Friday 22 May 2026
Over forty young writers from across the UK have been shortlisted for The Orwell Youth Prize 2026, responding to the theme of TRUTH.
This year’s Youth Prize theme was an exceptionally popular one: The Orwell Foundation received over 1300 final entries from young writers across the UK. Thank you to everyone who took part, whether you entered a poem, short story or essay, joined a workshop, or were one of over 750 entrants who received feedback from our volunteers. Sharing your ideas, in your words, is an important achievement in itself. We are proud you chose to share them with us.
With the help of our brilliant team of volunteer readers—the same readers who also offer individual feedback to every entrant who requests it—we have shortlisted 47 standout entries for our judges, Sophia Smith Galer, James Bloodworth, and Nandana Dev Sen, to consider. The 15 winners and runners-up of the Orwell Youth Prize 2026 will be announced at the Orwell Prize ceremony at University College London on 25 June.
We also have some exciting news to share: as of this year, the winners of The Orwell Youth Prize will be featured in The Observer, with all the winning entries published digitally and one in print. It is a fitting partnership: Orwell wrote regularly for the paper, and its legendary editor David Astor was among his most important supporters. But it is also a forward-looking one, rooted in a shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of talented journalists.
Unsurprisingly, this year’s theme inspired a wide range of responses. The theme was taken in a multitude of different directions as entrants cast their eyes inwards, upon themselves and their experience, as well as outwards towards the state of Britain and the world beyond. The shortlist captures this range, and it is with great pleasure that we can share the shortlist below. Congratulations, all.
Years 7, 8, and 9 Umaira Ali, Sk Abrar Arion, Martina Barkley, Ethan Choi, Amie Gregory, Emma Huang, Aaditri Manjunath, Josan Okine, Aryan Prasanna, Jorsh Rajasansi, Tanvi Sawant, Meghani Shanthakumar, Priya Shah, Arthur Vakil Tcherniak, Daisy Wilkinson.
Years 10 to 11 Gustav Alpsten, Johnny Berick, Mathew Bill, Jess Chapman, Dikshikaa Chandranath, Juweria Fatima, Sarani Godagama, James Hayward, Sumaiyah Khan, Shraddha Menon, Alice Monk, Nevaeh Rawsthorne, Zac Read, Sophie Stras, Anvika Thakur, Faye Thomas, Alys Watts, Josh Wong, Debbie Jo, Charlotte Warner.
Years 12 to 13 Dina Argimberde, Leo Baqueiro, Mason Brown, Alessandra Chiaromonte, Amina Ematur Rahman, Lucas Matteo Garrido, Mariane Gomes, James Grant, Maisie Knight, Iris Oliver, Elisa Saglam, Isobel Swanwick.
Thank you again to all our entrants, and congratulations to this year’s shortlisted young writers.
About The Orwell Youth Prize
Inspired by the work of George Orwell and his vision of a decent society where thought is free, truth valued, and brave writing celebrated, the prize invites young people across the UK to reflect on the world around them and write both creatively and critically.
Far more than just a prize, the Orwell Youth Prize provides free feedback and online resources to support all young writers on every step of their writing journey.
Entrants can write about their world, in any form they choose, and get personalised feedback and the chance to win a cash prize and books for themselves and their school.
The Prize is open to anyone ages 11-18 who is at school or college in the United Kingdom, or studying a British curriculum abroad.
Please keep an eye out for future updates. We will return next year with a new and exciting theme!