Theatre and Dance NI, in collaboration with Belfast International Arts Festival, and supported by the British Council Northern Ireland and The National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, is inviting applications for Spotlight on Theatre and Dance from Northern Ireland at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026.
Now in its seventh year, Spotlight supports theatre and dance artists and companies from Northern Ireland to connect, network and present at the world’s largest arts marketplace, Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Spotlight has helped Northern Ireland artists and companies connect with presenters and programmers from across the UK and beyond. Recent successes include Consumed, which was featured at Spotlight 2025 before securing license to show in Caracas, Venezuela, demonstrating the programme’s potential to open doors to international opportunities.
What is Spotlight?
Spotlight offers selected artists and companies the opportunity to pitch their work directly to an invited audience of national and international delegates at a dedicated event during Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Three successful applicants will be selected to deliver a short pitch (up to 8 minutes) and promote their work at a showcase event taking place at in Edinburgh, on Tuesday 18 August 2026.
Participants will also receive:
- Financial support to attend and participate
- One-to-one guidance on developing and delivering an effective pitch
- Opportunities to connect with national and international delegates
- Support in exploring future touring and collaboration opportunities
Read more, apply, at The Theatre and Dance NI website below.
Application deadline: Friday 19th June 2026.
