Sul Filo del Circo 2026: Open call for FEDEC students

To support the professional integration of emerging artists graduating from circus schools, FEDEC and Cirko Vertigo are looking for 8 FEDEC schools to present an act twice during Sul Filo Del Circo 2026.

📅 Deadline of the call: 19 of April 2026.

Objective of the call

This call aims to select 8 FEDEC schools to present an act twice at Sul Filo del Circo 2026.

Requirements

Participants

Applications are open to:

• Students currently enrolled in their final year of study,
• Or young artists who graduated during the 2023–2024 or 2024–2025 academic years.

Each application may include one school representative from the applicant's FEDEC member institution, who will be invited to the event to foster institutional exchange and networking opportunities.

Performances

• Duration: approximately 6–8 minutes,
• Format: solo artist or duo.

Performances schedule

The 8 schools selected by FEDEC together with Cirko Vertigo, will perform over the course of 2 weekends in a cabaret format, with 4 schools scheduled each weekend.

On both weekends, an additional slot will be reserved for Cirko Vertigo, which will present its act alongside the other selected schools. This will help reach the total of 9 schools planned for the project. The Cirko Vertigo artists will be selected using the same criteria applied to the other FEDEC schools.

All 9 schools will perform their acts twice during their assigned weekend (once per day)

Dates, venues and technical specifications

Selected acts will perform twice, across one of the following weekends:

• [ Weekend 1 ] 27–28 June 2026 | Cirque Lili - Non-rigging acts only
• [ Weekend 2] 4–5 July 2026 | Cirko Vertigo - All technical setups are possible, aerial included

Indicative programme (per weekend)

• Thursday | Arrival of participants
• Friday | Welcoming session and technical rehearsals
• Saturday | Rehearsals — Networking meeting with invited professionals — Public performance (1/2)
• Sunday | Networking lunch with artists, schools and organisers — Public performance (2/2)
• Monday | Departures

Support for selected participants

The organisation will provide:

• Accommodation and meals during the event,
• 400€ contribution per selected project,
• Networking moments.

Selection

Applications will be evaluated by a committee composed of representatives from Cirko Vertigo and FEDEC:

• Paolo Stratta (General Director, Cirko Vertigo)
• Silvia Francioni (Pedagogical Director, Cirko Vertigo)
• Fabio Merante (Pedagogical Coordinator, Cirko Vertigo / FEDEC Board Member)
• Alba Porto (Production)
• FEDEC representatives

Selection criteria

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

• Artistic quality,
• Creativity and originality,
• Adaptability to the performance space and technical requirements.

Timeline

• 20 March 2026 | Opening of the call
• 19 April 2026 | Application deadline
• 20 – 24 April 2026 | Selection committee
• End of April 2026 | Results announcement

How to apply

Candidates must apply by filling in the form below👇 before 19 April 2026, providing:

• A link to the video of the act,
• The technical requirements,
• Their contact details,
• Their circus school (must be member of FEDEC).