Actual Play
It's never been easier to start your own actual play — and never been harder to stand out. The Audio Fiction World Cup gives actual play creators the opportunity to show off their work in front of juries around the world, but submission fees add up fast.
The Tabletop Arts Fund is here to help.
Your Actual Play, On the World Stage
Each year, the Tabletop Arts Fund awards grants to five outstanding actual plays. Winners receive a cash grant covering the cost of submission to each of the twelve constituent festivals of the Audio Fiction World Cup. Additionally, winners will receive well technical and creative assistance in preparing their festival submission materials. Eligibility for grants is open to any actual play, audio or video, that released at least one episode to the public in 2024 or will release to the public by January 31st, 2025.
Applicants are selected by a jury of actual play creators and previous grant winners. Submissions are evaluated on their storytelling, performance, and production value, with special consideration given to creators who have not previously appeared in the Audio Fiction World Cup and to creators from marginalized backgrounds.
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The festivals participating in the 2025 Audio Fiction World Cup are:
2025 Grant Recipients
The Tabletop Arts Fund announced the 2025 Grant Recipients on December 20th, 2024. Each of the six winners will receive a cash award of $400 to cover admission fees at all twelve festivals in the Audio Fiction World Cup.
Winners were chosen from a pool of nearly 90 applicants. The judging panel considered each production according to its storytelling, performance, and technical achievement, with special consideration given to first-time festival submitters, and to BIMPOC and LGBT+ creators.
Recipients are listed below in no particular order.
