Presente Futuro - International Festival of Contemporary Theatre in Palermo

A showcase of the emerging contemporary scene

Presente Futuro is an international festival of contemporary creation organized by Teatro Libero Palermo, a historic independent venue located at Salita Partanna 4, just a stone's throw from Piazza Marina in the heart of the Kalsa district. Every year, in the second half of May, the festival transforms the theatre into a laboratory for the emerging scene, providing a platform for under-35 artists and companies active throughout the European Union.

The festival is entirely dedicated to contemporary creation in its most liberated forms: theatre, dance, dance-theatre, physical theatre, performance art, and contemporary circus. The entries, selected through an open call for European companies, are presented as full-length shows or excerpts in a packed schedule that features several different works each evening.

A competitive festival with prizes and residencies

Presente Futuro is not just a showcase but a genuine competition. The artistic direction, led by Luca Mazzone, selects around ten projects each year to compete, which are then evaluated by a jury of industry professionals and critics. The Presente Futuro Prize offers a production budget, an artistic residency period, and the opportunity to present the full version of the work during the Teatro Libero season or the following edition of the festival. Alongside the main prize, various residencies and collateral awards are granted by national and international partners, ranging from the Teatro San Materno in Ascona to the Sapienza University of Rome.

Over twenty years of research in Palermo

Founded in 2006 as a space dedicated to contemporary creation, the festival has its roots in a previous production prize active since the early 2000s. Since then, it has progressively broadened its scope: first to the Sicilian scene, then to Italian under-35 artists, and finally to the entire European landscape of emerging talent, through twinning and international collaborations. Over time, it has become one of the key events in the Province of Palermo and all of Sicily for those looking to discover the newest languages of the contemporary stage.

Performances, talks, and meetings

The program alternates evening performances with talks and meetings on theatre criticism and practice, creating moments of exchange between artists, professionals, and the audience. The atmosphere is intimate and intense, characteristic of a historic venue where the proximity between stage and audience enhances the sense of research and expressive risk. For the Palermo public and contemporary theatre enthusiasts, Presente Futuro is an opportunity to preview works that are often destined to mature and circulate within national and European circuits.

• Where: Teatro Libero Palermo, Salita Partanna 4 (Kalsa), Palermo
• When: In May, over four days
• What: Theatre, dance, dance-theatre, performance art, contemporary circus
• Who: Under-35 companies and artists from all over Europe