First Ever Ojai Storytelling Festival Story Slam

Enter Ojai Storytelling Festival’s first ever Story Slam!

Deadline 11:59pm August 15th!

Anyone age 16 and over can enter – all you need is a little bit of courage and a TRUE, five-minute story that suits this year’s theme, THE FIRST TIME.

Applications are in the form of a recorded (mp3 or mp4) 2-minute story excerpt. All entries will be judged by a panel and six will be selected to tell at the Ojai Storytelling Festival on Thursday, October 26. Those selected to tell will receive a weekend ticket to the Festival!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Your story must connect to the theme THE FIRST TIME in some way. You do not need to say the words ‘THE FIRST TIME’ in your story, but you do need to connect your story to the idea. Use your imagination in how to interpret the theme.

• True, original stories only. Names can be changed but the story must have happened

• Contestants must be at least 16 years old.

• Stories must be told, not read. No notes, props, or music.

• Content must be suitable for a general audience, ages 13 and up.

• Former featured Ojai Storytelling Festival tellers are not eligible to enter.

• Be sure it’s a story with a beginning, middle and end, and not a joke or anecdote.

• No “isms” will be tolerated-The Ojai Storytelling Festival strives to create a safe, inclusive and affirming community space to share our life experiences with one another. If a storyteller expresses oppressive views or derogatory language (racist, sexist, cissexist, heterosexist, classist, ableist, etc.) on the OSF mic, they will be cut off mid‐story and not permitted to tell again in the future. Story is one of the most powerful tools available for building empathy and understanding across differences, so we hope that OSF is able to do just that.

• You’ll be notified if you’ve been chosen for the Slam by October 1.

PRIZES

First place: $200

Second place: $100

Third place: $50

TO ENTER

You can enter by recording a 2 minute audio excerpt of your story in mp3 or mp4 format and emailing it to contest@ojaistoryfest.org. Make sure the excerpt conveys how your story will relate to the theme “THE FIRST TIME.”

Email your recording to:

contest@ojaistoryfest.org

Subject Line: Story Slam 2023

Please include your full name,email address, and phone number.

Deadline to enter is 11:59PM August 15th. You’ll be notified by September 30 by phone if you’re in the top six.

REMEMBER!

It is a competition – and if you are selected to tell at the Festival, you’ll only have five minutes at the mic to wow the judges. You will be judged on your performance, how well the story is crafted, its connection to the theme, and adherence to the 5-minute time limit. Please remember you do not have to say the theme ‘THE FIRST TIME’ in your story; it only needs to be implied. Be creative!

We can’t wait to hear your stories!