A global stage created to spotlight directors and performers as individuals, not just as part of a crowded field.
So You Think You Can Direct/Act exists solely to recognize the work of directors, actors and actresses from around the world, across features, documentaries, shorts, reels and key scenes.
How it works
What makes So You Think You Can Direct/Act unique is its commitment to individualized evaluation. Each submission is studied and scored on its own inherent value, not in a direct popularity contest against other entries queued up beside it.
Judges focus entirely on your work during your evaluation window, using a performance scale that rewards craft, choices and impact instead of comparing you to whoever submitted next. This approach ensures that both emerging and established talents can be recognized on a level creative playing field.
Awards are determined by a combination of judges’ points and overall performance level on that scale. When your film, reel or scene is recognized, it is because it stood out on its own terms.
Categories
Directing
- Directors (live screening of their work, plus one free actor submission)
Lead roles
- Male Leading Actor – Drama / Romance / Horror / Sci‑Fi / Comedy / Other
- Female Leading Actress – Drama / Romance / Horror / Sci‑Fi / Comedy / Other
- Under 18 Leading Actor – Drama / Romance / Horror / Sci‑Fi / Comedy / Other Under 18
- Under 18 Leading Actress – Drama / Romance / Horror / Sci‑Fi / Comedy / Other Under 18
Supporting roles
- Male Supporting Actor – Drama / Romance / Horror / Sci‑Fi / Comedy / Other
- Female Supporting Actress – Drama / Romance / Horror / Sci‑Fi / Comedy / Other
- Under 18 Supporting Actor – Drama / Romance / Horror / Sci‑Fi / Comedy / Other Under 18
- Under 18 Supporting Actress – Drama / Romance / Horror / Sci‑Fi / Comedy / Other Under 18
Monologues & scenes
- Male Actor in a Monologue
- Actress in a Monologue
- Two actors (any gender combination) in a romantic scene
- Two actors (any gender combination) in a dramatic scene
- Two actors (any gender combination) in a comedic scene
Rules & terms · Awards & prizes
Rules & terms
- Foreign‑language clips must include English subtitles so judges can fully evaluate the performance.
- Clips drawn from film performances should run between 1 and 20 minutes and may be submitted as a montage of scenes featuring your work.
- Monologue submissions should not exceed 5 minutes in length.
- Please do not embed monologues inside a larger montage clip; submit them separately in the dedicated monologue categories.
- When submitting a single clip from a movie performance, clearly indicate the film’s title and director’s name.
- The number of awards at each level may vary from deadline to deadline, depending on the total volume and level of entries received.
- The competition reserves the right to refuse entries that do not meet technical, ethical or eligibility standards.
Awards & prizes
Multiple awards are given across genres and categories at several levels: Best of Festival, Best of Show, Outstanding Excellence, Excellence, Merit and Kudos. Both directors and actors are considered for these honors.
- Directors screening: The top award‑winning director (Best of Festival) receives a live screening of their film at the Cinema Art Theater in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, with optional presentation on the WRPN.tv online network.
- Director recognition: Best of Festival directors receive a physical certificate (free shipping within the USA), with additional levels including Best of Show, Outstanding Excellence, Excellence, Exceptional Merit, Merit and Kudos.
- Distribution review: Top award‑winning directors (Best of Festival) will have their films reviewed by distribution associates such as Worldwide Motion Pictures Corporation, Adler & Associates and Cardinal XD, bringing decades of combined experience in worldwide distribution.
- Online exposure: The WRPN.tv Entertainment Network offers an optional opportunity to showcase your film or acting demo reel to viewers in more than 50 countries, as well as invited casting directors and distributors.
- Actors’ visibility: Best of Festival actors can receive a dedicated display page on WRPN.tv, featuring a bio, video demo reel and photos, plus a certificate (free shipping within the USA).
- Award volume: The number of awards granted in each tier may increase or decrease depending on the strength and quantity of entries in a given competition cycle.