The festival is open to all Youth Drama groups, schools and projects between the ages of 10 and 25 years of age irrespective of their ethnic, cultural or religious background. All compete for awards for the following:

 One Act Plays

 Mimes

 Improvisations

Everyone competes in age groups as laid out in the Festival Rules.

An adjudicator is employed to judge and comment on performances, using a set marking system from the Guild of Drama Adjudicators, though not necessarily a member of that Guild.  They present the awards appropriately at the end of the festival and give a brief review at the end of each piece.

The festival is held annually at a notified venue within the South West Hertfordshire area and incorporates two festivals in one:

Bushey Youth Drama Festival - originated from the Bushey Council of Youth dating back to 1945. This is only open to Bushey Youth organisations and projects that meet in the Bushey postal area.

South West Hertfordshire Youth Drama Festival – originated from the South-West Hertfordshire Education Division - Cassio College - Youth Service Department, dating back to 1971. This is open to all within South-West Hertfordshire Education Division including but not limited to: -Three Rivers District, St Albans City & District, Dacorum, Watford Borough and Hertsmere Borough Councils.