Short+Sweet Sydney Festival Returns May 2021

The ‘biggest little play festival in the world’ is back after its Covid-enforced break.

Short+Sweet – now entering its 20th year in its founding Sydney home - returns to the Tom Mann Theatre in Surry Hills from May 10 until August 22!


Helmed by new festival director, Sydney’s own Nick Hardcastle – fresh from helming the sell-out success of Short+Sweet Hollywood –
the 2021 restart promises to be the biggest, most exciting and diverse program yet. 
With a slew of innovations, the revamped festival honours the thrilling spirit and popular 10-minute format
that has made the Aussie original an international hit in multiple genres and more than 20 cities around the world.

Writers around Australia and overseas have been busy during the pandemic writing new 10-minute plays.
Finally, here is their chance now to share it on our stage, where it belongs!


The festival kicks off from May 10 with a week of 'hindsight' with the best plays from the 5 weeks of the 2020 festival.
This will culminate in a special 'Best of the Fest' evening on Sunday May 16.

All remaining plays that were yet to be presented in 2020 will be automatically invited to appear this year and any of the writers, directors and actors
that had participated in the first five weeks of the 2020 festival will be welcome to submit another work in the 2021 festival!
Every play accepted into the Festival will be programmed in competition and guaranteed two evenings and a matinee performance.


Submissions are open until March 13 – with all details on the www.shortandsweet.org website.

Beyond its universal appeal for lovers of theatre in all styles, Short+Sweet is also wonderful showcase for writers, directors and actors.

It’s now also set to become a powerful tool for diversity in the entertainment industry with the creation of its new Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

Says festival director Nick Hardcastle said he was hugely excited to be back in Sydney and welcoming everyone to the theatre.
"The special new programming team will ensure that Sydney audiences see the full breadth of our community.
Representatives will engage with specific community groups of writers, directors and actors
to make sure that those artists have a voice and an opportunity to participate in the festival.
Whether they be diversely abled, BIPOC, new immigrants, LGBTQ+, have English as a second language or are elderly,
we want everyone to know that we have room for them and their wonderful stories here!”

“Our message to you is that this is: ‘Your Community, Your Story, Your Voice, Your Festival!”