How to Bring Your Show to the festival Off Avignon

Have you ever wondered how you can bring your show to the festival Off Avignon? In an information-packed webinar session co-hosted by the Edinburgh Fringe, the team behind the festival Off Avignon —one of the most significant open-access theater festivals in the world—shared insights on how artists can participate and make the most of this unique opportunity.

Led by Harold David and Laurent Domingos, the festival’s co-chairmen, along with Julie Charazar, the session provided a deep dive into what makes Avignon Off a vital platform for performers, the logistics of participation, and the benefits that artists can expect.

Avignon Off, much like the Edinburgh Fringe, operates as an open-access festival, meaning that any artist or company willing to invest in their participation can bring their show to its stages. However, understanding the festival’s structure, securing a venue, and planning an effective promotional strategy are crucial to making the most of this opportunity.

A Festival Steeped in History and Artistic Excellence

Every year, Avignon transforms into a thriving hub of creativity, attracting thousands of artists, industry professionals, and audiences from across the world. In 2024, the festival hosted over 1,380 theater companies performing 1,600 shows across 141 venues, each offering different capacities and atmospheres. Unlike the Edinburgh Fringe, where pop-up venues in parks are common, Avignon’s venues are predominantly indoor spaces, set within the town’s historic medieval walls.

The scale of the festival is impressive, with nearly 300,000 spectators attending annually, generating over 1.4 million ticket sales. The festival is not just a cultural event; it also has a significant economic impact, contributing €40 million to the region.

Despite its reputation as a theater-heavy festival, with 51% of shows falling under that category, Avignon Off welcomes all forms of performing arts, including music, dance, circus, and puppetry. Approximately 400 shows each year are accessible to non-French-speaking audiences, making it a viable option for international artists looking to expand into the European market.

Why Should Artists Consider Avignon Off?

For many performers, Avignon Off represents a gateway to professional opportunities. Industry buyers, producers, and venue programmers from France and beyond attend the festival each year in search of new talent. While the festival is open to all, standing out among the 1,600 productions requires strategic planning and a strong promotional effort.

Networking is a core component of the festival experience. At the Festival Village, located in the heart of Avignon, artists can participate in roundtables, workshops, and industry events. This space also transforms into a social hub at night, offering opportunities for performers to connect with programmers and fellow artists in a more relaxed setting.

Beyond networking, the festival’s Performing Arts Market (OFF-PAM) serves as a matchmaking platform between artists and potential buyers. Through curated industry meetings, pitch sessions, and professional gatherings, the market creates an environment where artists can build lasting professional relationships.

How to Get Involved

The first and most important step for any artist looking to perform at Avignon Off is securing a venue. Unlike curated festivals where selections are made by an organizing committee, Avignon Off operates on a venue-rental model. Each performer must independently find and negotiate with a venue, ensuring that their show fits within the space and schedule. The festival offers an online platform where artists can browse available venues and connect with venue managers.

Once a venue has been secured, artists must register their production to be included in the festival’s official program, a crucial step for visibility. This process, which opens in March, ensures that performances are listed in festival communications, making them accessible to both audiences and industry professionals.

Financial planning is essential. Participation involves covering the cost of venue rental, travel, accommodation, and promotional materials. While the investment can be significant, the potential for increased bookings, extended touring, and industry recognition makes it worthwhile for many artists.

Standing Out in Avignon: Promotion and Engagement

Attracting audiences in a festival of this size requires more than just being listed in the program. Artists are expected to actively promote their shows by engaging with audiences on the streets of Avignon. Flyering and short teaser performances, known as “parades,” are common tactics used to generate interest.

Artists should also consider targeting industry professionals by inviting them to performances. The festival provides a professional accreditation system, giving accredited buyers and journalists direct access to shows. Artists can track ticket sales and industry interest through their festival accounts, allowing them to adjust their marketing strategies as needed.

A Pathway to International Success

For international artists, Avignon Off offers a valuable opportunity to introduce their work to the French and European markets. The festival has actively expanded its global reach, fostering connections with festivals and theater programmers from around the world.

Each year, the festival designates a Guest of Honor country, highlighting productions from a specific region. In 2024, Taiwan held this title, and in 2025, Brazil is expected to be featured. This initiative increases exposure for artists from the selected country, providing them with special promotional support and industry connections.

While the festival welcomes all types of productions, non-French-speaking artists should consider whether their show can overcome language barriers. Physical theater, dance, and multilingual performances often have the greatest success in reaching broad audiences.

Timing and Industry Presence

A common question among potential participants is when industry professionals are most likely to attend. While some believe that programmers tend to visit in the second and third weeks, the reality is that buyers are present throughout the festival.

However, arriving early offers a strategic advantage. Shows that start strong have time to generate word-of-mouth buzz and attract larger audiences in the later weeks. Companies that join late may struggle to build momentum, as industry professionals often prioritize shows with positive reviews and audience engagement.

Additional Opportunities

Beyond performing, Avignon Off provides space for workshops, industry talks, and professional development sessions. While the primary focus remains on staged productions, some venues offer daytime slots for workshops aimed at artists, producers, and industry professionals.

The festival also supports student and emerging artist programs, offering young professionals the chance to experience the festival environment before launching their own productions.

It’s Not Too Late for 2025

As the session concluded, the Avignon Off team encouraged artists to start planning now. While many venues have already begun filling their schedules, opportunities remain available. The festival’s online venue tool allows artists to search for and secure a space, even in the weeks leading up to the festival.

For those considering Avignon Off as a launching pad for their careers, the message was clear: it is an investment worth making. With strategic planning, an engaging performance, and active promotion, artists can leverage Avignon Off to expand their audience, connect with industry professionals, and open doors to international touring.

As Harold David emphasized in his closing remarks, “The festival is waiting for you.” Now is the time for performers to take the leap and bring their artistry to one of the world’s most dynamic performing arts festivals.

For more information visit the festival website or email their team at [email protected]

Main image source: festival Off Avignon website Photo; Shanon Schmeltz-Chazelon