CHANNEL 4 SCREENWRITING COURSE 2027
I’m delighted to be able to announce the running of this course again in 2027 – the 17th year we’ve run the course.
The entry submission period for scripts will run from 9am on Monday September 21st to 5pm on Monday October 5th.
The only way to enter is digitally via the entry portal on the Channel 4 screenwriting course page on my website – https://script-consultant.co.uk/channel-4-screenwriting-course/
And we can’t accept any late entries.
There is an extensive FAQs section that has been added to and adapted over many years so this hopefully will answer any queries you may have.
I can’t enter into any correspondence during the entry period – my time is more usefully spent reading the submissions.
The course is free to enter. And if you get one of the 12 places on the course, we pay you a fee for participating.
We also run a mentorship scheme alongside the main course in which we pair 12 further writers with an industry mentor for the 6 months of the course.
I want to say a massive thank you to the Channel 4 Drama Department for continuing to support the course over so many years.
So, the big question – who / what are we looking for?
We ask you to submit a script, the logline for that script and a CV. The CV should tell us about your writing experience but it can also tell us about who you are more broadly – your other work, your interests – it’s great to get a fuller sense of the person behind the script. In effect your CV is a pitch for you both as a person and writer. In general, the CV only really becomes important if and when you’re short-listed and we’re trying to come up with the right combination of writers for the course. But please try to make sure that your CV is targeted specifically for this application.
Diversity, in all its forms, is a key aspect of the course. Diversity in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, background, regionality, sexuality, politics, etc. The course every year prides itself on having as broad a range of voices as possible across the 12 writers. We are looking for writers who are telling distinctive, unique stories. Stories only that writer could tell. We’re not averse to ‘genre’ scripts (eg crime, medical, horror, rom-com) but if you submit a ‘genre’ script, you need to be sure it has an utterly distinctive voice or angle to it. We are looking for writers with something of a Channel 4 Drama sensibility – although this is a hard thing to pin down, it generally means that your script will be provocative, challenging, distinctive and original. We are open to comedy as well as drama scripts. And we are open to radio plays and theatre plays as well as film screenplays and TV scripts.
Logline – we limit you to a maximum of 50 words in this section but this is important. The logline should be a compelling, entertaining and accurate (!) description of the script you submit. Hopefully this logline will articulate the knotty dramatic dilemma at the heart of your story Not always but very often, the best scripts have the most compelling logline. Is there a powerful narrative hook to the story you’re submitting?
One new thing to add to the entry criteria – if a script looks like it has been (even partially) written with the use of AI, it will not be considered.
Please don’t leave your entry to the last minute. This will cause you unnecessary stress if the website slows down for the large amount of incoming traffic. As above, we won’t accept late entries.
A final reminder – you cannot submit a script that you have already submitted in previous years – even if this is a significantly rewritten version.
Finally, here’s a link to the equivalent newsletter I sent out this time a year ago – all of this information still applies too!
https://script-consultant.co.uk/channel-4-screenwriting-course-2026-entry-information/
OTHER COURSES
SCRIPT READING AND DEVELOPMENT Q&A Thursday September 24th 6-8.30pm on zoom.
I am now taking bookings for the next SCRIPT READING & DEVELOPMENT Q&A.
This is an opportunity to look deeper into work as a script reader, development executive, script editor, etc and to discuss your plans for getting or increasing work in this sector – as well as a chance to meet other like-minded people in an informal setting.
A semi-regular zoom Q&A for a maximum of 8 delegates – for anyone interested in breaking into the world of script reading, script development, script editing etc; and the chance to become part of an exclusive WhatsApp group.
https://script-consultant.co.uk/script-reading-development-qa/
ARVON TUTORED RETREAT: SCREENWRITING Totleigh Barton Sept 28th – Oct 3rd 2026
A chance to work on your screenplay supported by myself and screenwriter THARA POPOOLA (Sex Education, Queenie, Dreaming Whilst Black, Pierre) with fellow writers in a glorious rural setting.
https://www.arvon.org/writing-courses/courses-retreats/tutored-retreat-screenwriting-2/
ONE DAY SCREENWRITING COURSE, LONDON, November 14th 2026
https://script-consultant.co.uk/one-day-screenwriting-course/
I will be running a ONE DAY SCREENWRTING COURSE in central London on Saturday November 14th.
My two guest speakers on this course are both 2026 BAFTA-winning screenwriters –
CATHERINE MOULTON, whose show CODE OF SILENCE won the Best TV Drama Series award and
ARCHIE MADDOCKS, who won the Children’s Scripted award for CRONGTON which he writes and also stars in.
(Both are also alumni of the Channel 4 screenwriting course).
This one day course is suitable for both novice screenwriters and more experienced writers looking for a refresher or burst of inspiration.
The course will be immediately followed by networking drinks in a nearby pub, a chance for everyone to share writing experiences and carry on the conversation.
*As part of the course, you will receive a bumper package of handouts, specifically designed and written for this course; and a FREE copy of my book, SCREENWRITING, THE CRAFT AND THE CAREER (published by Nick Hern Books).
More information about the course, the guest speakers and how to book on my website –
https://script-consultant.co.uk/one-day-screenwriting-course/
And another course in which I’m not involved but that sounds excellent! –
ARVON SCREENWRITING PROGRAMME
Calling all screenwriters! 📣 Arvon’s new Screenwriting Programme is a fully funded, two-year opportunity for emerging screenwriters from working-class and lower socio-economic backgrounds. Five writers will receive residential writing courses, one-to-one mentoring, masterclasses and industry access, all free, with travel costs covered.
Are you an emerging screenwriter with a strong voice and a compelling story for TV? Arvon’s Screenwriting Programme is a new talent development programme for emerging screenwriters from working-class and lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Over two years, Arvon will support five screenwriters to attend three Arvon screenwriting weeks, online courses and one-to-one mentoring, working towards completing a spec script.
You’ll gain vital insight into the TV industry, supported by professional screenwriters and a script editor, have your work performed by professional actors, and get practical guidance from casting directors, agents and producers.
The programme is fully funded, with additional funding for travel and to support time away from home.
Applications close Wednesday 30 September 2026. Find out more: arvon.org/asp
The next newsletter will be with you on Friday September 25th.
I look forward to reading and receiving your 4screenwriting applications,
Good luck!
Phil
PHILIP SHELLEY
Friday September 11th 2026