A celebration of solo performance on screen, this festival is dedicated to showcasing the power of live one-person shows captured on film. This is not about production value or polished cinematic spectacle—it is about presence, voice, and the singular connection between performer and audience translated through the camera. We aim to amplify filmed solo works that preserve the immediacy, intimacy, and artistry of live performance, creating a space where bold personal storytelling can reach beyond the theater and into wider view.

Join us for the inaugural year of a new festival celebrating the raw electricity of a single performer holding a room. More than a screening series, this first year is the beginning of a new platform for solo artists and audiences who believe these works deserve a larger life beyond the stage. Be part of the foundation—discover early voices, champion boundary-pushing performers, and help shape a festival from its very first chapter.

Awards & Prizes

Cash Prize ($50) for Highlighted Films

2 Comps to Film Festival screening your work in person in Los Angeles

Official Selection Laurel for those selected to screen at Festival

Finalist Laurel for films worthy of recognition but not selected for screening

One on One Mentor Session with Esteemed Veteran Solo Show Creators including:
Lauren Weedman, Stacie Burrows and Ithamar Enriquez
Options include:
Dramaturgical Coaching (continued development/feedback)
Physical Comedy Session (explore movement that can add to your process)
Get mentored on the producing aspect of how to set your show up for success (sustainability building for continued productions)

A submission to select theaters of your show as part of a pitch package for possible staged performance

Highlighted & Finalist films Available to stream on The Theatre Company’s webpage for up to one week after Film Festival

Rules & Terms

Official Selection: These are the selected films highlighted for screening, which will be notified via email. These films are highlighted by our judging panel. All official selection highlighted films will be screened live.

Submissions are reviewed and selected prioritizing strength of story and quality of performance. We are intentionally less concerned with production value, expensive equipment, or polished cinematic aesthetics. A powerful piece made with limited resources will always matter more to us than a glossy project without urgency, presence, or emotional truth.

Rules:
-All submitted pieces must be original works. No published works accepted.
-Must have only 1 performer on screen at all times
-Runtime between 40 - 60 minutes starting with lights up, excluding credits
-Shows must have premiered live on stage within the past five years
-Shows must be original works, not published works
-We're prioritizing and excited to discover fresh, new, rising voices of all ages and backgrounds. If your film exists online it must have less than 1000 views.
-We accept films from anywhere in the world
-Films in a language other than English must have either BURNED IN English subtitles or a digital copy of the script translated into english available upon request.
-All genres and content may be submitted except for depictions of self-harm, animal abuse, and explicit sexual violence
-Please use this site - FILM FREEWAY - to upload your film file and allow your file to be downloaded and available for playback. Vimeo statistics may be inaccurate as we download the films to view.
-Create a free Film Freeway account to access this submission platforms interface

Terms:
-Your film must be made available to us as a downloadable MP4 if needed
-If we cannot contact you, or have no way to download your film, we reserve the right to replace your film with another entry
-Press Kits are not required, but they are welcomed
-If your film is an “Official Selection”, you will have the option to have your film hosted on The Theatre Company’s website for one week
-All films hosted will be deleted from our website immediately after the week has ended
-You retain full ownership of your film. We will not sell or exhibit your film in any fashion other than in the festival and for the hosting week on TTC's website.
-No film may be withdrawn from the festival after our selections have been announced
-Sorry, no fee waivers. Please do not ask.
-No refunds of entry fees. Judges decisions are final
-We reserve the right to modify the festival date(s) or location due to unforeseen technical issues
-By submitting to us, you give us consent and right to screen your film in front of a live audience, and, under special circumstances, online screening.
-By submitting to us, you give consent to the use of your shows images (including promo images and stills) on the Solo Theatre Film Festival’s social media channels.

-Any technical issues with the submitted films are 100% the responsibility of the filmmakers. If, at the time of judging, your video file doesn’t work or doesn’t have English subtitles (if in a language other than English) and no translated script has been provided when requested, it will be automatically rejected, without a refund. Please contact the festival team ASAP if there are any issues with the submission process, and a solution will be found.