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WHAT WEIRD & WONDERFUL things are coming?

A new celebration of creativity, The Weird and Wonderful Festival is the playground for the avant-garde, the pioneers, and the innovators of the arts. From mesmerizing short films to enthralling theatrical performances, captivating puppetry, and powerful spoken word – this festival is an homage to the arts that push boundaries and challenge norms. Are you ready to explore the edges of creativity?

Comedy Improv

BELOW THE WATER-LINE: Improvisation groups Wet Skeleton, Pick 'n' Mix and Bi Animal bring us totally made up shows on a nautical theme.

Ridiculous Shorts

The topic of ridiculous allows writers and performers to bring us fresh new short stories, monologues and duologues. Be as wild as you like but don’t forget that these are shorts not longs.

Inspired by a man called Spike, You can really write what you like. As long as it’s silly and fun, Write anything under the sun. Poems are just what we need, And they don’t even have to rhyme.

Bizarre Theatre

30 minute plays that push the boundaries of traditional theatre. Three plays have been chosen by our weird collective. The Three Stages of Monica by Benjamin Peel, Mr Fox by Lauren Blakeway and wheat is What We eat by Mick Francis.

KIDS POETRY

ADULT RIFTS & RHYMES

Your best subversive poems or raps are needed to fill this section. Be political, be profound but most of all be free with your words.

Freestyle Film Festival

Mind blowing short films that explore the obscure, twist genres and make black mirror look tame.

Puppets Off the Rails

Become a puppeteer. Make objects come to life in this enchanting workshop for all ages.

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Calling All Creators of the Weird and Wonderful.

We are seeking unique talents to showcase at The Weird and Wonderful Festival. If you have a short film, a theatrical piece, a puppetry show, A comedy show or a spoken word performance that challenges the conventional and celebrates the unique, we want to hear from you. This is your chance to shine on a stage that appreciates the bizarre and the innovative. Submit your work today and join a community of artists who dare to be different.

Submission Guidelines

• Freestyle Short Films: Submit your films that are a Maximum of 15 minutes long to the link provided. We are looking for fresh new films with an unexpected plot or a twist that will blow our minds. We are calling this freestyle because we want entries that allow the filmmaker to break the rules and push the boundaries. We are not necessarily looking for horror. We are looking for something that will surprise the audience in an unusual way. The deadline for entry is 30th January at noon. Please make sure the submission has your production company name on the film and the names of everyone involved at the end. We are also looking for audio recordings with visual output, so for example, a monologue with a slide show that goes with it. Format for both should be MP4 max res 1080p. All films shown will get a certificate and the winning film will get a trophy. Films will be shown on Friday 21st February at 7pm. Creativity and originality are your only limits. Link to submission form here.

• Bizarre Theatre: We want theatrical pieces that you wouldn't expect to see on your average stage. Small scale 30 minute theatre, for a small black box space, max four actors, that can include mixed media is perfect for this trip into the unknown. We want the mind blowing, the twisted and the cracks in the human experience. We expect companies to produce their own work (this is a play festival not a writing competition.) Please submit a 100 word max synopsis and your play. selected plays will be performed on Saturday 22nd February starting at 8pm. Originality is the key to success in this section. We don't want the over-done. A certificate and award will be given to the best play. Deadline for entry is 6th January. Submissions Closed

• Puppetry: Join in this beginners workshop. Bringing objects to life In this workshop, participants will learn the very beginning basics of bringing an object to life, and how to use it in your performance/storytelling. We will look at finding the puppet’s “breath”, finding character within an object, and adding emotion to our emerging characters. These are all beneficial skills for both puppeteering and storytelling. We will be working as an ensemble to discover new skills and develop our crafts - this is the perfect opportunity to practise skills and make new friends. This workshop is suitable for complete beginners. sign up on our ticket line. 23rd February 9.30am

• Spoken Word: Ridiculous Shorts : Submit your short monologues (less that 3 minutes) or a duologue (less than 10 minutes) on the topic of ridiculous. Please stick to the time limits. Those chosen must find their own actor/actors or self-perform the work. We can help you find someone on request. Deadline for submission is 30th January, performances take place Sunday 23rd February at 6.30 Please use the link here to submit your work.

• Poetry: Children - If you are under 18 we'd like to hear your nonsense poems. These should be less than 3 minutes long, in the style of Spike Milligan. The performance will be at noon Sunday 23rd February. Deadline for entry is 30th January 2025 submit here link here.

• Poetry Adult - If you are 18 or over we'd like to hear your rifts and rhymes, poetry and raps up to 10 mins. These can be performed with background music or as you like. Please submit to the link here. Deadline for submission is 30th January, the performance is Saturday 22nd February at 6pm

• Comedy Improv - Below the Waterline: We are looking for two comedy improv troupes that can perform for 30 minutes on a nautical theme. A profit share will be paid to each troupe. Please show interest at the link. Give us an idea of what you will do. (100 word max synopsis) Submissions closed The show will take place on Sunday 23rd February at 8.30pm

Frequently asked questions

What types of submissions are you looking for?

Short poems, monologues and duologues are ideal. We also want 30 minute plays, 30 minute improv sessions and 30 minute puppet shows. We also want short films or audio presentations with pictures. All must follow the themes listed but most importantly must be surprising and not ordinary.

What format do my submissions need to be in?

Any scripts must be submitted in PDF. Please use no smaller than 12PT in a basic type script. Films must be in MP4 maximum res of 1080p.

Is there a fee to submit my work?

It is free! to submit your work.

How will I know my submission has been received?

The Google submission form will let you know your submission is complete. If you have any concerns please email Info@weirdwonderful.co.uk

How can I contact you?

Info@makeitwrite.co.uk

The Studio Below, 39 Rodney Street, Liverpool. L1 9EN

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