The 2026/7 Derek Jacobi Playwriting award

The prestigious Sir Derek Jacobi Award – named after the NDFA Patron – is sponsored by Stagescripts, and is a competition that is open to the writer of any unpublished, self-penned play that will have been performed in an NDFA-affiliated festival between 18th May 2026 and 18th May 2027, and has been recommended for submission by the adjudicator.

What do we mean by ‘recommended for submission by the adjudicator?’

If you’re participating at an NDFA-affiliated festival with an original script, and your script has won or been nominated for the ‘Best Original Script’ award if that category exists, then you’re eligible to enter.

If such a category doesn’t exist, then ask your festival organiser whether or not the Adjudicator will recommend your script for inclusion.

The winner will receive:

A cheque for £250 from Stagescripts

A publishing deal with Stagescripts

An engraved trophy

The offer of a Studio Spotlight at the 2027 National Drama Festival.

2 Full Festival Passes for the 2027 National Drama Festival (worth at least £45 each)

Bottle of champagne

Every other entrant will receive:

2 session tickets for the 2027 National Drama Festival

Important dates for the 2026/27 festival season are:

18th May 2026 – 18th May 2027: play to have been performed at an NDFA-affiliated festival

19th May 2027: submission deadline

Mid June: winner and all entrants will be told whether or not they have won. Winner publicly announced.

July: winner involved in the National Drama Festival

A few other things you need to know …

The cost per entry is £20, which must be returned with the Entry Form

To be valid, the nomination must be recommended by the festival adjudicator, stating that in their view the play is worthy of consideration.

For the avoidance of doubt, it is the play, not the production, which is being considered.

Entries will then be considered by a three-person panel (not associated with the NDFA) with a wide experience of play writing and drama festivals.

Read about the winner of the 2026 Derek Jacobi Playwriting award: Ste Mc with his play ‘Killing Time’.

"Winning the Derek Jacobi Award truly feels like a “wow” moment for me. After nearly eight years of writing, I often find myself battling that persistent inner voice urging me to give up, questioning whether my work is good enough. Receiving this award provides a sense of validation and gives me the confidence to silence those doubts—at least for a while."

"The sharp edgy - often overlapping - dialogue suits the intense situation and the characters - while the play has been shaped intelligently building to several well-plotted climaxes."