Artist and filmmaker applications are officially open for SleuthFest 2026, the intrigue-filled celebration of mystery, suspense, noir, and crime storytelling coming to the Hobgoblin Playhouse in Hollywood’s Sunset Junction from February 19th through March 1st, 2026.
SleuthFest welcomes creators at every level—first-time producers, indie filmmakers, and veteran companies—to share thrilling, twist-filled, and genre-bending work with Los Angeles audiences. Programming spans live theatrical mysteries, a short film festival of suspenseful cinema, and specially curated screenings of classic whodunits and detective tales. From family-friendly capers to late-night noir, SleuthFest will keep audiences guessing from the opening curtain to the final reveal.
What Is SleuthFest?
SleuthFest is a mystery-themed theatre and film festival in Hollywood that welcomes artists of all backgrounds and producing levels. Whether you are producing for the very first time or you’ve been producing small theater for years, you’ll find fun and welcoming opportunities at SleuthFest.
The festival is lightly curated: the only requirement is that the plays fit somewhere within the mystery genre.
Want to put up a parody musical about that popular sleuthing board game?
How about a vintage radio-play production of The Shadow? You could even record it live as a podcast!
Maybe a solo show about that time you discovered the truth behind a mysterious cult?
A door-slamming whodunit ensemble farce?
Or perhaps a classic Sherlock Holmes tale reimagined?
No matter how your investigation proceeds, you’ll find that SleuthFest is a celebration of the art of discovery.
Key Dates for SleuthFest 2026:
For Live Productions
- 2026 Applications Open: November 1st, 2025
- 2026 Tickets On Sale: January 2nd, 2026
- 2026 Festival Dates: February 19th – March 1st, 2026
SleuthFest Film 2026
- Submissions Open: November 1st, 2025
- Earlybird Deadline: November 15th, 2025
- Regular Deadline: December 15th, 2025
- Late Deadline: January 2nd, 2025
- Notification Date: January 15th, 2025
- 2026 Festival Dates: February 19th-March 1st, 2026
Why SleuthFest?
Fair question! We can think of many reasons why you’d want to participate in a festival setting rather than mounting a standalone production.
For one, standalone productions are much more expensive, and the costs are all usually front-loaded. When you participate in our genre-based mini-festivals, you have the option to pay in full upfront or arrange a door split with guaranteed minimum that’s paid out after you close.
Beyond that, there are a number of benefits to bringing your holiday production to SleuthFest:
- Simple Scheduling: pre-made performance packages to choose from with tech and dress time already bundled, plus discounts on rehearsal space
- Superior Tech: The Hobgoblin Playhouse offers a fully equipped black box theater, with a full LED lighting rep plot, 7.2 surround sound system, and high-def laser projection capability.
- Savvy Staff: The StageCrafts are theatre professionals with over fifty years of experience both onstage and backstage between them. They’ve seen and done it all in small theater, and they’ve surrounded themselves with a professional and capable team of stage managers, designers, and house staff that will make you feel right at home.
“We keep fees low, offer straightforward all-inclusive production packages, and put our marketing muscle behind every booking,” added Crafts. “You bring your show; we’ll bring the cocoa.”
How to Register for SleuthFest
If you’d like to bring your show or or your short to SleuthFest this year, the first thing to do is watch our informational video, where you’ll get all of the pertinent details about the festival and take a virtual tour of the official festival venue, The Hobgoblin Playhouse.
For Live Productions
If you have a live production to submit (a play, musical, etc.) take a look at the festival’s official info sheet with details about production packages and pricing.
Once you’ve watched the informational video and reviewed the info sheet, visit our official SleuthFest festival application and submit your project!
For SleuthFest Film
If you have a film you’d like to enter into SleuthFest Film, please submit it via the SleuthFest Film page on FilmFreeway.
Need Help?
If you have any questions or concerns, or if you’d like to take an in-person tour of The Hobgoblin, please reach out to us via phone, e-mail, or social media.
If you’d like to know more about SleuthFest and our other seasonal genre-based mini-festivals, take a look at this article!
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