What is the National Drama Festivals Association (NDFA)?

The NDFA is a registered charity (number 295373), formed in 1964 to encourage and support amateur theatre in all its forms and in particular through participation in theatre festivals within the British Isles.

Our patron is Sir Derek Jacobi.

The NDFA is run by volunteers who are heavily involved in the world of amateur theatre – just like our members.

Our objective is to encourage as many groups and audience members as possible to participate in – and enjoy – amateur theatre.   We’re passionate about rewarding those groups who have put their backs into producing exceptional theatre, via the festival medium.  We’re equally as passionate about enabling groups, individuals and organisations to share skills so we all improve.

The association runs the National Drama Festival which is a competitive festival of one-act and full-length plays, showcasing the ‘cream of amateur theatre’. It takes place at the end of July each year. 

We say the ‘cream’, because we’ve done the filtering for the audience, having picked plays that have performed exceptionally well at a qualifying festival.

Our intention at the National Drama Festival  isn’t only to celebrate and showcase the skills of the highly-successful groups, but to also hold Feedback Forums and Studio Spotlight sessions to encourage everyone to learn new skills which they can take back home.  For this reason we make some National Drama Festival tickets available to groups.