FEST FORUM. Community

On 16 September, we will meet in Warsaw at ul. Mińska 65, at The Creative Industries Institute, to take the next important step in the development of FEST FORUM: to formally establish the FEST FORUM Association together and discuss further cooperation within the festival community. This is not only an organisational meeting. We want to create a space for exchanging experience, conversation, networking and joint reflection on how to build lasting support for people working in the festival sector.

The FEST FORUM Association will be a grassroots, membership-based structure bringing together organisers, producers, artists, researchers, educators, managers and other people connected with the festival ecosystem. Festivals, institutions, NGOs and industry partners will be able to support its work as part of a broader cooperation network. We are also developing the year-round FEST FORUM online platform – a place for exchanging knowledge, materials, reports, research and sectoral reflections, as well as for publishing your own content.

Places for the meeting on 16 September are limited, so we encourage early registration. Registration will remain open until the available pool of places is filled. When confirming participation, we will take into account not only the order of applications, but also the aim of ensuring a diverse and inclusive representation of the festival community.

 

>>> Details and registration form <<<

An additional registration round is open from 3 to 10 September 2026.

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1067603425652348/

 

FEST FORUM. Community programme

16 September 2026

The Creative Industries Institute

Mińska street 65, Warsaw

 

PART I: Establishing the FEST FORUM Association

10.00 – 12.00    Establishing the FEST FORUM Association

with the participation of founding members and people interested in joining the Association

PART II: Open meeting of the FEST FORUM community

12.00 – 12.30    Power speech by Robert Piaskowski – Director of the National Centre for Culture

12.30 – 14.30    The Association – vision, activities and cooperation opportunities
Presentation of the Association, its goals and main directions of activity. Three key areas will be discussed: the platform for cooperation and knowledge exchange, study visits and small sectoral meetings, and the conference.

14.30 – 15.00    Break

15.00 – 16.30    FEST FORUM online platform – discussion on development directions
A moderated conversation devoted to the platform’s format, functions and possible development directions. The meeting will also include an invitation to join the platform’s Editorial Committee.

16.30 – 17.00    Break

17.00 – 18.15    EFA / EFFEA – a European perspective on cooperation

A session dedicated to the European Festivals Fund for Emerging Artists (EFFEA), international cooperation opportunities and the experiences of artists participating in the programme.

17.00 – 17.10    How does EFFEA work?
A short introduction to the EFFEA programme will be led by Donika Rudi Berishaj – Project Director (EFFEA).

17.10 – 17.40    EFFEA Sparkle Cases. Speaking about their experiences of participating in EFFEA:
Agata Grenda – Artistic Director of the Gdańsk Shakespeare Festival
Artur Malke – Artistic Director of the All’improvviso Festival Gliwice

17.40 – 18.15 | Networking at tables – cooperation within EFFEA
Moderated conversations in small groups devoted to potential areas of cooperation and opportunities for joint applications to EFFEA.

18.15 – 19.00    Coffee and networking