​Browse the participating festivals in each AETF area and contact the festival organiser directly for dates, availability and entry details.
2026–27 FESTIVAL SEASON
Find your First Round festival.
Click on a box to jump straight to your area.
Groups may enter more than one First Round festival but may only opt to progress through the AETF competition from one.
FIRST ROUND FESTIVALS
Northern Area Festivals
Contact the individual festival organiser directly for availability and entry information.
* Affiliated to the National Drama Festivals Association
CHESHIRE *
17-18 April 2027
VENUE
Nantwich Players Theatre, Nantwich
CONTACT
sandielaughlin@btinternet.com
ADJUDICATOR
Chris Baglin GODA
SALTBURN
10-13 March 2027
VENUE
Saltburn Community Theatre
CONTACT
susan_pierce@icloud.com
ADJUDICATOR
Andrew Head GODA Assoc
ISLE OF MAN *
27 March- 2 April 2027
VENUE
Gaiety Theatre
CONTACT
easterfest@madf.im
ADJUDICATOR
Tristan Marshall GoDA
DURHAM & SUNDERLAND
10-13 March 2027
VENUE
Arts Centre, Washington
CONTACT
durhamoneact@gmail.com
ADJUDICATOR
Corinne Kilvington
ROCKET DRAMA FESTIVAL *
26-28 February 2027
VENUE
Rainhill Village Hall, Rainhill, Liverpool.
CONTACT
TBC
ADJUDICATOR
Maximillian Clay GODA Assoc
FIRST ROUND FESTIVALS
Central Area Festivals
Western Division
Contact the individual festival organiser directly for availability and entry information.
* Affiliated to the National Drama Festivals Association
HEREFORD *
18–20 March 2027
VENUE
Market Street Theatre, Ledbury
CONTACT
danban1@btinternet.com
ADJUDICATOR
Annie Rees GoDA
WORCESTER*
3 -4 April 2027
VENUE
Norbury Theatre, Droitwich
CONTACT
ADJUDICATOR
TBC
BFAME *
20 March 2027
VENUE
Higbury Little Theatre
CONTACT
emma-david-daniel@hotmail.com
ADJUDICATOR
TBC
FIRST ROUND FESTIVALS
Central Area Festivals
Central Division
SHROPSHIRE *
9-14 November 2026
VENUE
Belfry Theatre, Wellington
CONTACT
alimaclean1990@gmail.com
ADJUDICATOR
Chris Baglin GoDA
LEICESTER & RUTLAND*
2 -3 April 2027
VENUE
Leicester Little Theatre
CONTACT
ADJUDICATOR
TBC
HASTILOW/STAFFORDSHIRE*
3 - 4 April 2027
VENUE
Rugeley Rose Theatre
CONTACT
suetact@gmail.com
ADJUDICATOR
Bev Jenkins GoDA
STOKE
10 April 2027
VENUE
MAC Theatre Stoke
CONTACT
ian.hill807@ntworld.com
ADJUDICATOR
Rebekah Fortune- Smith
FIRST ROUND FESTIVALS
Western Area Festivals
Contact the individual festival organiser directly for availability and entry information.
* Affiliated to the National Drama Festivals Association
TOTTON
14-20 March 2027
VENUE
Hanger Farm Arts Centre, Totton
CONTACT
info@tottondrama.co.uk
ADJUDICATOR
Tristan Marshall GoDA
BRISTOL
17-19 Feb 2027
VENUE
Olympus Theatre, Stoke Gifford
CONTACT
jillgill47@yahoo.co.uk
ADJUDICATOR
Tristan Marshall GoDA
AVON
10-13 March 2027
VENUE
Town Hall, Chipping Sodbury
CONTACT
avonshortplayfestival.org.uk
ADJUDICATOR
Chris Jeager GoDA
SOMERSET
20-21 March 2027
VENUE
The Warehouse, Ilminster
CONTACT
ireneglynn61@gmail.com
ADJUDICATOR
Bob Thomson GoDA
FIRST ROUND FESTIVALS
Eastern Area Festivals
Contact the individual festival organiser directly for availability and entry information.
* Affiliated to the National Drama Festivals Association
MAIDENHEAD*
20-23 April 2027
VENUE
Norden Farm Centre, M'head
CONTACT
carol@hennwinds.me.uk
ADJUDICATOR
TBC
SOUTHERN COUNTIES*
22-27 February 2027
VENUE
Barn Theatre, Oxted.
CONTACT
cdfatbarn@btinternet.com
ADJUDICATOR
Ruth Cattell GoDA Assoc
HUNTINGDON
TBC March 2027
VENUE
Lewis Hall Theatre,Kimbolton School, Huntingdon
CONTACT
nla@kimboltonschool.com
ADJUDICATOR
Rebekah Fortune-Smith
WALTHAM FOREST *
TBC 2027
VENUE
Forest Centre, Walthamstow
CONTACT
elaine17elliott@aol.com
ADJUDICATOR
TBC