National Drama Festivals Association - Home - National Drama Festivals Association (NDFA)

The secret diary of a theatre festival addict

Why is Jamie Lakritz so passionate about the amateur theatre network? Read his diary entries for last year's season and find out!

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Writing plays for amateur theatre festivals

Bev Clark - prestigious playwrite shares her experiences and discussed the obstacles and pitfalls – as well as the ‘joys’ – of being in control of your own work and getting paid for it.

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Free inspection copies, a curated set of one-act plays, and personal advice

Benefit from the partnership between the NDFA and Nick Hern Books this season

Requesting and securing script cuts with Nick Hern Books

Tamara von Werthern - Performing Rights Manager at Nick Hern Books - shares some top tips to secure the permissions you need

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NDFA-affiliated festivals

There are 29 of them throughout the British Isles and beyond. Some are part of the AETF or the SCDA and some are stand-alone. Why not enter one or more?

See who they are

About Us

The NDFA is a registered charity formed in 1964 to encourage and support amateur theatre through participation in festivals.

Our patron is Sir Derek Jacobi.
The 2025/26 Principal Partner is Nick Hern Books

FESTIVALS AND MEMBERS

Discover the NDFA-affiliated festivals and become one for £45 per year.

They’re the festivals whose groups are eligible to apply for the National Drama Festival

national drama festival

July 30th – August 2nd 2026
ARTRIX, Bromsgrove, England.

A showcase of NDFA-affiliated festival winners from the British Isles and beyond plus collaborative Studio Spotlights and Feedback Forums

DEREK JACOBI AWARD

Our play writing award – named after our patron.

This year’s winning play – Shelter by Jenny Derbyshire – has now been published by Stagescripts.

The 2025/26 entry form will be released soon