FEST FORUM Poland 2026
FEST FORUM will take place on 16 September in Warsaw, at the Institute of Creative Industries. The meeting will focus on formally establishing the FEST FORUM Association of Polish festivals and creating a space for networking, exchanging experiences and discussing the future of the festival sector.
This initiative is aimed at festival organisers, cultural institutions, producers, creators, researchers, trainers, managers and other professionals working within the festival ecosystem in Poland. Alongside the Association, the FEST FORUM platform is currently being developed to provide a space, open all year round, dedicated to sharing knowledge, research, reports and resources from the sector.
In partnership with EFA, an EFFEA session will take place, alongside other networking events.
Programme
13.00 – 14:30 | Association – vision, activities and opportunities for cooperation
Presentation of the Association, its objectives and main directions of action. Three key areas of activity will be discussed: a collaborative and knowledge-exchange platform, study visits and intimate industry meetings and a conference. The program also includes the most important formal and organizational issues, information about the possibility of joining the Association and a question and answer session.
14:30–15:00 | Break
15:00–16:30 | Platform – a joint conversation about development directions
A moderated conversation devoted to the formula, functions and possible directions of platform development. Participants will have space to exchange experiences, needs and ideas, and have a common reflection on how the platform can support and respond to the environment.
The meeting will also present an invitation to participate in the Editorial Committee of the platform.
16:30–17:00 | Break
17.00 – 18.15 | EFA / EFFEA – European perspective on cooperation
A block devoted to the EFFEA programme, opportunities for international cooperation and the experiences of artists participating in the programme.
17.00 – 17.10 | How does EFFEA work?
A brief introduction to the EFFEA programme: its principles, opportunities for participation and application guidelines.
- Donika Rudi Berishaj - Project Director of the European Festivals Fund for Emerging Artists - EFFEA
17.10 – 17.40 | EFFEA Sparkle Cases
Two examples of artistic experiences related to participation in EFFEA – the protagonists of the meeting will talk about how participation in the programme has influenced the development of their practice, international cooperation and further professional path.
- Artur Malke - Director of All’improvviso Festival Gliwice, General Manager / CEO of Malke Music. Education & Consulting, Board member of REMA European Early Music Network and Co-Director of SONORA Music
- Agata Grenda - Artistic Director of Gdansk Shakespeare Festival
17.40 – 18.15 | Networking & cooperation tables
Moderated conversations in small groups focusing on potential areas of cooperation and opportunities for joint applications to EFFEA. It will be a space to exchange ideas, experiences and first concepts of future partnerships.
18.15 – 19.00 | Coffee and informal networking
Practical info
Date: 16 September
Venue: Institute of Creative Industries
Ul. Mińska 65
03-828 Warsaw
Poland