Riverside Studios has announced that applications are now open for Bitesize Festival VII, which returns from 27 July to 30 August 2026 with its biggest edition yet.
The West London venue will present an expanded five‑week festival showcasing new short‑form theatre, the second Bitesize Short Film Festival and a large‑scale visual art exhibition.
Applications are now open for theatre‑makers, filmmakers and visual artists, closing at midnight on Tuesday 31 March.
Established as a major highlight of the summer cultural calendar, the festival provides a platform for bold, innovative work and offers an opportunity for artists not heading to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to present new pieces in London.
Live performances will be staged across Studio 3 and the River Room, featuring theatre, comedy, cabaret, dance, spoken word and gig theatre. All productions must run at a maximum of 60 minutes, with selected artists receiving between one and eight performances, marketing support, access to festival events and eligibility for festival awards. Artists will take home 70 percent of the net box office.
The Bitesize Short Film Festival returns for its second edition from 21 to 23 August, presenting a curated selection of original short films from emerging and established filmmakers. Submissions will be handled via FilmFreeway.
Running from 6 July to 31 August, the Bitesize Festival Art Exhibition will transform Riverside Studios into a gallery space, showcasing a wide range of mediums and styles from UK and international artists. Many artworks will be available to purchase.
Rhys Williamson, Head of Programming at Riverside Studios, said: “This year, as an alternative to Edinburgh, we are running Bitesize throughout August and offering all the benefits of a new writing festival to companies and individuals staying in London. We look forward to helping nurture their work and to sharing it with our enthusiastic audiences.
“The festival brings together theatre, film and visual art in a way that reflects the breadth of creativity we’re proud to support at Riverside Studios.”
Successful applicants will be informed at the end of April, with shows going on sale at the end of May. The festival will open with a launch party on Friday 31 July, followed by an awards ceremony on 29 August.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
