Creative Future Writers' Award Showcase
Find your next read at this year’s award showcase of under-represented writers, hosted by Nancy Campbell, Courttia Newland and Kieran Yates.
The Creative Future Writers’ Award is a development programme for talented writers from a wealth of backgrounds. It includes the UK’s only national writing competition for all under-represented writers, alongside workshops online and across the UK.
This year’s competition invited entries from poets, short story and creative non-fiction writers on the theme of ‘Material.’ At this event, the winning writers read their work, in an exciting showcase of new and emerging voices.
The 15 award-winning writers were selected by guest judges Nancy Campbell (Thunderstone), Courttia Newland (A River Called Time) and Kieran Yates (All The Houses I’ve Ever Lived In), alongside prizegivers Beth Brambling (Faber Academy), Jack Hadley (Curtis Brown Creative) and Aki Schilz (The Literary Consultancy).
The winners share £25,000 in cash and development prizes from leading literary partners, long-term support, and publication in an anthology which debuts at the showcase.
Presented in partnership with Creative Future
Need to know
This event is also available to watch via live stream.
Times & tickets
Dates, times and prices
Dates & times
30 Oct 2026, 6pm
Run time
2 hours (approx)
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Standard entry
from £11
Ticket prices may be adjusted without notice to reflect demand.
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For your visit
This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre
The Royal Festival Hall is open six days a week.
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
Plan your visit
The Royal Festival Hall is home to our largest auditorium as well as The Clore Ballroom, National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge, Festival Bar & Kitchen, Ballroom Cafe and Skylon restaurant.
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We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
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Food & drink
On Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace. You can grab a coffee and a slice of freshly made cake from our Ballroom Cafe. Or alternatively enjoy destination dining in the restaurant at Skylon.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.