The Beeta Universal Arts Foundation (BUAF) has announced the 7th edition of its Beeta Playwright Competition (BPC), one of Africa’s leading talent platforms for emerging writers. This year introduces a significant update: all entrants must attend a compulsory virtual workshop before submitting their plays.
Bikiya Graham-Douglas, Founder of BUAF, said, “This is more than a competition, it’s a platform for growth, for learning, and for launching careers. Every year, we see incredible stories that have the potential to impact the world. With the digital age opening new frontiers for storytelling, the 2025 theme challenges writers to imagine bolder, connect deeper, and think globally.”
Themed “Connected Realities: A Closer World in a Digital Age,” the 2025 competition asks playwrights to explore the complexities of human connection in a digital era. The pre-submission workshop, led by internationally recognised playwright Dipo Agboluaje, aims to support new writers with industry insight and creative structure.
Registration for the workshop closes on 30 August 2025, and the deadline for final submissions is 30 September 2025. The competition is supported by long-standing partners including Chairborne, MTN Foundation, Five2Media, and Paperworth Books. The judging panel features Professor Ahmed Yerima (Chairman), Dr Shaibu Husseini, Ego Boyo, Ibiso Graham-Douglas, Kenneth Uphopho, and Ayo Jaiyesimi, figures drawn from the theatre, publishing, and media industries. Winners will receive a cash prize, publication, and a professional stage production.
Folakemi Philips, BUAF’s Brand Communications Lead, said, “The introduction of a mandatory pre-submission workshop ensures that every aspiring playwright has access to professional guidance, industry insights, and artistic structure. It’s a powerful leveller that not only improves the quality of submissions but also enriches the entire ecosystem of African theatre.”
