We invite artists and collectives from Hamburg’s independent performing arts scene to become part of the Freie Szene Festival – Performing Arts Hamburg 2027!
From April 12–18, 2027, the festival will bring together productions, artists, and diverse perspectives from Hamburg’s independent performing arts scene. We welcome works from all disciplines of the performing arts, as well as interdisciplinary and hybrid formats that reflect the diversity of Hamburg’s artistic landscape.
With its 13th edition, the festival is entering a new chapter, introducing a new name, a new structure, and new artistic leadership. Naomi Kelechi Odhiambo and The Schmidt will take over as co-directors for the next three editions, working alongside a broad alliance of institutions and organizations representing the independent performing arts to further develop the festival.
The Freie Szene Festival serves as both a showcase and a platform for exchange and connection, bringing together independent artists and cultural practitioners, Hamburg’s wider public, and national and international professional audiences.
A special highlight will be the Opening Gala at Kampnagel.. All selected productions will present a 5–10-minute excerpt of their work, offering a collective glimpse into the artistic diversity of Hamburg’s independent performing arts scene.
Coming Up: Work-in-Progress Open Call
We would also like to announce that an additional Open Call for our Work-in-Progress format will be launched in January 2027.
This format is designed for artists who wish to share insights into their current creative processes, experiment with new artistic ideas, or present projects in the early stages of development.
Selected artists will have 15–20 minutes to present their work, followed by an exchange with the audience.
Further details will be announced with the Open Call in January 2027.
We look forward to receiving your work, perspectives, and applications!
Eligibility Criteria
- Premiere between 1 September 2025 and 31 October 2026
- Professional production within the independent performing arts
- A video recording of the work is available or planned
- Predominant involvement of independent/freelance artists
- The production is part of the funding and financing structures of the independent performing arts scene
Connection to Hamburg
At least 2 of the following 3 criteria must be met:
- The participating artists are based in Hamburg, either professionally or personally.
- The production was financed or supported through funding available to Hamburg’s independent performing arts scene.
- The production has been presented in Hamburg.
Artists and collectives may submit a maximum of two productions.
All participating artists must be available during the festival period, April 12–18, 2027.
Application
Application deadline: November 15, 2026, at 6:00 PM (CET)
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the application form on this website. Applications submitted by email cannot be considered.
If you experience technical difficulties with the application form, please contact:
leitung@fringify.hamburg
Artist Fees & Travel Expenses
- €400 artist fee per person for one performance
- Up to an additional €180 per person for necessary rehearsals, subject to prior agreement
- Travel expenses for team members who do not live in Hamburg may be covered where possible, subject to prior agreement and available resources
Opening Gala – Participation
By submitting an application, you agree to present a 5–10-minute excerpt of your production at the Opening Gala on April 14, 2027, at Kampnagel, should your production be selected by the jury.
Not all members of the production team are required to perform at the gala. However, those participating in the presentation must be available on that date.
Selection Process
An independent jury will make the final selection by mid-January 2027. Selected productions will be notified by email in early February 2027.. Selected productions will be notified by email in early February 2027.
The jury will consist of: 1 independent artist
1 representative of the DfdK (Dachverband freie darstellende Künste Hamburg)
1 representative of an independent performance venue in Hamburg
1 national or international performing arts professional
Festival leadership
Additional Information
Productions with elaborate stage designs, special technical requirements, or specific spatial needs can indicate these in the application form.
While applicants may express preferences for particular venues, we cannot guarantee specific locations. Our technical team will work to ensure that all selected productions can be presented in suitable spaces.
Venue Confirmations for DfdK Funding Applications
We can provide venue confirmations (Spielstättenbescheinigungen) for artists applying for the DfdK’s Diffusionsförderung funding programme who wish to present their funded production as part of the festival.
For this edition, we can issue a maximum of five venue confirmations.
Please note that the application deadline for the Diffusionsförderung is November 1, 2026.
If you would like to request a venue confirmation, please contact us at: leitung@fringify.hamburg
We look forward to receiving your applications and to shaping the Freie Szene Festival – Performing Arts Hamburg together with you!
Simple Language
Open Call 2027
Freie Szene Festival- Performing Arts Hamburg
We are looking for your work!
The Freie Szene Festival Hamburg takes place from April 12 to 18, 2027.
We invite artists and groups from Hamburg to apply.
You can submit work from all areas of the performing arts.
For example:
- Theatre
- Dance
- Performance
- Music theatre
- Work that combines different art forms
We also welcome new and unusual formats.
The festival shows the diversity of independent performing arts in Hamburg.
About the festival
In 2027, the festival will take place for the 13th time.
The festival has a new name, a new structure, and new artistic directors.
Naomi Kelechi Odhiambo and The Schmidt will lead the festival together.
The festival is a place to meet and exchange ideas.
Artists can present their work and meet new people. The festival welcomes audiences in Hamburg and performing arts professionals from other cities and countries.
The Opening Gala
The Opening Gala takes place on April 14, 2027, at Kampnagel.
All selected productions will present a short excerpt of their work.
Dafür habt ihr 5 bis 10 Minuten Zeit.
If your production is selected, you must take part in the gala.
Not everyone in your team has to perform.
The people who perform must be available on April 14, 2027.
Who can apply?
Your production must meet these conditions:
- The premiere took place between September 1, 2025, and October 31, 2026.
- It is a professional production in the independent performing arts.
- A video recording of the production is available or planned.
- Most of the artists involved work independently or freelance.
- The production is part of the funding and financing structures of the independent performing arts scene.
How must your production be connected to Hamburg?
Your production must meet at least 2 of these 3 conditions:
- The artists involved live or work in Hamburg.
- The production received funding available to Hamburg’s independent performing arts scene.
- The production was shown in Hamburg.
You can submit a maximum of 2 productions.
All participating artists must be available from April 12 to 18, 2027.
How can you apply?
Application deadline: November 15, 2026, at 6:00 PM CET.
You can only apply through the application form on this website.
We cannot accept applications by email.
Do you have technical problems with the application form?
Please email us at:
leitung@fringify.hamburg
How much money will you receive?
The following payments are available:
- €400 per person for one performance.
- Up to €180 extra per person for necessary rehearsals. You must agree this with us in advance.
- Travel costs may be covered for team members who do not live in Hamburg. This depends on the available budget. Please talk to us before making travel arrangements.
How are productions selected?
An independent jury will decide which productions are selected by mid-January 2027.
Selected artists and groups will receive an email in early February 2027.
The jury will include:
- One artist from the independent performing arts scene.
- One representative of the DfdK.
- One representative of an independent venue in Hamburg.
- One performing arts professional from outside Hamburg.
- The festival directors.
The names of the jury members will be announced later.
Technical needs and venues
Does your production need special technical equipment?
Does it have a large stage set?
Does it need a special space?
Please tell us in the application form.
You can also tell us if you prefer a particular venue.
However, we cannot promise that your production will be shown at that venue.
Our technical team will find a suitable space for your production.
Venue confirmations for DfdK funding
Do you want to apply for funding from the DfdK?
You can apply for the Diffusionsförderung funding programme.
We can provide a venue confirmation. This document confirms that your production is planned to be shown at our festival.
For the 2027 festival, we can provide a maximum of 5 venue confirmations.
Die Bewerbungsfrist für die Diffusionsförderung ist der 1. November 2026.
Do you need a venue confirmation?
Please email us at:
leitung@fringify.hamburg
Another Open Call: Work in Progress
In January 2027, we will publish another Open Call.
This call is for artists who are developing a new work.
You can share:
- What you are working on now.
- New ideas you want to try.
- How a project is developing.
Für die Präsentation habt ihr 15 bis 20 Minuten Zeit.
Afterwards, you can talk and exchange ideas with the audience.
More information will be available in January 2027.
We look forward to hearing from you!
We look forward to seeing your work, your ideas, and your applications.
Let’s create the Freie Szene Festival 2027 together.
