The Norwegian Storytelling Festival

Open call - Fortellerfestivalen 2027

We are currently seeking programme suggestions for Fortellerfestivalen 2027 which will take place from 11-14 March in Oslo. The theme for 2027 is Playing the Part.

The stories we choose to tell about ourselves often require self-deception. Cast as fictional characters in our own lives, we lie to ourselves to keep up appearances. Playing the part can foster unhealthy avoidance; addiction, misrepresentation, superficiality and dehumanisation. But it also represents the very power of imagination and fantasy that makes us survive as a species, lie freely and consciously, create stories, drama, literature, art, visions and dreams – which are also prerequisites for change.

By playing the part and engaging our imaginations, we allow ourselves to envision a better life, a better world. 

For our 2027 festival we are seeking stories of lies, illusions and make-believe; of lonely dreamers, cynical swindlers, and conspiracy theorists. Who is our modern-day Don Quixote? Or Peer Gynt? Or Bluebeard with his secret cellar full of corpses?

We welcome suggestions for various types of activities related to the theme. While performance storytelling is our primary focus for festival programming, we are also interested in projects that use storytelling within educational, cultural heritage and social contexts. Programme suggestions may include: 

• storytelling performances for adults

• shorter tales that may be included in a larger event

• lectures/presentations

• workshops

• interactive events

Please note that we encourage international guests to offer both a performance and some form of workshop or practice sharing. You are welcome to submit information about your primary suggestion, with a note about accompanying activities under “Supporting activities.” If you would like us to consider two separate projects, please send two forms. Contact post@fortellerfestivalen.no if you need further guidance about your submission. 

All submissions should include video documentation. See Open call criteria and conditions under for more information.

Click the button below and use our suggestion form to tell us about your project.

The deadline for suggestions is Monday 10 August.
We will reply to all suggestions by 30 October.

Open call criteria and conditions

All performance suggestions must include video documentation. For performances that have had their premiere we require a full filmed version. For productions in development or other activities you may send film from similar projects from the same storyteller/team, or record an excerpt. A short video captured on a phone can be enough, as long as we get a clear impression of the storytelling style and any other key aesthetic elements. 

Programme suggestions will be considered by the festival’s artistic council. Programme decisions are based on artistic quality, diversity, deliverability and relevance in relation to the theme. Individual choices must also take into account the profile and dramaturgy of the festival as a whole. Financial and practical aspects are also taken into consideration. Multidisciplinary work is welcome, however suggestions without a clear and prominent element of oral storytelling will not be considered.

To ensure an efficient process we ask that all suggestions during the open call be sent through the form. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to give individual feedback regarding programme suggestions. 

Festival artists and crew are paid in accordance with local union recommendations. Fees and expenses will be negotiated once all programme suggestions have been reviewed.