PodTales 2020

The Sarah Awards and PodTales have Combined

~ jen

The Sarah Awards announced that is has combined with PodTales for 2020. Their original idea was to gather in person at Sarah Lawrence College this fall and “see everyone’s gorgeous faces in person” at the college’s new Barbara Walters Campus Center. The pandemic put an end to those plans.

So we got to work organizing this year’s Sarah Awards ceremony and PodTales online audio fiction festival. It’s an exciting program that will launch in November and have three weekends worth of incredible programming and celebrations. Discover everything PodTales here. The three weekends will all lead up to this year’s The Sarah Awards Ceremony where we will awards to the best audio fiction from around the world.

This year’s Sarah Awards will award a combined $3,750 in prize money for the First ($2,000), Second ($1,000), Third ($500), and Best New Artist ($250). Submission is free and you can enter as many pieces as you would like.

Those interested in entering should take a look at The Sarah Awards 2020 Entry information.

Here are some key points from it:

  • Entries must have been produced between March 2018 and October 2020.
  • Entries must be between 3 minutes and 60 minutes in length.
  • Each entry will be judged individually.
  • Entries of all languages are admissible. However, if your works are not in English, you must provide a transcript in English.
  • All works must be fiction – no documentaries will be accepted.
  • Each entry should consist of one audio file (MP3).
  • All entries must be uploaded by Friday, October 23rd, 2020 at 5 p.m. EST.

PodTales 2020 is an Online Festival of Audio Drama

~ jen

PodTales 2020 is an online festival of audio drama and fiction podcasting. It will occur throughout the first three weekends of November. Culminating in the presentation of The Sarahs, The Sarah Lawerence College International Audio Fiction Awards.

Here is a portion of PodTales Diversity Statement:

PodTales is committed to inclusion across race, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, ethnicity, neurodiversity, and disability status. We aim to ensure every aspect of our show adheres to that commitment, including the assembly of our programming, showcases, pod grants, and anything else that comes into planning this show. We recognize the ongoing oppression of white supremacy and the vital importance and necessity of committing to antiracism, as an organization and as individuals. We aim to host a show that is inclusive and equitable for all who partake, including our attendees, exhibitors, and guests. PodTales is for everyone.

Each day during throughout the month of November, the Podcast Showcase will spotlight a different episode of a different audio storytelling podcast submitted by the creators in the PodTales 2020 dedicated podcast feed. Members of the showcase will also be highlighted on their website.

Podcasts submitted must fall within the art form of imaginative audio storytelling, including audio drama, audio fiction, and real play podcasts. Podcasts must be an original work created and owned by the person or team submitting them.

Podcasters can fill out the PodTales 2020 Podcast Showcase Application if they would like to participate. The application deadline is September 18th at 11:59 PM to be considered.