This brief is for IdeasTap members aged 16 to 18. Click here for the 19 to 25 brief.

What’s a MacGuffin, we hear you ask?

It is the engine that sets the story in motion. In the words of Hitchcock himself, it is “the device, the gimmick, if you will, or the papers the spies are after.”

There’s Hitchcock fever at BFI right now and to celebrate we’re looking for the most exciting short thriller scripts, written by talented young writers aged 16 to 18. The writers of the best three scripts will be awarded with Hitchcock goody bags and a free ticket to this year’s London Screenwriters’ Festival worth £300.

The scripts must be of the thriller genre, full of suspense, drama and action and just two pages long. That’s right, two pages! (Don’t think that’s possible? Check out the two page scripts from the London Screenwriters’ Festival competition 50 Kisses.) 

We’ll also be working to find the best emerging filmmakers to turn your script into a film, which will be screened at the next BFI Future Film Festival 2013.

Still want more? Well, if you buy a ticket to the BFI Future Film “What’s a MacGuffin?” event on Saturday 29 September, not only will you be able to hear more about developing thriller scripts but you can book a one-to-one script doctor surgery with our friends at Euroscript. They can give you feedback on your idea in advance of the deadline on Friday 12 October.

For full details and terms and conditions, see the How to apply tab. 

Good luck!

This brief closes on Friday 12 October at 5pm and is open to IdeasTap members, aged 16 to 18. If you have any technical queries, please visit the Help Centre. Late entries will not be accepted under any circumstances, including technical issues – so make sure you don’t leave your application to the last minute.