Organizer Information
MUSICONNECT ITALY – Napoli World is Italy's only international showcase festival and professional meeting entirely dedicated to world music, held annually in Naples' historic center. The event is promoted by Italian World Beat and AUDIOIMAGE under the organizational direction of Fabio Scopino and Davide Mastropaolo, with artistic direction by Maestro Enzo Avitabile, a prominent Neapolitan musician. The festival receives funding from the City of Naples as part of the "Napoli Città della Musica" project and from Italy's Ministry of Culture (FUS 2025 Special Projects and the FUS 2025–2027 Triennial plan), and it holds the moral patronage of the Comune di Napoli. Napoli World is also a member of "UPBEAT – The European Showcase Platform for World Music," a European Community-funded initiative supporting the world music industry across the continent. Past editions have combined live showcases with panels, speed meetings, and workshops, drawing international festival programmers and delegates from countries across Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and have partnered with organizations including Babel Music Expo.
Title & Description
MUSICONNECT ITALY – Napoli World 2026: Call for Artists (Showcase Programme)
Now in its fifth edition, Napoli World takes place in Naples from 3 to 5 December 2026 and centers on a curated showcase programme selected by Artistic Director Enzo Avitabile. The call invites musical projects working in World Music, Folk, Ethnic Music, World Jazz, World Electro, and related genres to apply for one of up to sixteen showcase slots, each a 45-minute live performance before an audience of Italian and international music professionals — festival programmers, booking agents, and promoters. The festival positions itself as a platform for artistic growth and international networking, supporting artists' development of new touring and booking opportunities abroad.
Categories
- Sound/Music
- Performance
- Culture
Eligibility
- Applications accepted in three categories: Regional (at least 50%+1 of members, or the lead artist, from the Campania Region), National (at least 50%+1 of members, or the lead artist, Italian), and International (at least 50%+1 of members, or the lead artist, based outside Italy)
- Each artist or band may submit only one application; if multiple applications refer to the same artist, only the first received will be considered
- Projects may include a maximum of six performing musicians
Program Benefits & Awards
- Regional category: flat performance fee of €100 (+VAT where applicable) per musician (max. 6), plus one Tour Manager/Sound Engineer, meals and catering on the day of the show
- National category: flat performance fee of €150 (+VAT where applicable) per musician (max. 6), one Tour Manager/Sound Engineer, one hotel night (shared twin room), meals and catering on the day of the show
- International category: flat performance fee of €200 (+VAT where applicable) per musician (max. 6), one Tour Manager/Sound Engineer, one hotel night (shared twin room), local transfers where arranged by the organiser, meals and catering on the day of the show
- Additional travel or accommodation support may be granted at the organiser's discretion
- Basic technical production, sound system, lighting, and standard backline provided by the organiser
- A 45-minute live showcase slot before an audience of Italian and international music industry professionals
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 31 August 2026
- Selection results communicated from: 15 September 2026
- Showcase festival: 3–5 December 2026
Location
Naples, Italy
Additional Details
- Payments are made by bank transfer within 90 days after the event, upon receipt of required fiscal documentation
- Selected applicants must perform on the date/time assigned by the Production Office and provide required Italian employment documentation (INPS – former ENPALS) where applicable, before the performance
- Selected artists may not announce their participation before the organiser's official announcement, and may not perform publicly within 100 km of Naples during the 30 days preceding the showcase, unless authorised by the organiser
- Selected artists must cooperate with promotional activities (interviews, photography, filming, live streaming), subject to release forms, and must tag Musiconnect Italy – Napoli World's official social channels using the provided social media kit
- Failure to comply with the Rules & Regulations may result in cancellation of participation
- An automatic confirmation email is sent upon submission