Financial aid: Available

Date: 23 - 29 September 2012

Deadline: Registration Closed

Open to: All Interested

International Association for Creation and Training "I-ACT"

First Backstreet Festival

“Towards Art in non Traditional Spaces”

Alexandria, Egypt, 23-29 September 2012

What is the Backstreet Festival?

After the bang, unparalleled energy bursts everywhere. Thus, as society and politics take major turns in Egypt, creative energy holds centre stage, and many are just longing to set their artistic talents free. Therefore, if you think that you have it in you, now is the time for you to take part. The International Association for Creation and Training (I-act) is launching the 1^st edition of the Backstreet Festival under the motto “Towards Art in non-traditional spaces”, because at times like these, we believe that Art is a major tool for social change. The festival aims to create a platform of innovation, exchange opportunities, and most important an atmosphere of creation for people from the Euro-Mediterranean region, highlighting the value of Freedom of Creativity. The festival is an international multi-venued event that will take place in Alexandria from 23-29 September 2012 in Alexandria, Egypt.

Objectives of the Backstreet Festival:

• Employing Arts as a tool for freedom of expression and social change;
• Enriching the Cultural Life of Alexandria through providing a platform for performing Arts in non-traditional spaces;
• Reaching out for young people from Egypt and the Arab Region in order to optimize on their potential and build their capacities in the field of Arts and Culture; &
• Enhancing dialogue, networking and multi-cultural cooperation between people from different countries with a specific focus on the Arab Middle East region, in addition to provoking debate and discussion on issues related to the status of street arts.

Who is eligible to apply and what kind of performances are we looking for?

The call is open for theatre troupes from the Euro-Mediterranean region and in its first edition, the festival is targeting the following types of performances: Musical and Improvisational theatre, Street performances (slapstick, living/human statutes, etc), Installations, Multimedia performances, Puppet theatre, Comedy, Clowning, Pantomime; all types of performances related to street art are welcome to apply. However, there is no focus this year on purely dramatic and/or classical plays as well as contemporary dance.

How to Apply?

1. Soft Copy of the application form and the related documents:

In order to apply, please fill in the attached application form and make sure to include within a link of an online video to your performance (minimum 15 and maximum 25 minutes). In addition to your application, please enclose the following obligatory appendixes: 1. Three photos of high resolution; 2. Synopsis of your performance (maximum 60 words in English); & 3. Short biography (maximum 60 words in English). Without these appendixes the application will be deemed ineligible.  This material will be used in the promotional or publicity material of the festival in case the performance is accepted.

2.DVD of your performance:

In addition to your application form, please send a CD/ DVD of your performance (each troupe must submit only ONE performance). In case of acceptance, the DVD version of your show will be considered as the final one to be presented, unless stated and agreed otherwise with the Festival Organizers. Along with the DVD, you can attach any promotional material (leaflets, brochures, etc). The same deadline applies 1 June 2012.

Deadlines:

Deadline for submission: The deadline of receiving the electronic version of the application along with the above mentioned required information via email as well as the DVD is 30 June 2012 at 12:00 midnight (no applications will be accepted after this deadline). Applications and required material are to be sent in soft copies to Amina Abodoma (Festival Coordinator): This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

DVDs and the related material should be sent in hard copies to the following address:

2 Albert El Awal Street, University Compound, Building # 2, apartment 22, Smouha, Alexandria, Egypt.

In order to avoid the risk of delay or loss, the material must be shipped via special courier (DHL, Aramex, FedEX, but not via normal post). A Jury committee will be responsible for the selection process and only the selected performances will be notified by 15 June 2012.

Important notes:

1. Any applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

2. Handwritten application forms will be automatically rejected.

3. The material sent via courier is not returnable even if the performance is not selected.

When and Where?

The Festival will take place from 23-29 September 2012 in Alexandria in different venues. The performances will be taking place in cooperation with several cultural institutes in Alexandria, and therefore in different theatres or open spaces depending on the nature of the performance (such as: squares, dead-end streets, gardens, rooftops, etc).

Language:

The official working languages of the Festival are English and Arabic. One of those languages should be spoken fluently; otherwise at least one person of the troupe should be able to communicate in English.

Attachments:

* Call for Performances Backstreet Festival 2012

* Application Form Performances 2012

Contact Information:

Ms. Amina Abodoma

Coordinator - Backstreet Festival

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website: Backstreet Festival