Irish born Australian playwright and author Finegan Kruckemeyer has been announced as a winner at The BBC World Service’s 2026 International Audio Drama Competition. The competition received more than 800 entries from 87 countries around the world and celebrates outstanding storytelling and emerging voices in audio drama from across the globe.
Finegan won in the English as a First Language Category for a moving and poetic drama called Here, on a High Hill in which four teenagers pass the time and reflect on life, in a graveyard in South West Ireland. He received a cash prize and the opportunity to turn his work into a studio production made by the BBC.
The winners and commendations were officially announced at a special event hosted by Fiona Shaw CBE on June 1 at the Commonwealth Foundation, London.
Other winners included:
- English as a Second Language Category: Aisha’s Horizon by Idi Nasiru (Nigeria)
The story of a young refugee woman’s perilous journey from northern Nigeria to Europe. After Aisha’s family is killed, she is pulled from the river by her uncle. Now in a refugee camp, she finds herself facing a marriage to a man she does not love. Instead, she decides instead to embark on a dangerous journey with the man she does. - The Georgi Markov Award: There is Something I am Feeling by Rukshani Weerasooriya Wijemanne, Rushika Weerasooriya Heinle and Rajeev Colton (Sri Lanka)
- Described by the judges as a beautifully told story about family, memory, and a country in a state of unrest, the play was praised for its emotional imagery and exquisite detail.
Simon Pitts, Commissioning Editor, BBC World Service, said:
“Audio drama at the BBC is over 100 years old and is in fantastic health. I’m thrilled with the huge international response and the calibre of entries we have received for this year’s competition. The BBC World Service is proud to support and develop creative talent around the world.”
Neil Webb, Director Theatre and Dance, British Council, said:
“At the British Council, we believe that sharing creative ideas across borders enriches us all. A huge thank you to everyone that entered the competition – I’ve been inspired to see how many writers from all over the world shared their stories with us and I can’t wait to hear our wonderful winners’ collaborations with the BBC World Service. I hope the forthcoming dramas inspire audiences and artists to explore audio drama and see the world in new ways.”
This year’s judging panel included:
- Simon Pitts, Commissioning Editor, BBC World Service
- Emma Harding, Executive Editor – Classical Music, Arts & Drama – BBC Audio Wales and West of England (Chair of judging panel)
- Cathy Gomez, Senior Relationship Manager, Theatre and Dance, British Council
- Iris Yamashita, Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and dramatist
- Janice Okoh, playwright, screenwriter and Bruntwood Prize winner
- Benjamin Abitan, writer and producer for Arte Radio and Radio France Culture, and multiple Prix Europa winner
Pictured: Fiona Shaw CBE (centre) with the two winners, Idi Nasiru (left) and Finegan Kruckemeyer (right). Image by Anna Gordon