E FESTIVAL is Birmingham’s annual summer festival of international arts. It aims to uncover exciting artists, theatre makers and companies making work across Europe and bring them together for a week-long celebration of theatre, dance, circus, site-specific and visual arts.

We look for work that crosses borders (linguistic, cultural, artistic), pushes boundaries and can connect/inspire people of all nationalities. Continuing with the topic opened in 2019, we will be paying particular attention to work related to the themes of archive and memory.

Who can apply?

Companies from across Europe can apply either with a finished show or with a piece that is still in development. Performances at BE can be no longer than 30 minutes, longer shows can be adapted to 30 minutes. The festival also welcomes applications from artists specialising in site-specific work; again this can be a show already in existence or the idea for one. 

BE FESTIVAL is an invaluable showcase opportunity as performances are watched by national and international programmers and producers. Companies who performed at BE have since been programmed at London International Mime Festival, The Barbican, South Bank Centre, The Lowry, Traverse Theatre, Bilbao ACT Festival, Rome Short Theatre Festival, FITT Festival and Sarajevo MESS Festival to name a few. Furthermore, it’s a space to meet other artists, explore ideas and build new collaborations across Europe. 

Selected companies will receive: 

• Return travel 
• Accommodation 
• Meals throughout the festival (23-27 June)
• Transport in Birmingham
• A minimum fee of £100 per performer. This is based on helping with one performance and a 30 minute length.
• Free access to all of the performance programme, world-class workshops, feedback, discussions and opportunities for professional development.