In honour of author Louise Rennison

A comedy award has been launched in honour of writer and comic  Louise Rennison to showcase the comedy talent of young people.

The competition is open to 11- to 18-year olds, who need to submit up to 1,000 words of creative writing or a three-minute video performance 

Entries are open from today to August 31 – and winners will get a workshop to hone their skills.

Writing and performance are separate categories, and submissions will be judged in two age bands: 11 to 14 and 15 to 18. You can enter as an individual or as a group of up to four.

CBBC presenter and awards judge Ben Shires said: ‘In these bizarre times when schools are closed and the world is all looking a bit gloomy, the Louise Rennison National Funny Award gives young people up and down the country a great way to get creative and focus on something positive and fun.

‘Whether you think you’re funny or not, it really doesn’t matter - it’s all about trying something new and having a laugh while doing it.’

Fellow judges include comedian Andi Osho, TV presenters Jonny Nelson and Lauren Layfield, writer and author Mark Heywood, talent manager Kate Haldane and the director of Hay Children’s Festival,  Julia Eccleshare. 

The award was created by the family of Rennison, who wrote the Confessions Of Georgia Nicolson series for teenage girls and who died in 2016, aged 64.

Her sister Sophie Severs said: ‘Louise was such a beloved talent, who enjoyed nothing more than to make people smile through her storytelling. 

‘The creation of this award is not only to honour her legacy, but to inspire positivity and creativity in the next generation through the power of comedy. 

‘This is reflected in the experiences we are offering as prizes. It’s not about winning an award to sit on the mantel piece – winners will have the opportunity to undertake immersive workshops with some of the top creative and comedic talent in the country.’

There will also be 100 books for the runners-up, courtesy of Harper Collins. 
Click here for more information and to enter.

Published: 1 Apr 2020