THE FESTIVAL
At its 8th edition, Teatri Riflessi is a competition centred on short plays, with no distinction of language: drama, poetry, dance, and performance.
Since its first edition in 2009, the festival has been promoting the short play format, encouraging a discussion on dramaturgy and enhancing the immediacy of contemporary art languages. In addition, each work stimulates a reflection on the landscape (artistic, cultural, physical, and social), connecting the stage to the representation of the territory and the territory to the contemporary scene.
2023 Edition
Otherness
Organised by IterCulture, in collaboration with the Municipality of Zafferana Etnea, with the support of Di Bella Costruzioni,
and the patronage of CENDIC – National Centre of Italian Contemporary Dramaturgy and the University of Messina
The common thread of the festival is the concept of Otherness.
Theatre allows identification as it offers a chance to exchange perspectives and broaden the horizon. Seeing things from a different point of view, through the eyes of the other, is the only way to overcome differences without erasing them. Empathy can be the solution to achieving a sincere form of inclusion. In the end, what we all share is much more than what separates us.
Discover the semifinalists and the juries of the international short-play competition.
THE COMPETITION
Among the submitted proposals, 13 short plays have been selected, lasting around 15 minutes. The selected semifinalists are performing on Thursday, the 13th, and Friday, the 14th of July.
All works will receive a cachet of €500.
Two Boards of experts from the performing arts industry will evaluate the short plays, proclaiming the finalists who are performing again on Saturday, the 15th.
In addition to the prizes of the competition, the members of Teatri Riflessi’s network can appoint special awards: hosting a play within their theatres or festivals, offering art residencies, tutoring programmes, or incentives.
Published on the 23rd of January, the open call closed on the 23rd of March 2023.
SHORT PLAYS
Teatri Riflessi wants to enhance the short play format per se: not as a reduction of a longer work nor as a starting point for a full-evening adaptation. The strength of the short play format lies in the artistic immediacy and urgency it conveys.
The framework of the competition connects, in a way, the ancient Greek theatre—devised as an outdoor competition for a vast audience—to the most provocative tendencies in happenings and performance art, which hinge upon the innate desire of the beholder to participate.
The semifinalists of TR8
“Alldough” | Machete
Republik Österreich (Austria), Koninkrijk België (Belgium)
“Corrente” | Beatriz Mira & Tiago Barreiros
República Portuguesa (Portugal)
“Herz” | ProEnglish Theatre of Ukraine
Україна (Ukraine)
“Gianna” | Nello Provenzano
Campania
“K(-A-)O” | Kenji Shinohe
日本 (Giappone), Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Germany)
“La vera storia di Turi u Bastaddu e Agatina puntini puntini” | Retablo
Sicily
“Makallè” | Miriam Scala
Sicily, Latium
“ORFARM – La Fattoria degli Animali” | Torre del drago aps
Apulia
“The Vitruvian Human” | Hungry Sharks CIE
Republik Österreich (Austria)
“They’re just joking” | Alessia Ruffolo
Canada, Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Germany)
“Tutto il mio amore” | Melania Fiore – La Resistenza delle Formiche Teatro
Latium
“Vicè'” | Gruppo ELE
Sicily
“Zoe” | Sara Baldassare
Lombardia
The awards of the competition are issued thanks to Di Bella Costruzioni S.R.L. and dedicated to Giovanni Di Bella, the founder and honorary president of the company.
Winners will receive an artwork created by NI.VI Ceramiche – Mary Imbiscuso.
THE PRIZES
- Special Mention of the Audience;
- Special Mention of the Youth Jury;
- Special Mention of the Press Jury;
- Special Mention “Otherness”: Companies’ Choice Award;
- ‘Giovanni di Bella’ Best Dance Dramaturgy (€ 400);
- ‘Giovanni di Bella’ Best International Dramaturgy (€ 400);
- ‘Giovanni di Bella’ Best Italian Dramaturgy (€ 400);
- ‘Giovanni di Bella’ Best Direction (€ 400);
- ‘Valentina Nicosia’ Best Interpretation (€ 400);
- ‘Giovanni Di Bella’ Best Short Play (€ 1,200).
Special Prizes
Teatri Riflessi’s Network and the members of the Juries (artistic directors and programmers for theatres and festivals, theatre networks, programming organisms, and residency centres) can:
- host one or more participants within their season, either with the short play competing in the competition or with the full-evening project, if submitted;
- offer a residency to one or more participants to support the production of the full-evening project presented or of other works;
- offer tutoring programmes with professionals and experts in the sector;
- offer incentives.
Teatri Riflessi 8 is promoted and organised by IterCulture, in collaboration with the Municipality of Zafferana Etnea, the support of Di Bella Costruzioni s.r.l., and the patronage of CENDIC – National Centre of Italian Contemporary Dramaturgy and the University of Messina.
Teatri Riflessi 8 opens ETNA in Scena 2023 – organised by the Municipality of Zafferana Etnea (CT).
Planning and Artistic Direction
Dario D’Agata and Valerio Verzin
Short Play Competition
Roberta Gambino
Technical direction: Valerio Santi
Technical Commissions: Claudia Migliori
Logistics: Orazio Morace
Stage assistant: Claudia Regio
Juries: Laura del Campo
Cultural activities
Emanuela Di Grigoli e Agata Prastani
Staff: Giulia Sgroi, Agata Prastani, Martina Caruso
Scenes and set-up: Erika Rizza
Communication
Ilaria Mirenna
Social media: Valeria Buta
Illustrations: Sofia Rana
Photos: Alice Cantone
Administration
IterCulture (Dario D’Agata, Orazio Morace, Valerio Verzin, Ilaria Mirenna)
FAQ
Will there be a cachet?
Each selected short play will receive a cachet of € 500 and a potential additional reimbursement of up to € 250 (depending on the funds available, the origin of the play, and the number of participants involved), both issued by the Municipality of Zafferana Etnea. The main prizes of the festival consist of a contribution (see the section Prizes, down below). All reimbursements and potential contributions will be paid after the festival if the participants have complied with all the articles and deadlines in the call.
Do I have to pay to submit my proposal?
No. Only if selected, you will need to send a deposit in April that will be refunded after the festival.
When do I need to be in Zafferana?
As you will be rehearsing either on the 11th or on the 12th of July, you need to be in Zafferana from the 11th/12th to the 16th of July (the final is on the 15th).
I don’t have a video recording of the play. What can I do?
We only need the recording to assess the interpretation and have an idea of the play. An excerpt is sufficient and so is a reading.
What if I change something in the play from the materials I submitted?
No major changes are allowed. Only if previously communicated and authorised, minor changes will be tolerated.