Upload Festival 2021

Summary

The Upload Festival is taking place on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 May 2021.
Listen on your local BBC radio station or watch on this page from 21:00 each night.
Writers and comedians from across England, Wales, Scotland and the Channel Islands uploaded for a chance to appear at the festival.
We're in the Comedy Tent on Saturday - recorded on a farm in Somerset. And on Sunday it's the Writers' Tent - filmed in Hallam Square, Sheffield.
You can sign up to take part in some great workshops over the course of the weekend.

Live Reporting

Thanks for joining us!published at 22:00 BST 2 May 2021
Image caption,
Upload Festival Writers' Tent presenters Ellie Colton and Rachel Teate
Wow! What a weekend!
We've hosted four incredible workshops helping creatives to develop their writing skills, improve story structure, take an idea and get it on the page, pitching work to commissioning editors, how to get your work on the BBC and how to make the most of Upload to showcase your work.
Our workshops this weekend saw more than 2,000 sign ups with plenty of you eager to hear from our experts and panellists.
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Quote Message
Being able to support so many talented people from across Great Britain and the Channel Islands this weekend has been amazing. Thank you to every single person who has uploaded content to us! YOU make Upload what it is!
Rachel Teate, Upload presenter on BBC Radio Tees
Remember that whatever you are making, creating and doing, we'd love to feature you on the BBC! Head to our website bbc.co.uk/upload to submit what your creations.
Our Writers' Tent uploaderspublished at 21:40 BST 2 May 2021
Here are just a selection of the talented uploaders who are being featured on air, online and on BBC iPlayer as part of our Upload Festival Writers' Tent tonight.
Anna Sharpe-Jones submitted 'Commode to a Care Worker' to BBC Radio Derby about her experience of working in care.
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BBC Radio Manchester has championed poet Tom Stocks who performed his piece about life as a renter and some of the challenges that renters face.
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Holly Watson submitted an excerpt of her novel about growing up in suburban Coventry. Rachel New presents Upload at BBC CWR and said "I'm excited for the Upload Festival Writers' Tent night. It's set to be an awesome evening of creative brilliance".
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Upload what you're making, creating and doingpublished at 21:20 BST 2 May 2021
Upload is for life, not just for the Upload Festival!
Don't forget that you can upload your content to get on air all year round via the uploader. So if you're a poet, comedian, short story writer, podcaster, blogger, vlogger, novelist, filmmaker (you get the picture) then we'd love to hear what you're making!
Here's a handy video guide if you're looking for some tips and tricks on how best to record yourself.
Media caption,
Find out more about how to get your stuff on the BBC.
You can upload audio, video, images or text documents. Click here to find out the file types and sizes we can accept.
Quote Message
If you share it, we'll air it!
Ellie Colton, Upload presenter on BBC Radio Sheffield
Not long to go until we're in the Writers' Tent!published at 20:43 BST 2 May 2021
We can't believe the Upload Festival 2021 is almost over - but there's still tonight's headliner to come... The Writers' Tent. And we promise it'll be worth the wait!
Rachel Teate and Ellie Colton host the show which was recorded in Hallam Square, Sheffield - and you'll be able to watch the best of your writing from across England and the Channel Islands right here on this page.
They've got a bit of everything for you - from fiction to spoken word and lyrics. You do not want to miss it!
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It's Day 2 of the Upload Festival 2021...published at 13:37 BST 2 May 2021
...and things are already underway with our first workshop of the day. Author Yvonne Battle-Felton is currently running a session on writing beyond stereotypes and developing complex characters.
It's too late to sign up to that session - but if you're really quick you can book on to our final workshop of the weekend at bbc.in/UploadFestWorkshop4. If you fancy hearing or seeing your work on Upload then our team of presenters from England and Scotland will help you with insight, tips and advice on easy ways to turn your writing into audio or video. And how you can get your content ready to upload and give yourself the best shot of getting it on air.
If anyone can create an infodoodle for the Upload session (just like Bex did for our session with author James Harris yesterday) we'd be super stoked!
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And don't forget... our second Upload Festival 2021 show will be right here at 21:00. Rachel Teate and Ellie Colton present the Writers' Tent from Hallam Square in Sheffield. They'll be bringing you powerful spoken word, brilliant fiction and spooky poems for kids.
That's a wrap for day one!published at 22:10 BST 1 May 2021
We've loved showcasing all your incredible talent across radio, online and on our Facebook page! Thanks for joining us down on the farm in Somerset for the Comedy Tent!
Image caption,
Our 'Comedy Tent' presenters Adam Crowther and Michelle Jordan on the Somerset Farm
Quote Message
It's an honour to champion all this incredible talent from across our BBC Upload shows! If you enjoyed the comedy tonight, you'll love the Writers' Tent tomorrow night with Ellie and Rachel.
Adam Crowther, Upload Festival Presenter
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You can watch the Writers' Tent right here tomorrow evening from 21:00, listen on local BBC Radio stations across England and the Channel Islands or via the BBC Sounds app. Ellie Colton and Rachel Teate will be guiding you through some fantastic poetry, short stories, spoken word and song.
Who is excited for the Comedy Tent?published at 20:52 BST 1 May 2021
We're just minutes away from the first of our special Upload Festival 2021 shows.
Adam Crowther and Michelle Jordan will be bringing you some amazing comedy at 21:00.
We can't wait to share our pick of your uploads with everyone - they're guaranteed to brighten your day and make you laugh!
We had so many uploads - there was no way we could fit them all into the show. So while we wait for the main programme - here's a brilliant, funny animation from Chris Cray. It was uploaded to BBC Radio Surrey...
Media caption,
An animated comedy sketch featuring Gary and Keith the dinosaurs.
Poor Gary and Keith the dinosaurs! And here's our final treat for you before the main show. 'The Maiden' was uploaded to BBC Radio Suffolk by Jodie Garnish...
Media caption,
A comedy short about a young woman hidden away in a tower where no-one can find her.
The Comedy Tentpublished at 18:06 BST 1 May 2021
Tonight at the Upload Festival... we're in the Comedy Tent!
You can watch Adam Crowther and Michelle Jordan with our pick of your comedy uploads at 21:00 tonight.
They'll be sharing some amazing stand-up, sketches, monologues and comedy songs.
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You blew us away with your uploads and we couldn't fit everything in the show, so before the special festival programme we're going to treat you to some extra comedy uploads.
This humorous mother and son moment was uploaded to BBC Hereford and Worcester by Adam Woodhouse...
Media caption,
A mockumentary following the life of 'Dan Evans' as he tries to get a job.
And here's another treat for you! Nayonica Ghosh uploaded her lockdown comedy to BBC CWR...
Media caption,
A satirical sketch about coronavirus briefings and if we had a sat nav that could help.
The Upload Festival is here...published at 15:40 BST 1 May 2021
...and what a start to the weekend we've had!
We've had not one... but two amazing workshops.
It all kicked off at midday with author James Harris sharing tips and advice on how to generate your best creative ideas and bring them to life on the page. James' Commissioning Editor, Rachel Wade, also joined us for a special Q&A.
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Then in our second workshop, Development Executive Simon Nelson from BBC Writersroom shared insights and tips on opportunities and support for new writers in the BBC.
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Don't forget to join us in the Comedy Tent tonight at 21:00. Adam Crowther (BBC Radio Bristol) and Michelle Jordan (BBC Radio Berkshire) will be bringing you an hour of amazing comedy all uploaded by you.
You can watch the show right here or if you can't watch... listen on local BBC radio across England and the Channel Islands.
Who's excited for Upload Festival 2021?!published at 19:25 BST 30 April 2021
The Festival gets underway in less than 24 hours - and we're so excited!
We kick off with our first workshop at midday on Saturday. It's not too late to book a space to any of our sessions - but be quick as places are going fast!
Then the first of our festival shows is at 21:00 with Adam Crowther (BBC Radio Bristol) and Michelle Jordan (BBC Radio Berkshire) hosting the Comedy Tent from a farm in Somerset. They'll be sharing some amazing stand-up, sketches, monologues and comedy songs.
And on Sunday at 21:00 - Rachel Teate (BBC Radio Tees) and Ellie Colton (BBC Radio Sheffield) are in the Writers' Tent in Hallam Square, Sheffield. They'll be bringing you powerful spoken word, brilliant fiction and spooky poems for kids.
It was so hard picking which uploads to feature in the special shows - but we're thrilled to see how happy being on the line-up has made you!
And don't forget Upload is here for you all year round... all you need to do is upload what you're making, creating and doing to the BBC radio station where you live and your work could get on air on the radio.
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Workshops: Spaces filling up fast!published at 12:12 BST 30 April 2021
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We've been overwhelmed by the love you've shown for the Upload Festival 2021 workshops so far!
So many of you have signed up already - but if you haven't... what are you waiting for?
You can sign up RIGHT NOW - and all of the sessions are FREE.
Generating and Structuring Ideas. Plus special Q&A: Insights From a Commissioning Editor
Saturday 1 May, 12:00-13:00
Author James Harris, winner of the Hachette Children's Novel Award, will share tips and advice on how to generate your best creative ideas and bring them to life on the page. Plus insights from James' Commissioning Editor, Rachel Wade, in a special Q&A.
Book Now: bbc.in/UploadFestWorkshop1
BBC Writersroom: Who we are and how we can help you
Saturday 1 May, 13:30-14:30
Development Executive Simon Nelson from BBC Writersroom will share insight and tips on opportunities and support for new writers in the BBC.
Book Now: bbc.in/UploadFestWorkshop2
Writing Beyond Stereotypes: Developing Complex Characters
Sunday 2 May, 13:00-14:00
Yvonne Battle-Felton is the author of Remembered, winner of the Northern Writers Award and a lecturer in Creative Writing. In this session Yvonne will share techniques that you can use to create vivid and compelling characters, to bring your stories alive and to write as advocacy.
Book Now: bbc.in/UploadFestWorkshop3
Upload: Getting Your Work on the BBC
Sunday 2 May, 14:30-15:30
Fancy hearing or seeing your work on Upload? Our team of BBC Upload presenters from England and Scotland are here to help with insight, tips and advice on easy ways to turn your writing into audio or video, how to get your content ready to upload and giving yourself the best shot of getting it on air.
Book Now: bbc.in/UploadFestWorkshop4
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Want some insider info? Need some tips to inspire you?published at 11:54 BST 29 April 2021
The Upload Festival 2021 is just days away - and we've got some great workshops lined up for you this weekend!
Maybe you're someone who is already creating - but doesn't know how to get your work seen or heard. Perhaps you've got an idea - but you just don't know where to start with it...
Our festival workshops will help you. And the best bit - they are FREE! You just need to sign up using the links below - but be quick as spaces are limited.
Generating and Structuring Ideas. Plus special Q&A: Insights From a Commissioning Editor, external
Saturday 1 May, 12:00-13:00
Author James Harris, winner of the Hachette Children's Novel Award, will share tips and advice on how to generate your best creative ideas and bring them to life on the page. Plus insights from James' Commissioning Editor, Rachel Wade, in a special Q&A.
BBC Writersroom: Who we are and how we can help you, external
Saturday 1 May, 13:30-14:30
Development Executive Simon Nelson from BBC Writersroom will share insight and tips on opportunities and support for new writers in the BBC.
Writing Beyond Stereotypes: Developing Complex Characters, external
Sunday 2 May, 13:00-14:00
Yvonne Battle-Felton is the author of Remembered, winner of the Northern Writers Award and a lecturer in Creative Writing. In this session Yvonne will share techniques that you can use to create vivid and compelling characters, to bring your stories alive and to write as advocacy.
Upload: Getting Your Work on the BBC, external
Sunday 2 May, 14:30-15:30
Fancy hearing or seeing your work on Upload? Our team of BBC Upload presenters from England and Scotland are here to help with insight, tips and advice on easy ways to turn your writing into audio or video, how to get your content ready to upload and giving yourself the best shot of getting it on air.
Upload Festival is back for 2021!published at 15:27 BST 6 April 2021
You could be featured in the Upload Festival on Saturday 1 May and Sunday 2 May. This year the Festival has grown - we are open to submissions from across England, Wales, Scotland and the Channel Islands.
This is your chance to see your work streamed on the iPlayer, and hear it not only on BBC radio where you live but also in the Upload Festival shows on BBC Sounds and on radio across the local BBC Radio network all over England and the Channel Islands! To get an idea, you can check out last year's Upload Festival.
All you need to do to be considered is upload either video or audio of your comedy, poetry, sketch, fiction, spoken word, vlogs, or drama - any kind of comedy or writing! Saturday night will be the Comedy Tent and on Sunday night the virtual Writers' Tent will showcase writing of all kinds.
Send your video or audio to the Upload team where you live, by Monday 19 April, by selecting your upload destination from this list.
Once you’ve uploaded, keep an eye on your inbox and we'll be in touch if we're able to include your work!