SITFY Launches the Participation Form for the Eighth Edition

Sharm El-Sheikh International Theater Festival for Youth (SITFY), chaired by artist and director Mazen El-Gharabawy, will launch the participation form for the eighth edition as of today. The management board of SITFY receives the applications of all theatrical groups worldwide through the official digital platform. 

Furthermore, SITFY -headed by artist Mazen El-Gharabawy- set out the main terms and conditions for the eighth edition, including: the management board bears the accommodation  costs for ten participants in the Ensemble Production Competition, seven participants in the Street Theater and Non-traditional Spaces Competition, and three participants in the Monodrama Competition. Additionally, the festival will bear the inland transportation costs in Sharm El-Sheikh. The participating countries will bear the travel costs and decoration shipping from and into Sharm El-Sheikh.

Each group shall present a file which includes the background of shows, along with a media file. Additionally, each group should submit the scripts in a separate word file, as well as a complete technical file which highlights the theater dimensions and the space required, highlighting the duration of installing and dismantling of the equipment. 

Moreover, the show should not exceed an hour and a half (the Ensemble Production Competition). The duration should not exceed an hour in both competitions; it is the maximum duration. Each show should be presented in the space specified by the management board of the festival. Besides, each show will be presented only once; in the morning or evening, based on the coordination and organization of the management board.

The shows that are based on the non-traditional spaces and creative solutions are considered the top priority. Shows should be suitable for the intellectual and cultural qualities of youth from all over the world. Shows which are directed and written by young people who do not exceed 40 years are the top priority. Egypt will take part in the Ensemble Production Competition. Since Egypt is the host country, it has the right to participate in a number of theatrical shows as part of the festival, with a maximum of 3 shows, provided that the participants should not exceed 10. 

Additionally, it is preferable that young people would be participating in shows in order to establish credibility in accordance with the policy of the festival. The management board of the festival has the right to record all theatrical shows, and symposiums in audio and video and using them in all needs. It is also necessary to provide English translation for shows, which should be submitted no later than October 1, 2023. The groups who wish to participate in the competitions should fill in this application and submit the links of the recorded plays. Theatrical shows won’t be accepted unless they are viewed by the management board of the festival in order to make sure they are suitable for the Watching Committee and be able to take part in the competitions. 

The management board has the right to decline any application that doesn’t fit with the nature of the festival without stating reasons. The groups that participated in the past editions are allowed to take part in the upcoming edition through new plays. If a group won’t be able to participate, it should submit an official letter (50) days before the kick-off of the festival. If a group wants to change the show or doesn’t accept the suggested space, it will be fined and the show will be cancelled. Additionally, it won’t be allowed to take part in the upcoming editions, according to the policy of the festival. 

The management board will reach out to the shortlisted groups in September, 15, 2023. These groups will be notified with the deadline for submitting the flight tickets. The management board is not responsible for the transportation of groups or decoration shipping from Cairo to Sharm El-Sheikh. The shortlisted groups should submit the flight tickets no later than October 25, 2023 to avoid the cancellation of shows. 

The shortlisted groups should adhere to the participants’ lists which are submitted to the festival. It is not allowed to change the participants later on. In the case of changing the departure dates, the management board should be notified 72 hours before the departure dates. 

The previous edition of SITFY bore the name of the iconic artist Nabil Al-Alfi. Veteran actress Samiha Ayoub is the honorary president of the festival and Dr. Engy El-Bestawy is the managing director. SITFY is held under the auspices of the Minister of Culture, Dr. Nevine Al-Kilani and South Sinai Governor, Major-General Khaled Fouda.

 You can fill out the application from the below link