THE COMPETITION JOURNEY
From your local stage
to the British Final.
Every journey begins at a participating First Round festival.
01
01
02
FIRST ROUND FESTIVAL
Enter and perform your one-act production at a participating local festival. The winning production progresses to the next AETF round.
QUARTER FINAL
Where an Area includes Quarter Finals, each First Round winner competes for a place at its Area Semi Final.
03
AREA SEMI FINAL
The leading productions compete within one of AETF’s four geographical Areas. Each Area winner progresses to the English Final.
04
ENGLISH FINAL
The four Area winners meet to compete for the title of All-England Theatre Festival champions.
05
BRITISH FINAL
The English winner represents England at the UKCDFF British Final alongside the national winners from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to compete for the title of British Champion.
IMPORTANT: ENTERING MORE THAN ONE FIRST ROUND
You may enter more than one First Round festival.
However, you can only opt to progress through the AETF competition from one of them and must indicate which this is prior to your first performance.
BEFORE YOU ENTER
​
The essentials at a glance.
WHO CAN ENTER?
Adult, youth and school groups using amateur performers. Directors may be amateur or professional.
WHAT CAN WE PERFORM?
A one-act play or an extract from a longer work, lasting between 20 and 55 minutes, with at least two speaking characters appearing onstage.
WHAT WILL THE FESTIVAL PROVIDE?
A performance space, basic lighting and sound, a Festival Stage Manager, an official timekeeper and a technical session.
WHAT DO WE NEED TO BRING?
Your set, furniture, props and costumes, plus any specialist lighting or sound requirements. You are responsible for licensing, copyright and appropriate insurance.
HOW LONG DO WE HAVE?
You will have 10 minutes to set your production and 5 minutes to strike it. Time penalties may apply if these limits are exceeded.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
Each First Round festival sets its own entry fee. Groups are also responsible for licensing, copyright and insurance costs. There is a £10 AETF opting fee but there are no additional entry fees for progressing through later AETF rounds.
PROFESSIONAL ADJUDICATION
Every production is seen,
discussed and celebrated.
All competing productions receive constructive feedback from a GoDA adjudicator or an equivalent experienced professional.
CATEGORY Marks
​
ACTING 40
​
DIRECTION 35
​
STAGE PRESENTATION 15
​
DRAMATIC ACHIEVEMENT 10
THE FESTIVAL CALENDAR
Plan for the full journey.
If you choose to progress through the AETF competition, your production must be available for every subsequent round, including the English and British Finals.
FEBRUARY–APRIL MAY JUNE JULY
First Round Festivals​ Area Semi Finals​ English Final​ British Final
​
Exact Quarter Final and Area Semi Final dates vary. Please check the Festivals and Rounds page for confirmed dates and locations.