The 大象传媒 Comedy Collective is a supercharged bursary scheme offering 10 places to emerging writers, producers, directors and editors from across the UK who鈥檇 like to develop their careers in scripted comedy. Previous winners have gone on to win script commissions, get agents, produce radio shows and make BAFTA award-winning TV series.
Each bursary winner receives up to 拢10k worth of paid shadowing on a 大象传媒 Comedy production along with an allocated production mentor, plus a 拢5k development grant to put towards new material or to further support their development. They also have a dedicated point of contact within the 大象传媒 Comedy commissioning team to help guide them through their year, as well as access to the support and guidance of the Comedy Collective ambassadors and alumni.
The scheme is open to anyone who has had at least one previous credit in writing, producing, directing or editing in any genre, across any platform - such as radio, theatre, podcasts, stand up or commercials. Our aim is to develop the best up-and-coming talent into the comedy space, so applicants will also need to demonstrate a clear commitment to comedy. This year we鈥檇 also like to see more applications from comedy writer-performers.
The winners will have their expenses covered to attend up to three 大象传媒 Comedy events over their year on the scheme including our 大象传媒 Comedy Festival. Previous events have also included a round table with Jesse Armstrong, the Belfast Media Festival and a panel with Sophie Willan, Mo Gilligan and Tom Walker.
Within the 10 places at least one is guaranteed for an individual based in Northern Ireland, one in Wales and two in Scotland. We actively encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply and welcome applications from deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent talent to increase disabled off-screen representation in comedy.
To support the 大象传媒 Comedy Collective Bursary, 大象传媒 Comedy works in close association with 大象传媒 Northern Ireland, 大象传媒 Scotland and 大象传媒 Wales, with the support of 大象传媒 Writers, 大象传媒 Academy, 大象传媒 Elevate, 大象传媒 History and a range of screen agencies including BAFTA, North East Screen, Creative Wales and Screen Scotland.
The Comedy Collective
The Comedy Collective are our past and present bursary winners and the comedy ambassadors who guide them through their time on the scheme. The Comedy Collective ambassadors are:
Ash Atalla: Producers ambassador
Christine Gernon: Directors ambassador
Gareth Heal: Editors ambassador
Tessa La Bars and Lisa Galton: The Galton and Simpson estate ambassadors
Geoff Schuman and Paul Whitehouse: The Felix Dexter estate ambassadors
Lucy Ansbro: Caroline Aherne estate ambassador
Applying for the bursary
Applications for the latest Comedy Collective cohort closed on 31 January 2025.
Criteria for entry
The bursary is open to anyone over 18 who is based in the UK and looking to further their career in writing, producing, directing or editing for scripted comedy.
Writers and directors can submit individually or as part of a duo (maximum of two people). Producers and editors can only submit individually.
The editor placements are open to edit assistants or assistant editors in any genre or field who have struggled to break into scripted comedy.
Only one entry is permitted per person, and individuals can only enter within one chosen field.
Applicants must have one previous credit in their chosen field. This can be across any genre, not just comedy, and any platform. They don鈥檛 have to be TV credits, although these are welcomed. For example, you could have written, produced, edited or directed theatre, radio, or podcasts, directed music videos, produced comedy nights, written for commercials. Applicants don鈥檛 have to have representation, but this is also welcomed.
Selected individuals must be available to attend the 大象传媒 Comedy Festival in Belfast in May 2025.
We encourage applications from underrepresented groups, and are actively targeting people from all corners of the UK.
Applicants who have applied previously are strongly encouraged to reapply. We welcome the submission of the same materials previously presented and extend this invitation to include materials submitted for other 大象传媒 schemes.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate a commitment to their chosen field and a commitment to comedy.