Programmes
Proposed Programmes For Ifts 2027
The prioritised programmes envisioned as part of IFTS 2027 are outlined below. These programmes are designed to advance the vision of the festival at both thematic and practical levels, creating opportunities to explore its central concerns from diverse perspectives and in greater depth. Collectively, the programmes are intended to contribute to a comprehensive and meaningful realisation of the festival’s vision.
Alongside the core festival programmes, initiatives such as Cultural Tours and the Social Extension Programme – IFTS Fellowship are intended to extend the festival beyond its primary venues and engage more closely with wider communities and society.
As part of IFTS 2027, a new initiative, the IFTS Senior Fellowship (Teachers’ Exchange), is proposed. The IFTS Senior Fellowship is designed to pave the way for exceptional students, scholars, academicians, and professionals from India and around the world to pursue opportunities in studying, researching, and teaching both domestically in India and globally. This award will help one Indian national pursue an academic program abroad and one foreign national engage in academic programs in India. Candidates will be selected through a meticulous application and interview process, with the award covering academic fees and stay, including food, for a period of one year.
The designated area for the current moment is available for the purpose of exchanging, deliberating, and conversing about crucial and ground breaking ideas. Esteemed scholars and professionals are cordially invited to participate in this effort.
We offer a platform that facilitates presentations on topics related to the festival's theme, catering to students, scholars, academicians, and practitioners alike. The panel discussions will be led by groups of theatre pedagogues invited from across the globe, recognizing their expertise and contributions to relevant fields.
This initiative aims to promote collaborative learning and exchange of ideas among the esteemed faculty members of the participant theatre schools, regarding their theatre education and the development of strategies to cope with the pertinent social and environmental concerns. Apart from the faculty of the hosting institution and institutions that collaborated with the festival, we are envisaging 20 faculties from the 10 participating theatre schools, 2 from each school for the event. .
The primary aim of the meeting is to create a safe and supportive space where students can openly engage in meaningful discussions, exchange valuable insights, and anticipations and provide mutual encouragement. We expect about 200 students for Students Meet, 100 students from the participating theatre school 10 students from each school and another 100 students from the host institution and collaborating institutes.
We provide a dedicated platform for students to present their ideas, research, and creative perspectives related to the festival’s theme. This segment encourages emerging theatre practitioners to engage in critical dialogue, share innovative approaches, and interact with peers and mentors in a supportive academic environment.
The proposed itinerary is intended for a comprehensive exploration of the rich culture and diverse ecology of the region. This carefully curated tour programme encompasses visits to fishing villages, plantations, and rural farming communities and opportunities to learn about the challenges facing indigenous cultures and traditions. This tour is particularly meant for those intending to enter art journalism, performance-making, and cultural studies. At the final phase of the tour, the participants may create a performance as post tour process.
The IFTS workshops provide an opportunity for students from participating theatre schools and young invited theatre practitioners to receive training from esteemed theatre makers, technicians, and designers of international renown.
The showcasing of short productions by students of various theatre schools offers a unique platform to highlight their talents and observe the training of emerging artists from diverse regions across the globe. Alternatively, An institution may choose to present a Demonstration, or an Open Class, or an Academic Project Presentation.
Each institution may nominate one student to present their talent as an individual, as a performer, filmmaker, painter, writer, or in other creative disciplines.
It was deemed imperative to provide ample opportunity for show casing the traditional and folk arts of the region. This would enable us to effectively convey the depth and diversity of our cultural heritage to the esteemed participants and visitors hailing from different parts of the world.
This is the IFTS fellowship program; the selected fellow will receive an award of 10,000 rupees per month for one year. The program's aim is to establish fruitful relationships between IFTS and communities.
The Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Theatre Education is a token of appreciation and respect for the relentless efforts of educators who have shaped theatre as a transformative art form. This initiative is a step toward fostering an environment that values creativity, dedication, and the power of education in driving social and cultural change for a better world.
New Programme
IFTS Senior Fellowship(Teachers Exchange)
The fellowship program provides a unique opportunity for faculty members from any University/autonomous theatre institution in India and around the world to engage in an enriching academic exchange with foreign universities. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between pedagogical methods employed in India and the innovative teaching strategies practiced globally. By fostering collaborations, the program aspires to cultivate a culture of shared knowledge and collective growth among academic institutions worldwide.