Geelong’s newest creative arts festival is open for submissions for its second year.
Following the success of its inaugural instalment, the Geelong Short Play Festival has put the call out to all playwrights to submit original 15-minute plays for its second edition this August.
Submissions are open to Geelong Writers members, as well as anyone living in Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast Shire, Colac and Golden Plains.
Writers may submit up to two plays on any theme, with scripts limited to five characters and designed for minimal staging.
Submitted works will be considered by a panel of experienced judges, with six plays to be shortlisted for performances by local theatre companies at Geelong Arts Centre in August.
With last year’s festival drawing more than 300 attendees over three sessions, festival coordinator Paul Bucci said he was looking forward to the second year of the event.
“We learned a great deal from staging the inaugural festival, and we’re planning an even stronger event the second time around,” he said.
“We want Geelong to punch above its weight creatively. So, to all the writers out there, it’s time for take two.”
Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj praised the festival’s 2025 debut for captivating audiences and showcasing local theatre, saying the plays “revealed the tremendous talent of some of our most gifted playwrights and actors…with minimal sets but maximum imagination”.
Submissions are open until Sunday 15 March. Visit geelongwriters.org.au or email geelongwriters@gmail.com for submission guidelines and entry forms or call festival coordinator Paul Bucci at paulbucci@live.com.au or on 0428 326 012.
