If you are aged 18 - 30 and interested in learning how to write and create short digital plays designed for social media platforms, we want to hear from you.

Applications are open for National Young Writers 2025, a free online course delivered by Pentabus, the nation's rural touring theatre company, and award-winning production company Rural Media. Through collaborative and dynamic online learning, young writers explore how to write and produce brilliant short plays for digital platforms.

During the course, you will:

• take part in a 7 online evening workshops, and be offered a number of 1-2-1 sessions, led by experienced writers, directors and producers.
• explore how to construct characters, build scenes, create tension and write dialogue
• be supported to develop and write an original short script, and be given a budget to produce your work in a digital format
• film your work easily on your mobile phone and see it performed by professional actors.
• write 3 x 90 second, individual pieces, specifically for social media. (The 3 x pieces can be connected by an issue or theme or location)
• Be signposted, where possible, to further opportunities to develop your craft
• Be invited to a free Screen Writing Masterclass with Grant Black (Rural Media)

By the end of the course, you will have written and produced 3 short films that appeal to wide digital audiences and showcase your creativity. These films will be released across Pentabus' and Rural Media's digital platforms as part of a celebration of young people's writing in October 2025.

Former Pentabus Young Writers have gone on to Olivier Award nominations, and last year National Young Writers projects gained over 500,000 views on TikTok alone. Click here to watch last year's pieces.