Emerging creatives with a passion for storytelling are being called to step into the spotlight, as submissions officially open for the 2025 National Young Writers’ Festival (NYWF).
The festival is returning to the land of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples with a fresh theme: Share Space: The Art of Storytelling.
The theme invites artists and audiences alike to reflect on the ways storytelling shapes connection in both personal and collective realms.
This year’s festival promises to spotlight the many forms storytelling can take—whether it be through the written word, performance, podcasting, textiles, or comedy.
Submissions are open to writers and artists aged 18 to 35, including poets, journalists, editors, comedians, screenwriters, and even creators of online video content.
The festival is especially interested in contributions from voices that reflect Australia’s rich diversity.
The 2025 National Young Writers’ Festival is set to run from 3–6 October in Newcastle. Artists can apply via an online form on the NYWF website, and a downloadable Word document is also provided for those requiring alternative access.
