BBC World Service International Audio Drama Competition Announces 2026 Winners

Image: Fiona Shaw CBE (centre) with the two winners, Idi Nasiru (left) and Finegan Kruckemeyer (right)

The BBC World Service has announced the winners of this year’s International Audio Drama Competition, following a huge response of more than 800 entries from 87 countries around the world.

Working in partnership with British Council and supported by an international panel of readers and judges, the competition celebrates outstanding storytelling and emerging voices in audio drama from across the globe.

As well as a cash prize, each winner receives the opportunity to turn their drama into a studio production made by the BBC.

The winners and commendations were officially announced at a special event hosted by Fiona Shaw CBE on 1 June at the Commonwealth Foundation, London. The event welcomed invited guests including professionals from theatre, literature, film, radio and the wider arts and culture sector.

At the event, guests heard exclusive preview excerpts from the winning dramas.

The 2026 winners included:

• English as a First Language Category:
  Here, on a High Hill by Finegan Kruckemayer (Australia)
  A moving and poetic drama in which four teenagers pass the time and reflect on life, in a graveyard in South West Ireland.
• English as a Second Language Category: Aisha’s Horizon by Idi Nasiru (Nigeria)
  The story of a young refugee woman’s perilous journey from northern Nigeria to Europe. After Aisha’s family is killed, she is pulled from the river by her uncle. Now in a refugee camp, she finds herself facing a marriage to a man she does not love. Instead, she decides instead to embark on a dangerous journey with the man she does. 

The prestigious Georgi Markov Award has been awarded to:

• There is Something I am Feeling by Rukshani Weerasooriya Wijemanne, Rushika Weerasooriya Heinle and Rajeev Colton (Sri Lanka)

Described by the judges as a beautifully told story about family, memory, and a country in a state of unrest, the play was praised for its emotional imagery and exquisite detail.

The BBC World Service International Audio Drama Competition continues to champion powerful storytelling and creative voices from every corner of the world, highlighting the enduring impact of audio drama on global audiences.

Simon Pitts, Commissioning Editor, BBC World Service, said: “Audio drama at the BBC is over 100 years old and is in fantastic health. I’m thrilled with the huge international response and the calibre of entries we have received for this year’s competition. The BBC World Service is proud to support and develop creative talent around the world.”

Neil Webb, Director Theatre and Dance, British Council, said: “At the British Council, we believe that sharing creative ideas across borders enriches us all. A huge thank you to everyone that entered the competition – I’ve been inspired to see how many writers from all over the world shared their stories with us and I can’t wait to hear our wonderful winners’ collaborations with the BBC World Service. I hope the forthcoming dramas inspire audiences and artists to explore audio drama and see the world in new ways.”

Commendations

Additional commendations were awarded to:

• 53 Minutes by Ayo Moore (Nigeria)
  A fast-paced black comedy following a man trapped in a collapsing apartment block while desperately trying not to miss an important business presentation.
• Men of Clay by Deirdre Callery (Ireland)
  An otherworldly tale unfolding over one late night in rural Ireland.
• A Spring Funeral by Aubree Wu (China)
  A hilarious and scandalous story of bitter family conflict.

Judging Panel

This year’s judging panel included:

• Simon Pitts, Commissioning Editor, BBC World Service
• Emma Harding, Executive Editor – Classical Music, Arts & Drama - BBC Audio Wales and West of England (Chair of judging panel)
• Cathy Gomez, Senior Relationship Manager, Theatre and Dance, British Council
• Iris Yamashita, Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and dramatist
• Janice Okoh, playwright, screenwriter and Bruntwood Prize winner
• Benjamin Abitan, writer and producer for Arte Radio and Radio France Culture, and multiple Prix Europa winner