Deadline: May 25, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET
or once they have reached 200 submissions
SUBMISSION FORM
Sapphest is NYC's premier sapphic playwriting competition and play festival. The next installment of Sapphest will take place on 7/19/25 and 7/20/25 at Brooklyn Art Haus.
Eligibility:
Submissions are open to playwrights who:
Are 18 years of age or older
Live anywhere in the world
Identify as Sapphic*
*In our context, we use “Sapphic” as an inclusive term for those who identify as women, nonbinary, trans, two-spirit, genderqueer, or agender and who experience love or attraction for others within these communities. Sapphics may identify as queer, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, aromantic, lesbian, or use another term that resonates.
Submission guidelines:
Please write an 8–10 minute piece inspired by a sapphic song (think Good Luck, Babe, Honey, Lunch, Slumber Party, Where Does the Good Go, Her Body is Bible, Lipstick Lover, Fast Car, etc.). The play should have no more than four actors (you may include more than four characters, but they must be played by a maximum of four actors).
The audience will guess which song inspired each play. Please note: the play should not be a direct retelling of the song, but rather inspired by the title or lyrics. Each playwright/writing team may submit one play per submission cycle.
Plays will be selected by a committee of queer judges. All plays will be read blind. The other questions in the form will help us get to know you as an artist and understand who we are reaching, but will not be shared with the readers. Selected playwrights will be notified by the end of June and will receive a ticket-split stipend after the festival has completed.
Submissions close May 25th at 11:59 PM ET, or once we reach 200 submissions — whichever comes first. Please submit early!
Helpful reminders/tips:
Make sure the title of your play is not the same as the title of the song that inspired it.
Remove your name and any identifying information from the play and title of the document before submitting - (submissions that include identifying details may not be considered)
Your play must not exceed 11 pages, 12pt font, standard margins.
Only one submission per playwright or writing team.
If you have any questions, email us at sapphestnyc@gmail.com.
Sapphest is NYC's premier sapphic playwriting competition and play festival. The next installment of Sapphest will take place on 7/19/25 and 7/20/25 at Brooklyn Art Haus.
Eligibility:
Submissions are open to playwrights who:
Are 18 years of age or older
Live anywhere in the world
Identify as Sapphic*
*In our context, we use “Sapphic” as an inclusive term for those who identify as women, nonbinary, trans, two-spirit, genderqueer, or agender and who experience love or attraction for others within these communities. Sapphics may identify as queer, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, aromantic, lesbian, or use another term that resonates.
Submission guidelines:
Please write an 8–10 minute piece inspired by a sapphic song (think Good Luck, Babe, Honey, Lunch, Slumber Party, Where Does the Good Go, Her Body is Bible, Lipstick Lover, Fast Car, etc.). The play should have no more than four actors (you may include more than four characters, but they must be played by a maximum of four actors).
The audience will guess which song inspired each play. Please note: the play should not be a direct retelling of the song, but rather inspired by the title or lyrics. Each playwright/writing team may submit one play per submission cycle.
Plays will be selected by a committee of queer judges. All plays will be read blind. The other questions in the form will help us get to know you as an artist and understand who we are reaching, but will not be shared with the readers. Selected playwrights will be notified by the end of June and will receive a ticket-split stipend after the festival has completed.
Submissions close May 25th at 11:59 PM ET, or once we reach 200 submissions — whichever comes first. Please submit early!
Helpful reminders/tips:
Make sure the title of your play is not the same as the title of the song that inspired it.
Remove your name and any identifying information from the play and title of the document before submitting - (submissions that include identifying details may not be considered)
Your play must not exceed 11 pages, 12pt font, standard margins.
Only one submission per playwright or writing team.
If you have any questions, email us at sapphestnyc@gmail.com.
