A theatre festival that aims to promote emerging playwrights in South East London, is now welcoming submissions.

Write Now at the Brockley Jack Studio Theatre (BJST) has premièred the work of 18 new playwrights since launching in 2010, and is now looking for submissions for the 2016 event.

Kate Bannister, the Artistic Director of the BJST, said: “The writers’ experience is at the heart of the festival.

“Write Now is committed to supporting new playwrights, providing encouragement in the development of their scripts, and a platform for their work.

“Writers are welcomed and involved throughout the production process, from castings to rehearsals, and in design and publicity discussions.

“In previous years this month long festival has brought in over 50 theatre artists as playwrights, directors, actors and guest speakers to create the event.

“Thanks to Write Now our audience for new writing has increased, and each year it’s fantastic to see more young people visit the Jack through Write Now’s free ticket scheme for local 16 – 25 year olds.”

The chosen play will be given a full production for three weeks of the 2016 festival, and the writer must have a connection to South East London.

Previous winners of this process have gone on to have work developed by BBC writersroom, High Tide, and The Liverpool Everyman.

Kate Bannister continued: “We’re passionate about working with playwrights who engage with how we live today.

“In previous years our Write Now playwrights have confronted challenging issues, such as immigration, mental health, and cuts to community services.

“These are plays that generate debate.”

Submissions close on January 29 2016.

The festival also runs workshops for writers across the month.

Submissions for the 2016 Write Now Festival are now open. For more information, and to apply, click here.