Teatri Riflessi 2027: 12th International Short Performance Competition

About this call

Now in its 12th edition, the International Short Performance Competition of Teatri Riflessi is a contest for live works no longer than 15 minutes, held in Zafferana Etnea on the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily. Since 2009 the competition has promoted discussion on dramaturgy and contemporary performing languages, connecting the stage to the representation of the territory. At least 10 short performances will be selected. Each selected short performance receives a fee ranging from 500 to 1,100 EUR including VAT, depending on the number of performers on stage, plus a possible contribution towards travel expenses. Prizes come to over 5,000 EUR in total: Best Performance 1,200 EUR gross, Best Dramaturgy 500 EUR gross, Best Direction 500 EUR gross, Best Performer 500 EUR gross, Scholars' and Critics' Award 500 EUR gross, the prize in memory of the former Competition Manager 500 EUR gross, and the Youth Jury award 300 EUR gross. A separate award in memory of Sandra Bressan supports a residency project with a grant of 1,800 EUR gross plus coverage of travel and accommodation up to a specified limit, and panel members and Teatri Riflessi Network partners may award further special prizes in the form of artist residencies and touring opportunities. Semi-finalists perform on the evenings of Thursday 15 and Friday 16 July 2027, and panels of programmers, scholars and critics determine the finalists, who perform again in the final on Sunday 18 July. The panels bring together Italian and international artistic directors, curators, festival and theatre programmers, journalists, critics and performing arts scholars. The 2027 theme is Constellations, framed around interdependency and connection as a daily practice. Alongside the competition the festival runs forums, feedback sessions, industry meetings, internationalisation activities, shared meals and community engagement. The festival is organised by the cultural association IterCulture APS with the Municipality of Zafferana Etnea, supported by the Italian Ministry of Culture and the Sicilian Region.

Who can apply

• International applicants
• Medium: Performance
• Free entry
• Applications are submitted only through the online form; submissions by email, messaging platforms or post are not accepted. The application must include applicant and contact person details, title, synopsis, directorial notes, script or other documentation of the work, a technical rider, a full video recording of the performance, high-resolution promotional photographs and any further information requested in the form. Trailers, teasers, excerpts or partial recordings are not accepted in place of the full recording; a full rehearsal or work-in-progress run-through is acceptable if the complete work is visible. Maximum stage time is 20 minutes including setup and dismantling. Both unperformed works and pieces previously presented to the public are eligible, and works may be in any language. Applying is free of charge; only selected companies pay a €50 confirmation deposit per company, which is fully refunded together with the performance fee, travel contributions and any prize money.