Open Call: Bridging The Scenes Delegation Trip to the ACT Festival in Sofia

Sofia meets Berlin! In the framework of "Bridging The Scenes" and with the aim to further connect the independent scenes in Sofia and Berlin, we offer 8 Berlin actors of the independent performing arts the opportunity to visit the Bulgarian ACT Independent Theater Festival in Sofia. During the festival the participants will discover the aesthetics and working methods of the other country and take part in events for a professional audience. Local performing arts experts show the group around the city and connect them with colleagues and the local scene.

The ACT Festival is organized by the ACT Association, founded in 2009 with more than 45 members, whose main goals are to connect the independent performing arts scene in Bulgaria and to create better conditions for the professional work of independent artists and initiatives. ACT Festival is an annual forum for autonomous artists and organizations; an exchange platform for new artistic practices and Bulgarian and international professionals in the field of theater, dance and performance.

Bridging the Scenes is a network consisting of ACT Festival (Sofia, Bulgaria), Malá Inventura (Prague, Czech Republic), Selected Works (Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark) and Performing Arts Festival Berlin. The focus is on building a sustainable connection between the independent performing arts scenes in the four European capitals. All participating festivals and organizations strengthen the visibility of their local scene and actively draw attention to the cultural-political dimension of independent work. Mutual visits of artists and cultural managers from all cities promote cohesion and professional discussion of current aesthetics, social and artistic discourses and cultural policy. With regular meetings of the festival directors, continuous working discussions about common concerns and various exchange programs for actors of the scenes, individual skills are supported and at the same time the exchange of knowledge between the respective structures is strengthened.

The program includes

The participants will travel to the ACT Festival in Sofias between October 20 and 26, 2023, get to know the scene and its actors and take part in the festival, the program for professional visitors and other events as agreed upon. Travel and accommodation costs will be covered. A detailed program plan for the trip will be announced after registration and selection of participants.

Application

All Berlin curators, program directors, producers and artists with production responsibility who have a sustained interest in the local scene in Sofia and Bulgaria are welcome to apply!

For the application we ask to send a CV (English) as a pdf-file (without photo, max. 1 page DIN A4) as well as a motivation statement, which shows a concrete interest in the exchange with the scene in Sofia and Bulgaria. The motivation statement can be sent in English as text, video or audio! Please pay attention to the following length and format requirements for the motivation statement:

    Text: max. 5000 characters (with spaces), as pdf-file.
    Audio: 1 to 3 minutes long, as mp3 or wav.
    Video: 1 to 3 minutes long, as mp4 (Please refrain from showing your face).

IMPORTANT: If you choose the option audio or video, it is absolutely necessary to follow the desired formats (mp3, wav, mp4). Unfortunately, files in any other format cannot be considered. Sending a portfolio of selected works is optional.The representation of social diversity in our structures is our goal. We therefore explicitly invite representatives of marginalized perspectives to apply.

Please send your application by September 24, 2023 by email with the subject „ACT Festival - Apllication“ to: belen.marinato [at] pap-berlin.de
Consultation hour für Q&A: September 11, 2023, 10:00 am to 11:00 am, online (Register to: belen.marinato [at] pap-berlin.de