Submissions have been invited from today by the BBC for short form comedies. Here is what they say:

Short-form is a place for both new and established talent - writers, performers, producers, directors and companies - to experiment, develop and showcase exciting new worlds and memorable comedy characters. This is where you can take your first steps into development with BBC Comedy, and work with us on characters and ideas that can potentially grow into longform.

We’re excited about ideas and characters that make audiences feel seen, and worlds that are so irresistible that they suck us in and leave audiences championing them. We want ideas that are not bound to channel expectations, but centre on originality and experimentation.

We have two strands open to UK based poduction companies:

Character development:

Non-TX and low cost development - aimed at writer/performers to try things out away from audience pressures and broadcast expectation.

Short films:

More fully formed and for showing-off work - low-cost comedy tariff for TX on iPlayer and other BBC platforms

Please note both opportunities are open to UK based production companies only. 

Submissions for both opportunities are now open. Find out more below and watch a short film of Head of Development Navi Lamba and Commissioning Editor Emma Lawson discuss short-form opportunities at the BBC Comedy Festival in Newcastle.

We are joining up with BBC Comedy teams in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales on this new initiative, to find and support the best comedy talent across the UK. We'll also be hosting regular BBC Comedy Short Film nights around the UK where we will encourage people interested in working in short-form to see and showcase work and meet potential new collaborators. Watch this space for more information.

Character development brief

Character development will be offered as a first point of call for 1) new to screen talent, perhaps developing a character from stage or social platforms or 2) for more established talent who are keen to work with us to try out something new. This is a space for writer/performers to flex their muscles, and they should be seen as a low-risk way to develop comedy characters to see what works, and equally what doesn’t!

This should be the start of your development journey with us. So, we’re not looking for fully fleshed out stories here with a beginning, middle or end. We’re not looking for high production values at all, you can film this on an iPhone and edit it on your laptop, in fact it’s highly encouraged!

We are looking for your tape to demonstrate who your character is - what do they care about? What are their motivations? Show us a glimpse into their world - a singular portrait to showcase your comedy character and highlight what makes them stand out. And most importantly show us what makes them funny.

Think: This Country digital shorts, People Just Do Nothing shorts

What to include in your pitch

• a summary of your character: who are they? what do they care about? what are their motivation? who else is in their world/space? why are they special?
• include a video or visual rep your character / performer – with a time limit of 3mins. Not looking for high production values, it could be a link to their stand-up, social clip or other material they have done before. It doesn’t need to be the specific character you are pitching.

How to pitch

Email pitch content to [email protected] and please include 'Character development' in the subject line.

Please note this opportunity is open to UK based production companies only.

Short films brief

Short films are designed to give writers, producers and directors an opportunity to bring their comedy ideas to life and be showcased on BBC platforms.

Are you a theatre or music video director looking to move into narrative comedy? A comedy writer who hasn’t had a commissioned work as yet? A new producer or production company looking to increase their broadcast credits and comedy roster? Or are you a more established creative who is looking to try a new collaboration?

We’re looking for standalone ideas that have a beginning middle and end. They should not be treated as pilots or sketches, but as self-contained, brilliantly funny, and original short films with the premium feel of the films that have inspired us on the festival circuit or Vimeo’s Staff Picks. This new strand will showcase the best and most exciting comedy talent from around the UK.

Think: Brian and Charles, Neville is Dead, LOCK OFF, Greasy Spoon, Pregnant Pause

What to include in your pitch

• a one page treatment featuring a summary of the film/tone/key performers and behind the scenes talent ie writer/producer/director
• a sample scene from the proposed short film

How to pitch

Email pitch content to [email protected] and please include 'Short film' in the subject line.

Please note this opportunity is open to UK based production companies only.