THESPIS - 5 NATIONAL MICRO DRAMA FESTIVAL - RULES AND REGULATIONS



1. Applications can be submitted by any Theatre group /Organization/Association/ Group of individuals / Solo Entry

2. No restrictions on the number of entries by an applicant. With every application, entry fee has to be submitted.

3. Duration of Micro Drama cannot be more than 10 minutes and those beyond 10 minutes will not be considered for awards.

4. Micro Drama could be in any Indian Language or in English or could be without a language i.e. non-verbal but not mime.

5. Synopsis must be in English, not exceeding 300 words, clearly specifying the theme / story of the Micro Drama.

6. Application along with complete script, Synopsis, brief profile of Director and Director’s note in English is a must and has to be submitted along with application form, without which the script will not be evaluated/shortlisted for stage show. All details to be sent to thespis.nmdf@gmail.com before the deadline specified in our website www.vrikshthetheatre.org .

7. Micro Dramas can be adaptations of the work/original scripts of any Indian or International playwright. The Director/Writer/Participants must have copyright for adaptation/use of music/visual effects etc

8. Micro Dramas inspired or evolved by adaptations must give credit to the original work. Noncompliance can attract disqualification.

9. Only original scripts shall be eligible for Best Script Award. All adaptations & devised must include a separate write up substantiating ‘original thought’ and IPR vested with the playwright for being considered to be ‘eligible’ to compete in ‘best script’ category.

10. Receipt of Application will only be acknowledged through email.

11. Shortlisted and schedule of Dramas for the festival will be displayed on Vriksh website www.vrikshthetheatre.org . . Shortlisted dramas will also be intimated through email.

12. . Decision made by the panel of judges regarding short listing / awards for performance will be final and questions / clarifications on this will not be entertained.

13. The discretion to decide on any matter relating to Thespis 5 – 2026, including but not limited to, shortlisting of plays, conduct of the play, selection of judges, judgement criteria, awards etc. shall lie with Vriksh the Theatre, and is not contestable by any of the participants under any circumstances.

14. The participants have to give an undertaking that no dispute or legal recourse will be initiated for any matter whatsoever against Vriksh regarding the play/Thespis 2026.

15. Display of obscenity in any form (act, song, gestures, words etc.) will not be tolerated and shall attract stringent action from Vriksh, or Public authority established under law for which the participants alone will be held liable/punishable.

16. Participants are required to share the video of complete rehearsal / run-through of their drama by the 15th January 2026. Any failure to meet this requirement shall affect your opportunity to stage the show. If any part of the sequence which is not in the video is added while staging the drama, consequence could extend to disqualification. It can also attract legal proceedings depending upon the obnoxious content, in the part added. It is further clarified that any dispute arising on or behalf of the party in this regard will not be entertained.

17. Maximum 10 minutes is the time limit allowed for arranging the set prior to the presentation and 5 minutes for removing it after the performance. Taking more time is likely to be adversely affect ‘shortlisting for awards’.

18. We do not provide monetary support to any of the participants for preparation / travel /enactment of play and the like.

19. If the event is rescheduled due to ‘force majeure’ / unforeseen contingencies, organizers shall not be liable for any loss incurred by the participants.

20. Micro Drama Application fee Rs.1000/- has to be submitted along with application.

21. Application without fee will not be considered for evaluation/shortlisting. The last date for submission of application is 15th November 2025.

22. Application form submitted by the participant should clearly state that he/she agrees to all the terms and conditions of Thespis 5 - National Micro Drama Festival 2026. Application has to be submitted to thespis.nmdf@gmail.com.

23. In case the Application is rejected by the screening committee, the entry fee will not be refunded.

24. Application form submitted by the participant should clearly state that he/she agrees to all the terms and conditions of Thespis 5 - National Micro Drama Festival 2026.

25.Duly filled Application along with requisite enclosures* and DD for Rs. 1000/- in favour of Vriksh The Theatre, payable at New Delhi shall be addressed to: Secretary, Vriksh the Theatre, 309, Gobind Apartment, Vasundhara Enclave, New Delhi -110096.

26. For Online transfer of application fee,The bank details is as follows::
Account Number: 11050200042515
Account Type: Current
IFSC Code:FDRL0001105
SWIFT Code: FDRLINBBIBD
Name of Account: VRIKSH THE THEATRE
Name of Bank:FEDERAL BANK
Bank Address: Block-M Connaught Place, M17, opposite Fire Station, New Delhi, Delhi 110001

27. Payments accepted by UPI, BANK TRANSFERS, CASH DEPOSIT IN BANK ACCOUNT, CHEQUE / DD. After the payment, Please send the screenshot of payment slip by email to thespis.nmdf@gmail.com. Cash payment is not acceptable. UPI PAYMENT CAN BE DONE to +917678270065

28. None of the organizing committee members (Thespis 2026) or members of Vriksh shall be eligible to participate in the National Micro Drama Festival.

29.Vriksh reserves the right to show the replay of any micro drama (captured on any media / platform on the day of festival) for any audience at any later date/occasion.

30. Copyright of Micro Drama, if any, will not be applicable for Vriksh the Theatre for which an NOC has to be submitted along with the application form by the participant.

31. List of Enclosures (Click to Download)
FORM 1 - Application Form
FORM 2 - NOC
FORM 3 – Undertaking

32. Thespis 5 – 2026 doesn’t guarantee the minimum number of plays that will be staged as part of the event. The committee reserves the right to preclude a short-listed play based on the final rehearsal video submitted, if it is found to be violating any of the rules.

33. Any play or performance that, in its content, message, or presentation, contains expressions deemed anti-national, including but not limited to content that undermines the sovereignty, unity, integrity, or security of India, or promotes hatred against the State, shall not be permitted to be staged. The organizers reserve the right to review and disallow any production that is found to contravene these principles, and their decision in this regard shall be final and binding."

34. For any grievances relating to your participation in Thespis 2026 please send a mail to thespis.nmdf@gmail.com

35. For any further clarifications please contact: +91 9717077848, +91 9891267270 or log on to www.vrikshthetheatre.org