Meet the judges

The judging panel

Sally Cowling - Director of Drama and Dance, British Council

Responsible for the British Council's global theatre and dance programme, Sally has worked as a dramaturg, theatre critic and theatre and dance producer for organisations in Norway, Greece, the United States and Britain. She has been a Senior Drama Officer for the Arts Council of England and sits on a number of advisory and award panels. Sally was awarded an MBE in 2005.

Vincent Ebrahim - Actor

Vincent was born in South Africa and trained at the University of Cape Town Drama School. He came to Britain in 1976 and has worked extensively in theatre, television and radio since. He is probably best known as Ashwin Kumar in The Kumar's at No. 42 on BBC 2. Other television credits include: After You've Gone, The Lenny Henry Show and Holby City. His theatre credits include The Great Game-Afghanistan, Nathan The Wise, Ramayana, Credible Witness and Tartuffe. Vincent has appeared in numerous radio dramas for BBC World Service and domestic radio and was part of World Drama's Writing Residency for 2nd language writers in 2003.

Kwame Kwei-Armah - Actor, playwright, singer and broadcaster

Kwame Kwei-Armah's triptych of plays set in the African Caribbean community - Elmina's Kitchen; Fix up and Statement of Regret - premiered at the National Theatre between 2003 and 2007. He has written and directed two successful productions of Let There Be Love for London's Tricycle Theatre and his TV drama, Walter's War, was screened by the BBC in remembrance of the first black commissioned officer in the First World War. Between 1994 and 2004 Kwame starred in the long-running BBC drama Casualty. He also sings.

Robin Lustig - Host of BBC World Drama and presenter of The World Tonight

Robin Lustig, one of the BBC's most senior radio presenters, is host of BBC World Drama. He hosts Newshour on BBC World Service and The World Tonight for BBC Radio 4. He has extensive experience of covering major world events and has broadcast live programmes from around the world.

Gwyneth Williams - Director World Service English

Gwyneth Williams is responsible for the BBC's international radio programmes. She was editor of the BBC Reith Lectures for many years and head of BBC Radio Current Affairs, making documentaries and programmes. She has published two books, one on Southern Africa and another on political organisations in the developing world. A self-confessed book worm, she loves World Book Club, broadcast each month on BBC World Service.

Marion Nancarrow - Executive Producer, BBC World Service Drama

Marion has produced and directed over 150 plays, readings, comedies, serials and drama-documentaries for the BBC, in many parts of the world. Her productions have won awards, including Sony Gold & Silver and the CRE Race in the Media Award. She says, "This competition is unique in the world and this is my favourite time of year, as scripts arrive from across the globe. You never know what story you'll be told or whose world you'll enter. I can't wait to meet the winners, but I'm impressed by everyone who has entered – it's an enormous achievement."