HOW IT STARTED

“INK is a seedbed of talent, jobs and opportunities for writers, directors, actors and crew at any age and every level.”

Julia Sowerbutts - Artistic Director

INK began with a writer’s desperate cry that there were almost no platforms for new scripts to see the light of day. So we made one. In 2015 we staged 15 short plays at our first festival in Halesworth, Suffolk. Fast forward ten years. We are now producing at least 70 original short plays from over 1000 annual script submissions.

There is no big secret to this success. There are very few places in the world where a complete unknown can get their work produced to the same standard as a seasoned professional in front of a live audience. Writers want their work to be seen; and audiences are hungry for stories.

The magic of short plays is that they never overstay their welcome, and the best always leave you wanting more.

wHAT WE do ⟶

What’s on now

Welcome to the vibrant world of INK, where creativity takes shape in all kinds of exciting ways throughout the year. Our events and activities offer more than just a festival – they’re an ongoing celebration of storytelling, performance and community.

What's On

INK Festival 24-27 Apr 2025

Welcome to the 9th INK Festival, with an extensive menu of original short plays by showbiz veterans, first-timers, and inspired East Anglians. As well as poetry, comedy, short films, Q&As, workshops, youth events and the free Halesworth Sunday Funday.

Get your tickets

“The world should pay attention to INK.”

Libby Purves The Times
"The region’s answer to The Edinburgh Festival."

BBC Look East
"The INK Festival - a beacon of creativity."

West End Review
"A superb event of the highest quality."

Writer from Canada
"The amount of sheer talent on display was remarkable."

Audience Member
"Like the best music festival only for the spoken word."

Audience
"What a thrill and a joy to be a part of the creative chaos."

Performer
"Championing the new and the up-and-coming."

Simon O’Hagan The i Paper
"Everywhere I went there were happy people. What an achievement."

Esther Freud
"Encouraging new writing is paramount to the survival of live theatre."

The Stage
"INK Festival is one of the UK’s biggest celebrations of short drama."

The i Paper
"WOW! What fabulous entertainment you have created."

Audience