HOW IT WORKS
Independent Preliminary Round Festivals are held across England from February, within four geographical areas.
Theatre groups enter their one-act plays into these preliminary round festivals and perform them in front of an audience and an Adjudicator from GoDA (Guild of Drama Adjudicators).
The winner of each preliminary round festival goes through to the relevant AETF Quarter Final (if relevant) and then through to the Semi Final in their areas. The winners of the four Semi Finals compete at the English Final to become the All-England Theatre Festival winner.
​
The winner of The English Final will go on to compete at The UKCDFF British Final of one act plays which is held annually in July in one of the 4 host countries. In 2025 It will be held at Lichfield Garrick Theatre in Staffordshire on 4th and 5th July.
​

AT-A-GLANCE
Here's a snapshot of the main things you need to know to determine whether you'd like to participate.
Your Preliminary Round Fesitval organiser will provide you with the documents you need.
WHO CAN ENTER?
-
Amateur Actors only​
-
Adult Groups
-
Youth / School Groups
-
Groups where the entire cast are 18 or under will be eligible for youth awards
-
Drama Schools for the training of professional actors are not eligible to compete
-
Directors can be amateur or professional
WHAT ARE THE COSTS?
-
Each Preliminary Round Festivavl sets their own (small) entry fee
-
Each play opting to be considered to go forward to the AETF Are Final pays a fee of £10
-
Groups are responsible for all licensing / copyright fees
-
There are NO fees payable for progressing further
-
Help with costs for later rounds MAY be available
-
All companies must have appropriate insurance
WHO ADJUDICATES?
-
All festivals are adjudicated by a professional adjudicator from the Guild of Drama Adjudicators (GoDA)
-
The highest scoring plays (out of those who elect to go through to the next round) from each are are entered into the All England Theatre Festival
-
The Winner of the English Final represents England in the British Final of One-Act plays
WHEN ARE AETF FESTIVALS?
-
Entry is through your local Preliminary Round, (Generally held between February and April).
-
Area Semi Finals are held in May
-
The English Final is held in June
-
The British Final is held in July
-
Participants MUST be available for all AETF rounds including the English and British Final dates
CHOICE OF PLAY
-
A one-act play, or an extract form a longer play
-
Minimum 20 minutes
-
Maximum 55 minutes
-
Play must contain at least 2 speaking characters appearing on stage
-
Groups are responsible for obtaining copyright, including approval for any cuts or changes
​
STAGING
-
Festival will provide a suitable theater with a basic setting of full drapes or wings, lighting and sound plus an official timekeeper and Festival Stage Manager
-
Entrants will provide any required set, furniture, props, costumes, specialist lighting and sound
-
Groups will be allowed 10 minutes for setting and 5 minutes for striking their set
-
Time penalties exist and timings will be given to the Adjudicator by the Festival Stage Manager
-
A Technical Session will be provided to enable participating groups to view the theatre in advance. This may be held on a separate date prior to the Festival.
​
RULES AND REGS
-
Any entry will children under 16 must comply with the festIval / local authority's child safety policies

PRELIMINARY ROUNDS
Take a look at the preliminary round festivals taking part, plus dates and locations for the AETF Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and English Final

THE MARKING SCHEME
The one-act plays are marked out of 100:
STAGE PRESENTATION: 15 MARKS
DIRECTION: 35 MARKS
ACTING: 40 MARKS
DRAMATIC ACHIEVEMENT: 10 MARKS

SEE THE RESULTS
As the marks come in from the various rounds, we log them and reveal who's going through to the next round. We'll provide a link once the first festival has happened in February
​