Avin Shah

Region: South East

About / Bio

Avin is a dramatic writer, winner of the 2022 Best Radio Drama Award for his broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and available on BBC Sounds.

 

He’s been commissioned for several radio plays broadcast over the past 10 years, including 2 years on the Archers, and as a regular writer on BBC Radio 4’s acclaimed First World War series: ‘TOMMIES’:

“Avin instantly transported us to his locations in Europe, Russia, East Africa, Egypt and Turkey; one moment enmeshed in platoon politics, the next in the halls of the mighty; always capturing the humanity, warmth and the reality ‘TOMMIES’ needed.” (Jonathan Ruffle – BBC Producer)

He also created the Virtual Reality narrative game ‘This Is Your Country Too” available on the Meta Quest store.

His debut script was long-listed for the BBC Writers’ Room Prize:

“In Avin, we have discovered an original voice of diversity which has
been missing from British drama, in particular that of our post-colonial society’s
underdog, one whose role has been consistently under-valued. His writing shows a sharp ear for natural dialogue and a keen instinct for the actors’ craft.” (David Hunter – BBC Radio Drama)

He’s also been an actor for 30 years:

“Equally comfortable on both sides of the microphone as actor and writer, always a
reassuring and creative presence on both sides of the glass, with both actors and
production staff.” (Jonquil Panting, Director – Radio 4)

 


Contact

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Genres

Comedy
Film
Online writing
Radio
Television
Theatre
Videogames

Writing hours

Audio writing hours: 400

Showreels


Writer's credits

2024 – THIS WEEK IS FAMILY WEEK – BBC Radio 4 Saturday Drama (Dir: Emma Harding)

2023-2024 – THE ARCHERS – BBC RADIO 4 (24 episodes)

2023 – ‘HIS IS YOUR COUNTRY TOO – A narrative game for the Meta Quest VR headset.

2022 – WINNER WGGB AWARD Best Radio Drama (THE HALF WIDOW)

2021 – THE HALF WIDOW – 90′ min drama (BBC Radio)

2019Commissioned for BBC R4 Woman’s Hour 5 x 15′ drama adaptation of Saudi novel.

2019Finalist: Bath University IMDB Script to Screen for Short Film Script: STRICTLY HALAL

 2019 – THIS IS YOUR COUNTRY NOW TOO: VIJAY (BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama TX – Dec 2019)

2019 Finalist: BBC Audio Awards (for TOMMIES)

2017 – THE OUTCASTE (Stage Play)

Public Reading, Vibrant 2017 Festival, FINBOROUGH THEATRE. Director: Fay Lomas

 2016 – 2018 TOMMIES (BBC Radio 4 Drama Series – Writer & Actor)

Directors: Jonquil Panting & David Hunter

Writer of 7 x 45’ min radio plays broadcast during Series 5-11.

2015 – Granted £8K for ACE-funded R & D playwriting workshops to explore women’s role in India on Home Front during WWI. Experimented with cross-sector collaboration bringing together National Army Museum, theatre practitioners, musicians, historians, dramaturg.

2014 – SUBTERRANEAN SEPOYS (Radio Drama Playwright, Producer, Actor)

Audio Drama Podcast 55’, Tara Arts & Unique. Director: Jane Morgan

 2014 – SUBTERRANEAN SEPOYS (Radio Drama Playwright, Director, Actor)

Public Reading, Tara Arts with NATIONAL THEATRE’s Watch This Space Festival

2014 – 10K Heritage Lottery Fund grant for First World War research workshops (TARA ARTS) to write an audio drama based on the Indian Army’s experiences on the Western Front.

2014 – Long-listed for BBC Writers’ Room Prize: SUBTERRANEAN SEPOYS (debut Audio Drama).

2013Finalist: Film London’s Borough Film Fund for Short Film Script: STRICTLY HALAL.

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