1. MAIN OVERALL OBJECTIVES

The competition open call marks ȘI Festival’s expansion towards international participation, inviting emerging theatre-makers and filmmakers from Romania and across the world to present their work in a context designed to support visibility, professional dialogue and meaningful engagement with the local community of 2 Mai. The initiative aims to support the development and recognition of new generations of artists while fostering the growth of cross-border cultural networks and strengthening an active artistic community through the exchange of artistic practices and direct encounters with audiences.

2. ELIGIBILITY

2.1. Eligible Productions

Applications are open to:

• theatre performances (including dance theatre and puppet theatre)

• fiction short films

created either in Romania or internationally.

2.2. Specific Requirements  – theatre

To be eligible, theatre productions must meet all of the following criteria:

• they must have premiered within the last three years (2024–2026)

• they must have been developed within an academic context (BA or MA graduation projects) or within the independent cultural sector

• at least 50% of the creative team must consist of emerging artists, defined as final-year students and/or professionals with no more than five years of professional experience

NB! Please note that productions initiated and produced by state theatres or other public cultural institutions are not eligible. However, productions originally developed within independent or academic contexts and subsequently taken into the repertoire of cultural institutions remain eligible.

2.3. Specific Requirements – film

To be eligible, short films must meet all of the following criteria:

• they must have premiered within the last three years (2024–2026)

• they must be directed by filmmakers who have not yet completed a feature-length film

3. APPLICATION PROCESS

3.1. Online Submission

Applications must be submitted exclusively by completing the online forms (Google Forms) available at the links below:

• theatre
• film

3.2. Deadline

15 May 2026, 11:59 PM (GMT+2)

NB! Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered.

4. SELECTION

All submissions will be assessed by a selection committee composed of members of the ȘI Festival leadership team.

Applicants will be notified of the results by email at the end of May, followed by an official public announcement on the festival’s social media channels.

The selection will include:

• at least 10 theatre performances 

• at least 10 short films

NB! The organisers reserve the right to use photographs, posters and descriptive materials submitted through the application process in the festival’s official communications, in the event that a production is selected.

5. PARTICIPATION

5.1. Programme

Selected productions will be presented in 2 Mai between the 18th and the 25th of July 2026, according to a schedule agreed upon with participants at the end of May.

5.2. Presentation of theatre performances

All competition performances will be staged indoors in one of the two venues provided by the organisers:

• the Sports Hall in 2 Mai

• the Cultural Centre in 2 Mai

Technical riders for both venues are available here:
https://sifestival.ro/technical-riders/

Depending on the artistic proposal, the organisers may also consider the use of other indoor spaces within the village. Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide as much detail as possible regarding the technical requirements of their performance, in order to enable an accurate assessment of presentation conditions. This information will also help the organisers evaluate the possibility of offering logistical support for transporting set elements and certain technical equipment, subject to available budget. Transport may be arranged on the Bucharest – 2 Mai route, while for productions travelling from other cities or from abroad the organisers will endeavour to identify suitable solutions together with the creative teams.

5.3. Screening of short films

• one indoor screening in the Sports Hall, attended by the jury and followed by a Q&A session with representatives of the film
• one additional screening at the open-air cinema located in the courtyard of the 2 Mai Leisure Centre

5.4. Accommodation

Accommodation will be provided for the entire festival period between the 18th and the 25th of July 2026, as follows:

For theatre productions:

• full cast

• between one and three members of the creative team (such as the director, choreographer or set designer), depending on available budget

NB! Subject to budget availability, accommodation may also be provided for one or two nights for indispensable technical team members. Professional technical crews will be provided by the festival for each performance venue.

For films:

• accommodation for two representatives of the film team

5.5. Fees

Participation in the festival is not fee-based, and no performance or screening fees will be paid. All festival events are free of charge in order to support cultural accessibility for the local community.

6. ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Selected artists will be invited to take part in:

• public talks and round-table discussions
• filmed and written interviews
• professional networking activities
• internal festival events

Where possible, the festival will also facilitate special offers or discounts from local hospitality partners in 2 Mai.

7. JURY

All selected productions will form part of the competition section and will be evaluated by a jury composed of three theatre and film professionals from Romania.

8. AWARDS

Winners will be announced during the Awards Gala on the 25th of July 2026.

The festival will grant:

• two collective awards (one for theatre and one for film)

• six individual awards

Awards may include:

• trophies

• certificates

• cash prizes

The organisers and festival partners may also grant special awards.

By submitting an application, participants confirm that they have read and fully accepted these Participation Guidelines.

ȘI Festival is organized by the Șerban Ionescu Cultural Association in co-production with the Constanța State Theatre and co-funded by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund. The project does not necessarily represent the official position of the Administration of the National Cultural Fund. AFCN shall not be held liable for the project’s content or any use to which the project outcome might be put. These are the sole responsibility of the beneficiary of the funding.