Red Planet Prize 2012 opens for entries

Kudos and Red Planet Pictures have today launched the Red Planet Prize 2012, after the entry from one of this year's finalists was made into hit BBC series Death In Paradise.

First launched in 2007, the annual prize organised by the two indies searches for talented new writers wanting to break into the TV industry.

Among the 2011 finalists was Robert Thorogood, whose Death In Paradise drama was commissioned for BBC One and attracted 5.75m viewers for its premiere last month.

Two further finalists, Chris Lindsay and Malcolm McGonigle, were also mentored on Red Planet's mentoring scheme, before joining the writing team behind Kudos' children's drama MI High.

Red Planet Pictures managing director Tony Jordan will again lead the judging panel for the 2012 competition, assisted by Kudos chief executive Jane Featherstone and BBC Wales head of drama Faith Pehale, among others.

The selection and mentoring process will be handled by Red Planet head of development Simon Winstone, along with Kudos executive producers Alison Jackson and Karen Wilson.

Winner of the Red Planet Prize 2012 will receive a £5,000 cash prize and all of the finalists will get a place on the Red Planet and Kudos structured mentoring scheme.

Winstone said: "The Red Planet Prize is not only about discovering new voices, but also finding ways for fresh talent to make a mark in a demanding industry. Robert and the others who have found work through the competition show potential entrants that this can be done."

Jackson added: "We are thrilled to be involved in the prize for a second year running after such a successful scheme last year.

"At Kudos we are committed to nurturing new talent and it's been fantastic for us to see last year's group grow in strength and confidence and even work on some of our shows. We very much look forward to welcoming and working with the new mentoring intake this year."

The Red Planet Prize 2012 is open to anyone in the UK and entrants must submit the first ten pages of an original 60-minute script with a short synopsis. The closing date is January 16, 2012.