Call for UK Puppetry Artists: Apply to Perform at the 31st International Festival of Puppetry Art in Poland
Deadline: 30 August 2025 - Renowned Banialuka Puppet Theatre invites international companies to apply for its 2026 festival in Bielsko-Biała
British UNIMA is pleased to share an exciting international opportunity from our colleagues at Jerzy Zitzman Banialuka Puppet Theatre in Poland. The call for entries is now open for the 31st edition of the International Festival of Puppetry Art, one of the most prestigious puppetry events in Europe, taking place from 15–20 May 2026 in Bielsko-Biała.
We warmly encourage UK-based artists, companies, and theatre schools working in puppet theatre, object theatre, visual theatre, or dance theatre to consider submitting work for this competitive and highly regarded international event.
About the Festival
Held biennially since 1966, the International Festival of Puppetry Art has grown into an influential platform for form-based performance, attracting artists from across Europe and beyond. Hosted in the picturesque city of Bielsko-Biała, the festival presents outstanding performances for both children and adults, selected by an international jury.
This upcoming 2026 edition will again take the form of a competition, featuring awards including the Grand Prix, best performance for children, and special prizes recognising artistic excellence.
From experimental object work to bold visual storytelling, the festival celebrates puppetry as a vibrant contemporary art form, while remaining rooted in its rich European traditions.
The Idea of the Festival
The festival defines puppetry not as a static tradition, but as a living, evolving art. It highlights the puppet as a subject, not an object, and showcases performances that blur boundaries between movement, matter, and meaning.
“The reality of the Festival is stretched between two opposites: the faithfulness to tradition and the innovative trends, confronted with the living shape of modern puppetry, along with its magic, its marvel, its mystery.”
— Maria Schejbal
The festival’s programme reflects a commitment to artistic experimentation, global cultural dialogue, and new forms of communication through theatre — connecting artists and audiences across generations and borders.
Submission Guidelines for UK Artists
Deadline: 30 August 2025
Festival dates: 15–20 May 2026
Location: Bielsko-Biała, Poland
Who can apply?
Professional ensembles (institutional or independent)
Theatre schools
Artists presenting work for children or adults
Companies offering stage or outdoor performances
Requirements:
Work not yet presented in Poland is preferred
A maximum of two performances may be submitted per company
Each application must include:
A completed application form (one per show)
A full-length video recording of the performance
Information about the performance and the company
A technical rider
Your financial expectations (travel and performance fees)
📧 Applications should be sent to: info@puppetryartfestival.com
Why You Should Apply
The International Festival of Puppetry Art is not only a showcase of exceptional global talent, but also a meeting place for ideas, exchange, and inspiration. It offers:
International visibility for your work
Connection with an established community of European programmers and practitioners
Opportunities to present bold, imaginative theatre in a prestigious and artistically ambitious setting
A legacy of innovation and celebration of puppetry in all its forms
For full details and the application form, visit:
🌐 www.puppetryartfestival.com (or insert direct link to application page when available)
📩 Contact: info@puppetryartfestival.com
British UNIMA is proud to support and promote opportunities like these for our members. We look forward to seeing UK artists take part in this rich international gathering of puppetry excellence.