FEDEC is looking for emerging artists for Imaginarius 2026

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Imaginarius Festival partners with FEDEC to offer an exciting opportunity for your students and recent graduates! We are calling on emerging circus artists, students, and recent graduates from FEDEC schools to bring their vision to life on the theme of “The Body”.

Object 

• This call aims to select up to 6 performances to be presented at Imaginarius 2026.
• The performances must be original and have a connection with the theme of this 25th edition: 25 years | The Body.
• The project includes a week residency period, from May 13th to May 20th 2026.

Participants

• The artists should be still students or alumni (recently graduated) of one of FEDEC members.
• They must be available to be in residency and perform on festival dates, 21, 22 and 23 May 2026.
• The performances can be solos, duos, trios or quads.

Presentations and pro

• The selected projects will be presented 2 or 3 times.
• The number of times and time table must be negotiated with Festival program team;
• The selected artists must give a workshop to local community or participate to a cultural mediation activity.
• The selected artists must participate in PRO activities.

Support

• The festival provides:
  • lodging
  • food
  • fee: 600€ per presentation (up to a maximum of 3 presentations). This fee includes the workshop or another mediation activity.
• Participation in the Imaginarius PRO professional space;
• Communication of the artistic project through the festival network [printed materials, online and media].

Presentation space and technical requirements

• The shows will be presented in a Big Top and the festival technical rider must be respected.
• The festival provides basic technical rider:
  • PA STACK
  • MIC SM58
  • 2 VARAS PAR64
  • 4 ROBOTS MOVING WASH
  • 4 BEAMS
  • 4 PAR LED

Selection process

Applications will be evaluated by a committee with members from Imaginarius and FEDEC.

The artistic proposals will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

• Creativity
• Artistic quality
• Originality
• Connection to the theme of the festival
• Stage/Space adaptability & technical needs.

The results of this selection will be published mid-December 2025.

Calendar

• Open call: October 28th to November 17th 2025.
• Selection period: November 18th to December 15th 2025.
• Residency period: May 13 to May 20th 2026.
• Festival: May 21st to May 23rd 2026.

How to apply

👉  Applications are open until 17 November 2025 on the festival’s website!

• Candidates must download the form available on www.imaginarius.pt.
• The form must be filled out and the full application must be submitted by email to program@imaginarius.pt with the title “FEDEC at Imaginarius Application”.
• The email must contain:
  • the filled out application form,
  • a biographical note of the authors up to 500 characters,
  • a project synopsis up to 300 characters,
  • 3 pictures and a video of the show,
  • a technical rider and needs .
• Applications must be submitted in English.
• Applications shall be submitted before November 17th 2025 at 11:30pm (CET).
• All applications will only be deemed effective upon reception of all documents and email confirmation.