Marek Horn, writer of the recent Hampstead Downstairs hit Octopolis, has been announced as one of the winners of this year’s Peggy Ramsay / Film4 Award.

Providing six writing bursaries of £10,000 the initiative celebrates and supports new British writing talent. The award was created by Film4 and the Peggy Ramsay Foundation alongside the Maria Bjornson Memorial Fund.

Four of the six bursaries are supported through the Peggy Ramsay Foundation (with one dedicated to the memory of literary agent Tom Erhardt) and two are supported by Film4.

Marek will now be attached to Hampstead Theatre for a year in order to develop at least one full-lengthy play, while also working alongside a variety of industry professionals.

Former National Theatre artistic director Richard Eyre, who chaired the panel deciding the six winners, said: “I’ve always thought that giving bursaries to writers for them to be attached for a year to theatres is an inventive act of philanthropy. I’ve been chairing this award since 2009 and I have been repeatedly impressed by the quality of the plays. This year has been no exception. I feel sure that these writers will continue to confirm our faith in their talent.”

Marek Horn’s play Octopolis received its world premiere in Hampstead’s Downstairs theatre in September 2023. Directed by Ed Madden the play starred Jemma Redgrave and Ewan Miller and was described by the Daily Mail as ‘brilliant’ and as ‘beautifully exciting to watch’ by The Arts Desk.