The International Audio Drama Competition 2026

The International Audio Drama Competition – a partnership between the BBC World Service and the British Council – is a global competition offering a unique opportunity for writers from outside the UK to use the medium of audio drama to reach an international audience. The judges for the 2026 Competition were delighted to make their final selection from more than 800 entries from 87 countries around the world.

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

The 2026 winners are:

English as a first language

Here, on a High Hill by Finegan Kruckemeyer (Australia)

A moving and poetic drama in which four teenagers pass the time and reflect on life, in a graveyard in southwest Ireland.

English as a second language

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.

Special Commendation (Georgi Markov Award)

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.

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:

• Emma Harding, executive editor – classical music, arts & drama - BBC Audio Wales and West of England (and Chair of judging panel)
• Simon Pitts, commissioning editor, BBC World Service
• 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

The International Audio Drama Competition is run by BBC World Service and the British Council.