BE Festival (Birmingham European Festival), an annual showcase of short-format work is inviting applications for its 2014 edition. Dates haven't been announced, but in previous years the festival has taken place in July.
The festival has an unusual and interesting format: each night audiences see four 30-minute shows, followed by music from Birmingham-based musicians and DJs, and each afternoon there's a Feedback Café where the performances of the previous evening are discussed. The festival is also an influential showcase, attracting the attention of national and international promoters, and hands out a number of prizes to support the development and further life of the work it programmes.
Any European company can apply to show a piece not longer than 30 minutes at the festival (so either short-format work, or longer pieces that have been adapted). Pieces can be finished or works-in-progress. BE are looking to programme work that 'crosses borders (linguistic, cultural, artistic) and which inspires people of all nationalities', and in past years have shown a particular commitment to the physical/visual theatre sector.
There's no fee for participation, but selected companies will be provided with accommodation, meals and transport in Birmingham (not to Birmingham), and will get free access to the festival's programme of workshops and discussions. In addition five main prizes will be awarded by jury at BE 2014:
- One Development Prize: £1500 and a funded residency to develop your work and perform it at BE Festival 2015
- The ACT Festival Prize: a funded performance in Bilbao
- Three UK Touring prizes: a funded, paid tour of 18 venues across the UK in autumn 2014
Deadline for applications is 17 January 2014. For an application form and more information see here.