MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Filipino playwrights can now send in their unpublished and unstaged written works for submission to Virgin Labfest 2025 for the theater festival’s 20th edition.
The deadline for submission is on February 29, 2024, at 11:59 pm. Submissions may be sent online in .doc or .pdf format only to thewritersblocinc@gmail.com.
The festival, although open to various themes and genres, is for Filipino citizens only to showcase local stories and storytellers.
Interested playwrights must submit their manuscripts with a maximum running time of 40 minutes, about 25 to 35 pages long.
Submitted works must not have previously been published in book form, staged commercially for more than two performances (staged readings, one-time workshop productions are allowed); and awarded any literary or drama prize in major competitions on or before the closing day of the Virgin Labfest 2024, on June 30, 2024.
Works may be in Filipino, English, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, or Ilocano. (Cebuano, Hiligaynon or Ilocano works must have accompanying Filipino translations). Entries in other Filipino languages/dialects will also be considered based on the availability and capability of performers.
12 new one-act plays will be selected to be produced and staged in June 2025. The playwrights of the chosen scripts must be willing to undergo a script development process for their works with the creative team of the festival.
The chosen plays will be formally announced at the end of the VLF 19 in June 2024.
The Virgin Labfest is a partnership project of The Writer’s Bloc, Tanghalang Pilipino Foundation, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
