Wales Millennium Centre has today, Friday 15 May, announced a powerhouse judging panel for the inaugural Annwn Prize, a global award celebrating excellence in immersive storytelling. The panel brings together some of the most influential figures in contemporary culture: artist and musician Larry Achiampong, critic Arifa Akbar, industry leader Sir Peter Bazalgette, musician and community builder Charlotte Church, and writer-director Charlotte Regan.
Chaired by Peter Swinburn, this cross-disciplinary group is tasked with crowning the winner of a prize designed to recognize "extraordinary artists redefining how stories are experienced." According to Graeme Farrow, Chief Creative and Content Officer at Wales Millennium Centre, the diverse panel is essential for a "thoughtful and rigorous conversation about what excellence in this emerging artform looks like today." Farrow noted that each judge "brings a deep understanding of storytelling’s power to evolve and resonate in new ways."
The prize focuses on story-driven works created through creative technology, emphasizing experiences that make audiences an "active and integral part of the piece." The inaugural shortlist features four groundbreaking works from around the globe: Colored / Noire (Novaya), Consensus Gentium (Karen Palmer), Constantinopoliad (Sister Sylvester), and NOWISWHENWEARE (the stars) (Andrew Schneider). These works utilize augmented reality, branching film, and interactive theatrical installations to expand the boundaries of audience engagement.
The winning artist or studio will be announced on Sunday 14 June 2026 and awarded £20,000, alongside a bespoke residency to support the development of new work. This initiative, supported by Peter and Janet Swinburn, aims to ground the prize in a perspective that looks toward the future of the artform.
Audiences will have the opportunity to experience these innovative works firsthand during a major exhibition at Wales Millennium Centre running from 27 May to 26 June. The event offers a unique chance to explore the "bold originality and emotional depth" of immersive storytelling that is currently reshaping the global cultural landscape. For those interested in the future of narrative, the Annwn Prize is set to become a vital benchmark for creative excellence.
