The BIFA qualifying Short Com Film and Animation Festival have opened their doors once more for TV sitcom script submissions for its fifth consecutive edition of its writing competition. Last year it broke its record for number of submissions. 

Founder Chris Aitken said: ‘I hate to somewhat repeat myself about how pleased we are about how the competition has gone from strength to strength each year. But it’s just the way it feels. The aims are still the same. We just want to find the best new and emerging comedy writing talent and try to help them progress in their career and get some helpful attention. Our principles are still the same. We value the quality of writing ahead of how marketable an idea is. It doesn’t matter what credentials someone might have or what other competitions they might have been a finalist in (even our own). Each year is a blank slate. We judge the quality of the script’s writing first and foremost. That’s the number one principle we stick to. It’s possibly what makes us the hardest writing competition. So if you make our SHORT LIST. It should hopefully mean something.'

Judges will include Bertie Peek from Rough Cut TV and Magdalene Bird from PBJ Management. 

Submissions are now open with the early bird deadline on the 22nd April, regular deadline the 14th of June with the final deadline on 12th of July.

Anyone seeking feedback as early as possible post the final deadline should enter as soon as they can.

Previous entrants will receive £5 off entry from the regular deadline.

Entry rules and how to enter can be found on the page at https://www.shortcom.org/script-competition