Beirut Choreography Encounters 2026

OPEN CALL For Arab Dance Platform

Open Call for Lebanese and Arab artists (BCE):

I- Subject of the call:

Beirut Choreography Encounters (BCE), a two-week festival by Beirut Physical Lab, will take place in October 2026, showcasing Lebanese and Arab voices in contemporary dance through performances, workshops, and discussions.

This open call invites Lebanese and Arab artists to present their work, perform in front of an audience, and engage in a dynamic environment of exchange and networking, building meaningful relationships with the Lebanese contemporary dance and physical theater starting from October 14 to October 18.

II. Eligibility Criteria

Open to Lebanese and Arab artists (based in the region or abroad)
Emerging and established choreographers and performers
Projects can be: performances, works-in-progress, or site-specific works
Open to multidisciplinary and hybrid formats
Work should be related to contemporary dance, physical theatre, and body-based practices

III. Application

Applications are submitted through this From: https://forms.gle/UbrXKujizCWvHZd19:

Artistic description of the project
Video link (full work or excerpt)
Short bio of the artist(s)
Technical and administrative information
Duration:
- 10–15 minutes (work-in-progress)
- performances

Deadline: June 15, 2026
Notification: July 15, 2026

IV- Festival Program:

· Performances: A blend of local and international performances showcasing diverse styles and perspectives.

· Masterclasses/workshops: Led by established artists to enhance skill development among participants.

· Traditional Dance Workshops: Highlighting local dance forms and cultural heritage.

· Round Tables & Conferences: Discussions featuring curators and professionals from different regions with a focus on local-regional artists, opportunities, and challenges in the contemporary dance scene.

· Curator Engagement: Bringing together curators from various countries to focus on Arab artists, with a special segment dedicated to emerging artists.

· Training & Mentorship: A program designed to offer residency, training, and artistic support for five companies from different countries, focusing on emerging Arab artists.

V. What the Festival Provides

Performance space (theatre, public space, or site-specific locations)
Technical support depending on the venue
Accommodation in Beirut during the festival
Access to workshops and all festival activities
Visibility within the local and regional dance scene

Additionally:

4 selected artists/projects will receive performance fees,
Mentorship support for 2 selected works-in-progress
Travel support for 2 selected Arab artists may be covered

VI. Schedule & Locations

Selected projects will be presented between October 14–18, 2026, in various cultural spaces, theatres, and public locations across Beirut.
The schedule and location will be defined based on each project’s needs and format.

OPEN CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS
Beirut Choreography Encounters (BCE) 2026

I- Subject of the Call

This open call invites international artists to present their work, perform in front of an audience, and engage in a dynamic environment of exchange and networking, building meaningful relationships with the Lebanese contemporary dance and physical theatre scene from October 14 to October 25, 2026.

The festival aims to create an international platform connecting artists from different countries and backgrounds while strengthening artistic dialogue between local, regional, and international contemporary performance practices.

II- Eligibility Criteria

Open to international artists
Emerging and established choreographers and performers
Projects can be: performances, works-in-progress, or site-specific works
Open to multidisciplinary and hybrid formats
Work should be related to contemporary dance, physical theatre, and body-based practices

III- Application

Applications are submitted through this form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScSS6GYKz34KrDvbrQyBpQcnxiWtlR5x4_Svv_-LaYIN0ByGQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=105433120823815155232

Required materials:

Artistic description of the project
Video link (full work or excerpt)
Short bio of the artist(s)
Technical and administrative information

Duration:

10–25 minutes (work-in-progress)
Performances

Deadline: June 20, 2026
Notification: July 15, 2026

IV- Festival Program

Performances: A blend of local and international performances showcasing diverse styles and perspectives.
Masterclasses & Workshops: Led by established artists to enhance skill development among participants.
Traditional Dance Workshops: Highlighting local dance forms and cultural heritage.
Round Tables & Conferences: Discussions featuring curators and professionals from different regions with a focus on local and regional artists, opportunities, and challenges in the contemporary dance scene.
Curator Engagement: Bringing together curators from various countries to focus on Arab artists, with a special segment dedicated to emerging artists.
Training & Mentorship: A program designed to offer residency, training, and artistic support for five companies from different countries, focusing on emerging Arab artists.

V- What the Festival Provides

Performance space (theatre, public space, or site-specific locations)
Technical support depending on the venue
Accommodation in Beirut during the festival
Access to workshops and all festival activities
Visibility within the local and regional dance scene

Additionally:

Beirut Physical Lab can provide official invitation and support letters for selected artists to help them apply for visas, mobility grants, or travel support through cultural institutes, embassies, and funding organizations.
The festival team may also support selected artists in identifying possible funding opportunities or mobility programs whenever possible.
BCE encourages international artistic exchange and aims to create long-term connections between international artists and the contemporary dance and physical theatre scene in Lebanon and the Arab region.