The prize to a writer under 26 goes to:

Sixty Five Miles
by Matt Hartley

Synopsis

Sean is just out of prison, nothing’s the same as it was. His younger brother, Rich, lets him move in but he may as well be a stranger and the city he knew is no more. But Sean's the last thing Rich needs as he's got problems of his own. As Sean embarks on a journey to find the daughter he abandoned both he and Rich must learn to accept that their past choices will be with them forever. Sixty Five Miles is a story about family, redemption and learning how to say sorry.

Matt Hartley’s Biography

Matt is 25 years old and studied Drama at the University of Hull, which is where he became interested in writing for the stage. Since graduating in 2002 Matt has been working in a variety of jobs in London, which have allowed him to write at night and travel during the summer.

Mart's first full length play 'Tarmaccing the Belt' was in the top 10 for the 2005 Verity

Bargate Award and was subsequently produced by Soho Theatre/ New Theatre Works at the Courtyard Theatre, Hereford in July 2005.

Mart's work has also been produced at the Hampstead Theatre as part of their Start Night programmes. In 2005 Matt became one of the founding members of Sourfeast Theatre Company: www.sourfeast.co.uk.

He is currently one of Paines Plough writers on attachment as part of Paines Plough and Channel 4's Future Perfect scheme. His work for Paines Plough includes '60p', which he performed himself, as part of Later, at the Trafalgar Studios, London and 'Last Job' at the Brighton Theatre Festival. Matt is currently working on his new play '12 Months' with the help of Paines Plough.

Most recently Matt's short play '16 Minutes' was produced at the Old Red Lion Theatre and subsequently transferred to the Latitude Festival.