Organizer Information

Teatri Riflessi Festival is organized by IterCulture APS in collaboration with the Municipality of Zafferana Etnea, supported by the Italian Ministry of Culture and the Sicilian Region, under the patronage of the National Centre for Contemporary Italian Dramaturgy and the University of Messina. Led by artistic directors Dario D'Agata and Valerio Verzin, IterCulture APS uses the festival to build an international cross-disciplinary dialogue in contemporary performing arts, fostering deep connections between global creators, local communities, and the landscape of Mount Etna.

Title & Description

12th International Short Performance Competition (Teatri Riflessi Festival 2027)

Teatri Riflessi Festival has launched its global call for applications for the 12th edition of the International Short Performance Competition, taking place in Zafferana Etnea, Sicily, in July 2027. Dedicated to live works with an ideal duration of 15 minutes, the competition values the short performance format as an autonomous, expressive artistic medium defined by immediacy and intensity. The 2027 curatorial edition centers around the theme "Constellations", focusing on interdependency, mutual reliance, and human connection as a daily choice. Selected works will compete in outdoor venues before a vast general public, international programmers, curators, scholars, and critics.

Categories

The competition accepts live contemporary performance practices across Contemporary Dance, Theatre, Physical Theatre, Contemporary Circus, Performance Art, and Interdisciplinary Formats.

Eligibility

  • Geographic Scope: Open globally to applicants of any nationality or origin.
  • Applicant Type: Open to individual artists, companies, collectives, associations, and informal groups.
  • Language & Surtitling: Works may be presented in any language. For pieces featuring spoken dialogue, IterCulture APS provides Italian and English surtitles.
  • Duration Limits: Designed for short self-contained works of ~15 minutes (maximum stage occupancy cannot exceed 20 minutes total, including setup and dismantling).
  • Format Integrity: Full performance video recordings are mandatory (trailers, teasers, or excerpts are not accepted).

Program Benefits & Awards

  • Performance Cachet: Each selected company receives a performance fee ranging from €500 to €1,100 gross (based on ensemble size).
  • Travel Contribution: Companies not receiving external mobility grants are eligible for a travel contribution of up to €250 per selected work.
  • Monetary Competition Prizes:
    • Best Performance – Teatri Riflessi 2027: €1,200 gross
    • Scholars’ and Critics’ Choice: €500 gross
    • Best Dramaturgy: €500 gross
    • Best Direction: €500 gross
    • Best Performer: €500 gross
    • Valentina Nicosia Fund: €500 gross
    • Youth Jury Award: €300 gross
    • Sandra Bressan Research Award (Residency + Grant): €1,800 gross grant plus travel/accommodation coverage for an autumn 2027 community research residency in Mount Etna.
  • Industry & Network Opportunities: Programmers and festival partners award touring invitations, production co-funding, mentorship, and artist residencies across international networks (e.g., Circuito CLAPS, Rete Anticorpi XL).

Application Fee

  • Submission Fee: 100% Free to apply.
  • Confirmation Deposit: Only selected companies pay a €50 confirmation deposit upon accepting their spot, which is fully refunded following the festival along with performance cachets.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted digitally through the authorized Google Forms registration system.

Key Dates

  • Applications Open: July 27, 2026
  • Application Submission Deadline: October 15, 2026, at 17:00 CEST
  • Selection Announcement: By November 30, 2026
  • Mandatory Festival Dates (Physical Attendance): July 13 – July 18, 2027

Location

The physical festival, rehearsals, industry forums, and public competition sessions take place in Italy at:

  • Falcone e Borsellino Open-Air Theatre & Public Squares, Zafferana Etnea (Catania, Mount Etna region), Sicily, Italy

Additional Details

Selected artists must commit to full physical presence in Zafferana Etnea from July 13–18, 2027. IterCulture APS arranges discounted local accommodation and catering rates for participants. Rehearsals are mandatory and scheduled between July 13 and 14.

Website Link: IterCulture Teatri Riflessi Hub