Become a host of FEST FORUM

22 April 2026

There are probably as many reasons for the creation of FEST FORUM as there are events on the festival map of Poland. Since the inauguration of our initiative, we have prioritised nurturing a diversity of perspectives and strengthening cross-sector and cross-city partnerships from the bottom up.

Regardless of the scale and subject matter of the events organised, we want to learn about local perspectives and make our voice heard in different parts of the country, including outside the major urban centres.

FEST FORUM is a real investment in the local cultural ecosystem. For your institution, city and region, organising FEST FORUM means:

Strengthening the local perspective in the national industry dialogue,
access to up-to-date know-how and organisational best practice,
developing the competences of cultural staff,
networking and relationship building,
a real impact on the development of the festival industry in Poland.

How to host a FEST FORUM?

We don’t impose a rigid format for organising a FEST FORUM – we’re open to alternative organisational models, creative solutions and local specificities. We want to share our experience in this process, while learning from each other.

We’re committed to providing an environment that respects the comfort of participants, speakers and experts at the event, including the issues of fees and hospitality. We allow for diverse forms of implementation: barter cooperation, provision of free accommodation, use of local institutional resources, or crowdfunding.

How to apply?

Please feel free to email us at:festforum@kbf.krakow.pl. You can choose any form and length of your application. We’re looking forward to hearing a candid story about the motivation, possibilities and ideas for a FEST FORUM edition in your locality. Please indicate the year (or years) in which you would like to host the initiative at your place.

Frequently asked questions

How complicated is the organisation of a FEST FORUM?

→ The scale and form of future editions of the FEST FORUM is open and flexible. You want to organise an event for 50, 70 or 200 people? You’re thinking of a short, one-day format, or perhaps a two-day edition with online elements? Any format of the FEST FORUM is possible, depending on local resources and the objectives set.

In 2025, the initiative was organised by one institution (KBF), but the number of organisers in a given locality is arbitrary. Cooperation in this area will allow tasks and resources to be shared.

What matters to us isn’t the scale, but the quality of the conversation, the accessibility and longevity of the relationships, that the event builds in the local environment.

What budget is needed to organise a FEST FORUM?

→ Depending on the scale, the idea and the nature of the project you’re planning, the budget needed is between PLN 10,000 and PLN 100,000. Sources of funding for FEST FORUM are free to choose from: grants, own funds, barter partnerships or crowdfunding.

What are the tasks involved in organising a FEST FORUM?

→ Taking on the role of host of the FEST FORUM means entering into the role of a project partner who, working within a nationwide framework and in cooperation with the Programme Council, co-creates the local edition of the event. In practice, this means jointly preparing the event – from providing the venue and technical facilities, through organisational and communication support, to cooperation on the programme and selection of speakers. It’s crucial to maintain the values on which FEST FORUM is based: community, collaboration, substantive quality and inclusivity.

We don’t expect the host to have all the resources or ready-made solutions. KBF actively supports the whole process: it shares experience, organisational and promotional standards and contributes to communication and PR activities. At FEST FORUM we act together!

Do I have sufficient competence and staff resources to organise a FEST FORUM?

→ Our project was conceived for the community of festival co-facilitators as a space for experience sharing and collaboration. If you and your organisation decide to host a FEST FORUM at your venue, we will work out together a formula that is appropriate to your capacities. Above all, we care about the substantive level of the event and the conditions that give us the comfort to work together.

We don’t impose any organisational model on the FEST FORUM. Although this is an undertaking that requires a dedicated team to be set up on the host side, we will scale the event to make it suit your resources.