Felix Dexter Bursary open for BAME writers
Applications are now open for the fourth Felix Dexter Bursary for BAME writers, to train an aspiring comedy writer or duo to develop their skills at the BBC and via virtual industry placements.
The scheme is run by BBC Comedy in partnership with the BBC Comedy Association (BCA), and is designed to find writers with a fresh, unique point of view, while making a positive intervention to address an under-representation of BAME professionals in comedy production across all broadcasting.
The first Felix Dexter Bursary was launched in 2017 after Paul Whitehouse, Trustee of the Felix Dexter Foundation, and Shane Allen, Director of BBC Comedy Commissioning, agreed that supporting and encouraging writers from an ethnic minority background would be a fitting tribute to the late comedy actor and writer, who featured in BBC comedies including The Fast Show and The Real McCoy.
Last year’s recipient was stand-up comedian Athena Kugblenu. who said: “The bursary was the catalyst to my career as a writer and performer becoming full-time. Being endorsed by such a prestigious scheme massively improved my confidence as a writer. However, it was the practical aspects - the time to work on a pilot, the notes from BBC comedy commissioning editors and meetings with industry etc that helped develop my craft to the professional standard that has allowed me to work on shows post bursary, like The Lenny Henry Show, The Russell Howard Hour, Newsjack, The Now Show and Dead Ringers.”
The first Felix Dexter Bursary was launched in 2017 after Paul Whitehouse, Trustee of the Felix Dexter Foundation, and Shane Allen, Director of BBC Comedy Commissioning, agreed that supporting and encouraging writers from an ethnic minority background would be a fitting tribute to the late comedy actor and writer, who featured in iconic BBC comedies including The Fast Show and The Real McCoy.
Sarah Asante, BBC commissioning editor for comedy, commented: “I’m very excited that we’re going for a fourth time. As I said last year, every cohort so far has exceeded expectation so the sky is the limit for what can happen in the coming year.
"We have gathered so much industry support and buy-in; I feel like a proud aunt when industry movers and shakers let me know they’ve had a great meeting with or booked one of our bursary writers for a gig. It’s a real testament to their hard work and the cachet we can offer them via the access they gain on this course.”
Paul Whitehouse added: “I’m really glad that this BBC bursary is launching again in Felix Dexter’s name. Felix was a force of nature. His comedy was wholehearted, sublime and unpredictable. That such a brilliant figure should be remembered and honoured like this, by encouraging talent from the BAME community, is a fitting tribute to him.”
The bursary is open to black, Asian and other ethnic minority writers or writing duos who are aged 18 or over. Applications can be made via the BBC Comedy Commissioning website; applications close on Friday 19 March 2021.
Felix Dexter image via BBC.
Also on The Knowledge
We Hunt Together 2 films in Wales
Cameras have just started to roll in Wales on the second series of We Hunt Together, starring Eve Myles, Babou Ceesay and Hermione Corfield.
Bridgerton, Call the Midwife win double orders
Netflix and BBC One have doubled down on new series commissions of Bridgerton and Call the Midwife respectively.
Chloe begins Bristol filming
Filming is due to get underway in Bristol this week on Chloe, a 6 x 60 drama for BBC One.
TV adaptation course open for writers
The National Film and Television School (NFTS) is running a two-week online course on the art of adaptation, with the chance to pitch your idea to a head of development at All3Media.
The Rig starts filming in Scotland for Amazon
Amazon’s first scripted series to shoot exclusively in Scotland, The Rig, begins filming today, 29th March, on an oil rig and at First Stage Studios in Edinburgh.
Filming begins on second series of Jerk
Filming begins in London today (29 March) on a second series of Jerk starring Tim Renkow.
