19^TH ANNUAL WGI ZEBBIE AWARDS – 

Submissions now open

Our FilmFreeway submissions page launches today Monday, 20th April 2026.

https://filmfreeway.com/ZebbieAwards2026

This year we’ve made some changes to the awards categories. You’ll see a new Children’s Television category – for both animated and live action children’s and Young People’s scripts. For animation writers whose work isn’t for children’s tv you can submit to the relevant category (shorts or features) which will include both animated and live action scripts. We’re also introducing two new awards this year, for Best Irish Language Script, and Best Debut Script. There’s no separate submission to be made for these – just fill in the box in your main category to let us know you’d like to be considered, and we’ll do the rest. 

As always, we’ll be announcing the shortlisted scripts later in the summer, when WGI members will have the opportunity to read and vote, and plans are already afoot for this year’s Zebbie Awards ceremony, which takes place in September. 

The Zebbie Awards are named in honour of O.Z (Zebby) Whitehead, American stage and film character actor (The Grapes of Wrath), Dublin resident in later life, and enthusiastic supporter of theatre and new writing through the OZ Whitehead Awards.   

The 2026 Zebbies categories are Best Radio & Audio Drama Script, Best Children’s TV Script, Best Theatre Script, Best Short Film Script, Best Feature Film Script, Best TV Drama Script and Best Continuing Drama Script. Along with two new special awards, for Best Irish Language Script, and Best Debut Script. The Zebbies welcomes submissions from all writers living on the island of Ireland and Irish writers living abroad. Eligible scripts must have been broadcast, staged, screened or streamed to an Irish audience between January 1st and December 31st 2025.

Submissions will close on Friday May 8th, 2026. 

The WGI gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the ICLA in helping us run the Zebbie Awards.