The Phil Fox Award for Playwriting celebrates bold, original scripts exploring addiction’s complex narratives. Launched in 2020 to honour OETC’s founder, Phil Fox, the award invites playwrights from all backgrounds to submit works that illuminate addiction-related themes—stories that reach beyond stereotypes to explore addiction’s impact on lives and communities.
With each award cycle, we support rising playwrights and provide opportunities for stories to reach diverse audiences that might otherwise go untold.
The debut of the Phil Fox Award for playwriting in 2020 brought to light Lessons for Diving by Silas Parry, a story of family, resilience, and magic realism set in Grimsby. Parry, an early-career writer with a distinct voice, won a £6,000 commission and mentorship with award-winning playwright Enda Walsh, allowing him to further develop his play with OETC’s support.
In 2020, our judging panel included distinguished figures like Barbara Broccoli OBE, Indhu Rubasingham, and Simon Stephens, who selected the most compelling scripts from hundreds of entries. Alongside Parry’s winning script, two other finalists received Special Commendations, highlighting the strength and originality of submissions. Our vision for the award is to continue celebrating unique voices who challenge perceptions and bring new perspectives on addiction to the stage. We look forward to welcoming the next generation of bold storytellers in future competitions.
Find out more about the inaugural competition and stay tuned for future opportunities to make your mark.
Named in memory of Phil Fox, OETC’s founder and a passionate advocate for addiction awareness, this award focuses on addiction-related themes, but not just in the ways you might think. We welcome scripts exploring any form of addiction, whether chemical or behavioural, and even stories about those affected indirectly by someone else’s addiction. Through the Phil Fox Award for Playwriting, OETC aims to foster empathy and understanding by showcasing diverse perspectives on addiction in our society.
Inspired to write? We’re dedicated to running the Phil Fox Award again in the future, and we invite you to check back for updates! Join our mailing list to stay connected with OETC, receive news about the next award cycle and be ready when submissions open again. The stage is set for your story—be ready to bring it to life.
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