OPEN CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
ORGANIZER:
The International Puppet Festival the Golden Dolphin is established in 1972. It is held once in every three years, from 1st to 7th October, organized by the NGO The Golden Dolphin - Varna, Ministry of Culture , Varna Municipality, the Union of Bulgarian Actors (UBA), the Bulgarian Center of UNIMA and the State Puppet Theatre-Varna.
DATE AND LOCATION OF THE FESTIVAL:
The forthcoming 19th edition of the IPF the Golden Dolphin will be held from 1st to 7th October 2025 hosted by Varna State Puppet Theatre, 4, Dragoman str., Varna 9000, Bulgaria.
THE FESTIVAL GOALS:
The festival is intended to assist the development of Bulgarian dramaturgy for the puppet theatre, to popularize the achievements of Bulgarian puppet art, to introduce the modern trends and the latest quests of the puppet art all over the world, to contribute to the closer contacts between the puppet and theatrical specialists from the different countries.
The festival has a competitive character. The festival looks forward to present performances intended for adults or children, indoor and street venues.
Workshops covering wide scope of topics related to the theory and the practice of the puppet theatre are held within the frames of the festival.
HOW TO APPLY:
On the website of the State Puppet Theatre Varna are available
The Statute of the festival
https://vnpuppet.com/en/statute/
Application form
Application form 2025 ENG
Member List
Member List 2025 ENG
Professional theatres from Bulgaria and abroad may participate in the International Puppet Festival the Golden Dolphin.
The production(s) of the Bulgarian theatres offered for selection must be staged in the period from November 2022 till April 2025. The above-mentioned provision does not refer to the proposed production(s) by the foreign theatre companies.
The theatres shall be entitled to apply for with maximum 2 different performances. The theatres perform their production(s) once during the contest programme of the festival.
The candidates have to declare their offers completing the attached Application form and Member list.
The suggestions for participation should also be supported by:
- CD/VCD/DVD recording or link to the entire performance
- History of the company& logo
- Resume of the show
- 5 high-quality photographs
- Technical rider
- Press-dossier, promotional materials(brochures, programmes, posters etc)
The supplied material is not returnable
Please, send your applications to the following address:
IPF The Golden Dolphin
Varna State Puppet Theatre
4, Dragoman street
Varna 9000, Bulgaria
or to e-mail:
thegoldendolphin@vnpuppet.com
office@vnpuppet.com
DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATION FORMS: APRIL 30th, 2025
The participants shall be nominated by a Selection Commission. You will be notified about the selection decision latest to June 1st, 2025.
CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION:
All expenses related to the stay and the participation of the theatres, technical support, free access to the performances as well as the accommodations and the per diem will be borne by the festival organizers. The travel expenses are on the account of the visiting theatres. All other conditions for participation in the festival will be negotiated individually with the selected theatres.
FESTIVAL JURY AND AWARDS:
The festival has a competitive character in 3 sections:
- Production of a new Bulgarian puppet play or production after Bulgarian stage adaptation of literary work created after the last issue of the festival
- Puppet theatre production for children
- Puppet theatre production for adults.
An international jury awards honours and prize money for dramaturgy, stage production, artistry, stage design and music. All theatre troupes that take part in the festival will receive certificates of participation.
FESTIVAL CONTACT INFORMATION:
Mrs. Vera Stoykova – Artistic Director
Mrs. Ana Alexandrova – Executive Director
Mrs. Krasimira Hristova - Coordinator
Phone: +359 52/607 841; +359 52/608 172
Fax: +359 52/607 842;
Mobile: +359 885124012
Address: Varna State Puppet Theatre
4, Dragoman str.,9000 Varna, Bulgaria
Email:office@vnpuppet.com
thegoldendolphin@vnpuppet.com
Website: https://vnpuppet.com/en/