation for providing the £1,500 prize money.