PodTales, a festival of audio drama and fiction podcasting, is the first event in the United States dedicated to the burgeoning art forms of imaginative audio storytelling. This year, PodTales will hold its second annual festival as a virtual event across three weekends in November, 2020, in partnership with The Sarahs, The Sarah Lawrence College International Audio Fiction Award.
Independent podcasting has put the tools of broadcast media into the hands of more people than ever before, tapping into the power of sound and voice as storytelling media; contemporary story podcasts span the full gamut of fiction genres, from fantasy, sci-fi, and horror, to romance, psychological drama, and thriller, to the literary and experimental. This growing form incorporates a variety of powerful artistic elements—writing, voice acting, and sound design and production—to create a unique and immersive story experience.
PodTales celebrates a medium of storytelling that has experienced an explosion in popularity and a creative renaissance in recent years. The audience for audio drama, audio fiction, and real-play podcasts is diverse, energized, and quickly growing. PodTales is the first podcasting festival in the country devoted exclusively to imaginative audio storytelling. Our first festival, held in October, 2019, featured over 100 exhibiting creators and 24 unique programming events, and attracted over 700 attendees. As part of our mission, PodTales fosters a friendly and creative environment for its attendees.
SHOW FEATURES
| Free Admission | By making admission to both virtual and in-person events free to the general public, PodTales seeks to expand the audience for independent audio drama and fiction podcasts, as well as offering a rewarding community event. |
| Live Panel Discussions | PodTales 2020 will feature 10 live programming events featuring dozens of independent fiction podcasters. Panels will be entertaining and informative, of interest to fans and creators of fiction podcasts. |
| Official Podcast Feed | All live programming will be recorded and made available in perpetuity via the PodTales podcast feed. Recordings of live events recorded at PodTales 2019 will be released to the feed as well, in the lead-up to PodTales 2020. |
| Fiction Podcast Showcase | The PodTales’ podcast feed features a curated showcase of 30 compelling fiction podcasts presented for the enjoyment of podcast fans looking for new shows to enjoy. |
| Socially Conscious Programming | PodTales makes a special effort to feature creators from marginalized backgrounds, exploring how independent audio narrative responds to popular media, reflects social concerns, and contributes to mass culture. |
| Accessible Events | PodTales will provide ASL interpreters, closed captioning, and complete transcripts for all virtual programming at this year’s event. |
PodTales logo and Audio Mouse designed by Braden Lamb.