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Step onto the Spotlight Studios to see how the Screen Prize finalists bring their monologues to life

Every year, the Spotlight Prize serves as a vital launchpad for the next generation of actors. While the anticipation builds for the showcase, the Screen Prize filming days are where the magic begins on camera. 

This exclusive, behind-the-scenes video captures the energy, dedication and craft of our finalists as they step into the audition space where professional casting happens: Spotlight Studios.

Working under the brilliant guidance of director Paulette Randall MBE (Eastenders, Death in Paradise), the finalists masterfully navigated the subtle nuances needed for screen acting. From the meticulous technical setups and quiet moments of preparation to the final delivery of their powerhouse monologues, this footage offers a rare, intimate glimpse into the process that shapes the future stars of our screens.

The tapes have now been sent to our esteemed jury of world-class casting directors and performers who will decide who will take home this year’s Screen Prize. The winner will be announced at the Spotlight Prize on Wednesday 8 July.

Celebrating Our Finalists

Congratulations to each and every one of our finalists for delivering such truly amazing performances. Stepping up to this level takes immense talent and dedication, and you should all be incredibly proud of what you’ve captured on screen.

With these filming days wrapped, we are absolutely thrilled to officially welcome you into the prestigious Spotlight Prize alumni family where you’ll join past finalists including Jodie Whittaker, Faye Marsay, Ben Whishaw, and Bessie Carter. We can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next.

Read our finalists announcement to find out more about the actors taking part in Spotlight Prize 2026.

The Spotlight Prize: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Spotlight Prize?

The Spotlight Prize is an annual showcase dedicated to discovering, celebrating, and launching the next generation of talented performers. Graduating performers from over 90 drama schools and universities across the UK and Ireland are selected to take part, providing them with an unrivaled platform to showcase their craft directly to the industry’s top professionals.

What are the award categories?

To reflect the evolving and diverse nature of the modern entertainment industry, the contemporary format features two main award categories:

  • The Screen Prize: Established in 2016, this category focuses on the subtle, intimate nuances of on-camera acting. Finalists record monologues under the direction of an industry expert at Spotlight Studios.

 

  • The Stage Prize: This category celebrates live performance, where finalists showcase their theatrical talent in front of a live audience of industry VIPs.
Who judges the Spotlight Prize?

The finalists are evaluated by an esteemed jury consisting of world-class casting directors and acclaimed actors. The screen monologues and stage performances serve as direct calling cards to these panel members, frequently launching immediate professional relationships.

Who are some notable past winners and finalists?

The Spotlight Prize (and its historic predecessor, the Rodney Millington Award, which originated in 1954) boasts a glittering legacy of alumni who have gone on to achieve global success in film, television, and theatre.

 

Finalists of the Rodney Millington Award

Dame Judi Dench, Brian Cox, Albert Finney, John Hurt, Zoë Wanamaker, Jeremy Brett. 

 

Finalists of the Spotlight Prize 

Jodie Whittaker, Ben Whishaw, Faye Marsay, Bessie Carter, Gwendoline Christie, Sam Heughan, Edward Bluemel, Rosalind Eleazar

 

Recent winners: 

2025: Polly Graves (Screen) and Scot Greenan (Stage)

2024: Senam Akpokavi (Screen) and Alyssa Thabisile Sibanda (Stage)

2023: Shannon Watson (Screen) and Teddy Moore (Stage)

Where is the Screen Prize filmed?

The Screen Prize filming days take place at Spotlight Studios in London. This professional audition environment gives the finalists a true taste of a real-world industry casting environment.