BardFest is a Shakespearian-themed performing arts festival in Hollywood that welcomes artists of all backgrounds and producing levels.

The festival is lightly curated: the only requirement is that the films use Shakespeare's text, are significantly influenced by Shakespeare (or his contemporaries; Ben Johnson, Thomas Kyd, Christopher Marlowe, etc), or are a Shakespearian adaptation of a modern story.

Got a short interpretation of Hamlet? Let's see it!

A retelling of Doctor Faustus for the digital age? You drive a hard bargain!

Shakespeare and a zombie plague? Locketh and loadeth.

A tragic tale of an ambitious and immoral leader that will stop at nothing to gain ultimate power? So familiar yet so strange...

BardFest is a celebration of the Bard and all that he has inspired!

The inaugural BardFest happens this April. It will be a mixed-media performing arts festival, featuring both live performance and film screenings. There will be three screening sessions during the ten-day long festival. Group 1 and Group 2 will be the initial screenings for the Official Selections (five films in each line-up). Group 3 will be made up of the Audience Choice and Judge's Choice winners from Groups 1 and 2.

Information on the live performance aspects of the festival can be found at BardFestLA.com

Awards & Prizes

Best in Fest
Audience Choice (Group 1)
Audience Choice (Group 2)
Judges Selection (Group 1)
Judges Selection (Group 2)
Wild Card Award
The Spirit of the Bard Award

Rules & Terms

- BardFest Film is open to the United States and International entries.

- Multiple entries are accepted.

- Entry fees are non-refundable.

- Films must be under 20 minutes, otherwise they will be disqualified [without refund].

- Foreign language entries must have English language subtitles.

- Entries must include contact information, with both an email address and phone number if possible. Any physical materials mailed in, must be labeled with submitter contact information.

- For physical materials submitted, please submit in sturdy containers and/or bubble wrap to avoid damage. No fiber filled envelopes. Materials will not be returned to the submitters.

- BardFest Film has the right to screen any film or projects submitted to BardFest Film.

- If [a film is] officially selected, it is the responsibility of the submitter to send the festival their film in digital format, as requested by festival.

- Screening copies and marketing materials will not be returned to the submitter, unless a pre-paid return mailer is included.

- All decisions made by the festival are final and at their discretion.