Each year at Hollywood Fringe, we celebrate the end of the festival with our Awards Ceremony and Closing Night Party (this year, it’s the evening of June 30th at Los Angeles LGBT Center!) Two types of awards are given out: Community Awards (“The Freaks”) & Discover Fringe Awards (formerly Sponsored Awards). Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about each type of award!

COMMUNITY AWARDS: 

The Community Awards, lovingly known as “The Freaks”, are determined by the Fringe community via a voting process. Fringe community members receive ballots in the last days of the festival via email. The productions with the most votes in a given category are announced as nominees hours prior to the ceremony via an email newsletter and website post, and the ultimate winners are revealed at the awards ceremony.

Who gets to vote on Community Awards? You will receive a ballot via email at the end of the festival to vote on Community Awards if you (1) are an HFF25 participant or venue manager added to a specific HFF25 project OR (2) reserve tickets for 3 or more shows on the Hollywood Fringe website OR (3) write 3 or more reviews for HFF25 shows.

Categories for HFF25 Community Awards:

Top of the Fringe Award 2025 

Fringe International Award 2025 

Fringe First for World Premiere 2025 

Fringe Award for Cabaret & Burlesque 2025 

Fringe Award for Clown & Alternative Comedy 2025 

Fringe Award for Comedic Theatre 2025 

Fringe Award for Comedy & Variety Acts 2025 

Fringe Award for Dance & Physical Theatre 2025 

Fringe Award for Dramatic Theatre 2025 

Fringe Award for Immersive & Games 2025 

Fringe Award for Musicals & Operas 2025 

Fringe Award for Solo Theatre 2025

DISCOVER FRINGE AWARDS (formerly known as Sponsored Awards): 

Discover Fringe Awards are presented by outside organizations to commend excellence in a number of categories. These awards tend to be more specific than the community awards and may include monetary gifts or an extension to a show’s run. Hollywood Fringe participants must submit themselves for consideration, and winners are announced at the awards ceremony along with the community awards.

How to apply for Discover Fringe Awards: Each Discover Fringe Award presenter will have different qualifications and requirements to be considered for their awards (which can be found on their individual award pages, located HERE). Some awards will have a form to fill out, and others will require that you contact them directly through the Hollywood Fringe website to submit yourself for consideration. Some will also have a deadline to apply. Be thoughtful when you submit your show to be considered for an award, and remember not to overwhelm award presenters with messages or emails – they will do their very best to see as many shows as possible. 

Sample message:

“Hi <NAME>, my name is <NAME> and I’d love to be considered for <NAME OF AWARD> for my show <NAME OF SHOW>. <add information about why your show is qualified and should be considered for the award>. Thank you for your consideration! <NAME>”

*Make sure to include the award name in the subject line of the message so that they know what you are messaging about!

You are welcome (but not required) to comp tickets for award presenters/judges. They will request comp tickets through the Hollywood Fringe website, and their title (award presenter, judge, etc.) will be specified with the comp request. 

2025 Discover Fringe Awards: (view them all and apply here)

Best of Fuery, presented by Stephanie Feury Studio Theatre (learn more)

Ella Turenne Award, presented by Hollywood Fringe Access Advisory Committee (learn more)

International Fringe Encore Series, presented by SoHo Playhouse (learn more)

No Room in the Green Room Award, presented by Make Believe Stage Productions, LLC (learn more)

Spirit of the Fest Award, presented by Short+Sweet Hollywood (learn more)

Splash Award, presented by Namba Performing Arts Space, Inc (learn more)

The Daredevil Award, presented by Electric Lodge (learn more)

The Loud Karma Emerging Women and Nonbinary Playwright’s Award, presented by Loud Karma Productions, LLC (learn more)

The Movie Book Club Award, presented by The Movie Book Club (learn more)

The Sacred Fools’ Award for Bold Theatricality, presented by Sacred Fools (learn more)

The Screamiest, presented by Midsummer Scream (learn more)

The StageCrafts Freeway Circuit Award, presented by The StageCrafts (learn more)

The Theatre Theater Playwright Award, presented by Theatre Theater Podcast (learn more)

Transcendent Craft Award, presented by Trans Stories / Joy Who Lived (learn more)

This year, we are thrilled to help share art across the globe and create opportunities for artists to expand their reach. Through exciting collaborations with partnering Fringe Festivals, we are providing opportunity for their artists and ours. Each of these awards will include a performance opportunity in person at the following partner festivals:

Adelaide Fringe Festival Exchange Award, presented by Adelaide Fringe Festival in Adelaide, Australia (learn more)

Denver Fringe Festival Exchange Award, presented by Denver Fringe Festival in Denver, CO (learn more)

Fringe Italia Off Exchange Award, presented by Fringe Italia Off in Italy (learn more)

Sydney Fringe Festival Exchange Award, presented by Sydney Fringe Festival in Sydney, Australia (learn more)

VIEW ALL DISCOVER FRINGE AWARDS AND APPLY HERE!

How to finalize your full guide listing on the website:

• Log in as the primary contact (or admin) of the project
• Navigate to your project’s page
• Click the “Admin” tab
• Click on the “Guide Proof” submenu item
• Study your preview. Your listing in the guide will look exactly like the preview.
• There are links to the right telling you how to update the information in your listing if needed.
• Note: Your short listing is limited to 300 CHARACTERS (spaces and carriage returns count). You can use this handy tool to help you count your CHARACTERS (a character is not a word, it is a space, letter, number, etc.)

Be sure to double-check the following:

1. Title
2. Company
3. Run time (Contact your venue to update)
4. Minimum age 
5. Short description
6. General ticket price (The guide will reflect a range if each performance has a unique price)
7. Category (Change via your project page – tips on choosing your category can be found here!)
8. Schedule (Contact your venue to update)

Don’t forget to additionally check your checkboxes on the “edit tab” with all of your show specifications, like world premiere, and content warning) 

Having trouble?? Watch Web Sessions #2, where we walk through everything you need to know! Or as always, reach out to [email protected]

This blog post will be continually updated as more artist marketing opportunities get announced.

See below for the Fringe-sponsored and organized marketing opportunities you’ll have at your disposal – there are many chances to let people know about your show now through June!

Office Hours

It’s at the top for a reason! Join Hollywood Fringe staff and participants for weekly casual meet-ups at different bars and restaurants around Hollywood. These events are your chance to start building your network and market your show! Office Hours take place on Wednesdays from 7 – 10 pm. As the schedule is updated, be sure to check out the events page for where they’ll be.

Lightning Round
Come on down to Fringe HQ on May 24th & 25th from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and us your favorite line from your show! Come in costume, make that impression! We’ll be posting it to our socials during the month of May and June! Sign up here to make sure you reserve a spot!

Postcards & Posters and where to drop them off
Bring your postcards & a single poster to Fringe HQ during any open Fringe HQ hours Wednesday- Sunday. Please keep in mind that poster space is limited, so we cannot accept posters larger than 11 × 17. Please check in with a member of Fringe Staff, and we will provide you instructions on placement (& hang the poster for you!)! We will also begin accepting posters & postcards (limit 40) at Office Hours starting April 30th.

It’s a great way to engage with your audience at Fringe. A reminder: print the Hollywood Fringe logo on your materials; you can find the logo on the Fringe site at https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/branding

Fringe Venues & local Hollywood businesses are also great places to put up your posters and flyers. Please make sure to talk with the venue or establishment manager first before putting up your promotional material. 

Postcard Etiquette Reminders!
Do not move/cover up other postcards with your own in any spaces. Fringe staff won’t hesitate to remove your flyers if you do this. If you’re having trouble finding room, consult with the person you asked permission from to drop them off! 
Don’t hand out postcards to an audience walking out of a show unless you have explicit permission. 
Do not hand out postcards in the public areas of the Ovation Center (the mall surrounding Fringe HQ) as there is a strict no solicitation policy and you will be asked to move. You may promote your show on Hollywood Blvd, though!
Don’t leave flyers at any business without permission. And don’t litter!

Ads on the Fringe Site
You can purchase ads on the Hollywood Fringe site with special participant rates (50% off the normal rate). This is an effective and inexpensive way to draw a wider audience to your show. Visit hollywoodfringe.org/market to check out your options.

HFF25 Discounts for Commissioners Club members and volunteers
Hollywood Fringe Festival is a nonprofit organization that relies heavily on volunteers and small donations to continue to support this amazing community of artists. We wouldn’t be able to run the Hollywood Fringe Festival without these amazing people! One way you can help us say thank you is by offering them a free or discounted ticket to your show.  

Here’s how to advertise your discounts for HFF members and volunteers:

STEP ONE: Create your code – our suggested discount is $5 off (or more)! Please name your code “HFFThanks”

STEP TWO: Fill out this form so we can add your show to the list!

Cabaret
Fringe Cabaret is the only official Hollywood Fringe Festival sampler platter! Applications are open now! You can also promote your show by offering free tickets or swag to be raffled off during Cabaret performances!!

Runway: Showcasing The Best of Hollywood Fringe 2025 Costume Design
At our annual fashion show and party we shine the spotlight on the brilliant costumes that will grace stages across Hollywood during the festival. Select shows will be given the chance to strut their stuff, then the audience will vote for their favorite design! Get audiences excited about your show and celebrate the work of incredible fringe designers.

Hollywood Fringe productions can apply for the chance to compete in Runway using this form.

The deadline to enter is Sunday, May 25th before midnight. More information about the qualifying criteria is available on the application form. Good luck!

Sponsored Drink Auction for our June 11th Opening Night Party

This marketing opportunity will become active and available for entry at the end of the month- check your emails!

Busking

Busking is back better than ever! We have some options for you this time for you to perform and get the word out about your show! Sign-up here!

KEEPING IT LEGAL 

We are not lawyers, so we are not able to give legal advice, but we wanted to provide some resources that may help you start your own research journey! Always consult a lawyer if you have any questions.

Reminder, just because Fringe is a non-profit organization and most shows that participate are low-budget (or free ticket) productions doesn’t mean copyright holders can’t claim infringement. You still need to make sure you have the rights to fulfill your vision.

For reference, all primary producers should be aware that there is a paragraph in the registration materials that requires you to assure that you own or otherwise have the rights to any and all intellectual property in your project, in the marketing materials as well as the production itself.  Your show’s content is ultimately your responsibility, and you should clear all materials (visuals, music, sound, script, promotional materials, printed and digital images, etc.) before anything goes to print or you perform on stage at HFF. Consult with your attorney if you have any questions. 

Below are some examples of issues that may need to be resolved or considered before your guide listing goes to print and tickets go on sale: 

• If you (or a team member) are not the writer on your HFF project, ensure you have the writer’s permission, OR have the rights to the published work you present at the festival. 

• You should have the rights to any imagery you use in promoting your HFF show (in the guide, on our website, and any other place you print or publish images) or within the show itself. Taking a photo off a website is likely problematic; please confirm it is copyright-free or obtain a license for the use.

• You should not use a likeness that may be protected or is otherwise subject to copyright (for example, part of an image that is slightly modified or re-created but still visibly similar to branding or an image that you do not own). 

• You should use copyright-free music, music that you (or a team member) wrote, music you have direct permission to use AND/OR music you have obtained a license for (each individual published song needs a license) before, after or during your show.

• Parodies (or even imagery/sound/catch phrases/costumes) that resemble a real person, group, company, or organization too closely may be legally problematic, so please consult an attorney to obtain a legal opinion before proceeding. 

• Public domain is a complex issue, so please consult an attorney and don’t make assumptions that material is free to use.   

There are many online resources, but AI or ChatGPT should not be considered reliable for advice. 

Additional Sources:

https://www.eyeem.com/blog/photo-copyright-101-is-it-legal-to-use-photos-from-the-internet

https://images.google.com/

Hello Artists! 

This June, we’ll see over 350 show premieres in Hollywood at over 25 venues in LA and while everyone’s been getting ready for their productions, the question of “How do I market my show?” may have entered your mind. Well, no fear! We’ll touch on just some of the ways you can market your show in print media! 

However, before we dive in, we have to talk about rights, licensing, and branding.

You must own, have permission to use (copyright-free counts here) or have a license for every element of your show (music, sound, script, visuals, promotional materials/printed and digital images, etc.).

An additional reminder: We strongly encourage placing the Fringe logo on your print materials to indicate your show is a part of the larger festival. All those branding images can be found here: https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/branding

Any materials dropped at Fringe Central without this logo will be filed and available for pickup until the last day of the festival, when it will be recycled.

Now that we’ve covered that, let’s dive into all the ways print media will possibly come into play with your Fringe experience! 

Guide Ads

The Hollywood Fringe Festival will be releasing a festival guide, which will feature all of the shows that registered by April 15th. The Guide ads are the only way to have an image of your show in the Guide. Once a show is registered (i.e. paid the registration fee $300) you will get access to discounts on the guide ad pages as well! To check out last year’s 2024 Guide, check it out here.

For information on how to purchase an ad for our guide check out https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/market

More information on specs, Canva, and Photoshop templates can be found here!

Postcards & Posters

Distributing postcards, posters, and/or other creative marketing products is a great way to market your show. And keep in mind, based on last year’s 2024 festival, that 12.7% of surveyed festival audiences made decisions on which show to see based on a show’s poster & postcards. Here are some rules (and tips!) regarding your printed goods.

You MUST…

• Print the Hollywood Fringe logo on your materials. 

• You can download the logo at hollywoodfringe.org/branding (if you forget to do this, you can print stickers of the Fringe logo and place them on the flyers).

You MUST NOT…

• Leave or adhere your promotional materials anywhere without permission, especially in public places. The city can issue a fine for unauthorized posters/flyers. If you have a relationship with a local business or would like to put up your posters at a local business, you MUST always ask first!

You SHOULD…

• Use creativity to make your materials stand out from the crowd!

• Make sure the main text is legible, even from a few feet away.

• Include essential info: What, Where, When, and How Much are the most important details. Don’t leave this out, but also don’t include so much text that it overwhelms your materials.

• Spell check, spell check, spell check!

• Offer your materials to people you don’t know, but make conversation first. Be engaging!

• Place your postcards in Fringe Central (where we’ll only be able to take 40 postcards from each production, and we’ll only accept posters no larger than 11×17 inches). Please bring them to any Fringe Office Hours (Wednesdays), and Fringe Staff will collect your materials for Fringe Central.

You can also ask Fringe Venues & Hot Spots (make sure to talk with the venue or establishment manager first). Let them know you are part of the Hollywood Fringe, and they’ll let you know where you can display your materials if they have space.  

You SHOULD NOT…

• Move/cover up other postcards with your own. The Fringe staff won’t hesitate to remove your flyers if you do this. If you’re having trouble finding room, consult with the venue’s manager.

• Hand out postcards to an audience walking out of a show unless you have permission. 

• Print more flyers than you need – please be mindful of the environment.

• Leave flyers at any business without permission

Finally, Discounts! 

Make sure to check out our participant packet (found at https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/participants) that also has some wonderful discounts from local businesses and artists on such services like media packages, graphic designers, and printing!

So go out there, be brave, be kind, and market the hell out of your show!