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Launched in March 2012 as a partnership between  Drama,  & 鲍鱼tv Writers at the opening of Roath Lock studios, the  was the first writer鈥檚 award in Wales for a drama in any medium.

 have received 拢10,000, and an opportunity to develop their script and work closely with both 鲍鱼tv Cymru Wales and National Theatre Wales.

The Wales Drama Award 2016

William Smith is the winner of the Wales Drama Award 2016, it was announced at a ceremony held on 22nd November 2016 at Yr Hen Lyfrgell in Cardiff. He will receive 拢10,000 and the opportunity to develop his work with 鲍鱼tv Cymru Wales, 鲍鱼tv Writers and National Theatre Wales. 

Swansea-born William graduated from the University of Wales, Newport with a degree in Film Studies in 2010. Since graduating he wrote the short film King of The Castle, which was made as part of the It's My Shout scheme and broadcast on 鲍鱼tv2 Wales in 2011, and Lift Jockeys, a short film produced in 2014. In addition to writing in his spare time, he鈥檚 previously worked as a producer and presenter for Radio Cardiff, as well as an office administrator. He now lives in Cardiff.

The three other finalists for the 2016 award were Hardey Speight, Jonathan Jones and Bethan Marlow. 

Over 250 writers, either born or based in Wales, submitted their work in July 2016, from which 鲍鱼tv Writers along with input from professional television and theatre readers drew up a shortlist of eight. From these eight writers four finalists were selected by a panel of judges, including Julie Gardner MBE, producer and co-founder of Bad Wolf, Kully Thiarai, Artistic Director of National Theatre Wales, Anne Edyvean, Head of 鲍鱼tv Writers and Bethan Jones, Executive Producer 鲍鱼tv Drama. 

Anne Edyvean from 鲍鱼tv Writers, said: 鈥�William's writing keeps you turning the pages - hooked in by skilled storytelling and great visual images. William is drawn to telling stories set in worlds that are in some way different to our own, but familiar enough to resonate with the audience - his settings are often 鈥榃hat if......?鈥欌�� 

Bethan Jones, Executive Producer for 鲍鱼tv Drama said: "This award is a way to ensure writers are able to afford to carve out time to write and have support to develop their work. It鈥檚 great to be able to support William Smith鈥檚 huge potential. But it also draws the industry鈥檚 attention to the potential of other voices, the shortlisted winners as well as others who didn鈥檛 quite make it through the process.鈥� 

Kully Thiarai, Artistic Director of National Theatre Wales, said: "William is a wonderful storyteller who clearly has a passion for, and a commitment to, writing rich and complex characters and narratives. He is undoubtedly a talent to watch. It will be very exciting to see what he goes on to produce, and how his win will inspire other writers in Wales in the future."  

Julie Gardner MBE, producer and co-founder of Bad Wolf, said: 鈥�William Smith鈥檚 RESIDUE is a compelling study of two teens鈥� battle for survival in a post-apocalyptic world. The landscape is often domestic and recognisable and so the terror and danger are all the more potent. William weaves an often exciting, yet emotional tale. A genre piece with a twist!鈥�

2014 Wales Drama Award Winner: Kelly Jones

Pictured: Kate Rowland, Kelly Jones, Faith Penhale, John McGrath

Kelly Jones from Cardiff was awarded the Wales Drama Award 2014 at a ceremony in December 2014 in 鲍鱼tv Cymru Wales鈥� Roath Lock drama studios, Cardiff Bay.  Kelly was presented with the award by Kate Rowland (鲍鱼tv Writers), Faith Penhale (鲍鱼tv Cymru Wales鈥� Head of Drama) and John McGrath (Artistic Director of National Theatre Wales).

2012 Wales Drama Award Winner: Katherine Chandler

 was the winner of the inaugural Wales Drama Award in 2012, beating nearly 250 other applicants for her script Parallel Lines. Her original was subsequently produced on 鲍鱼tv iPlayer and she went on to win the Judges Prize at the 2013 Bruntwood Prize.