The UK's new home for international performance

Applications are now open for theatre and dance-makers from all over Europe to perform at BE FESTIVAL 2012.

The festival takes place from 2-8 July in Birmingham, and will offer selected companies an excellent opportunity to develop their work. It's the perfect platform for showcasing performances on an international stage and developing new touring relationships.

BE FESTIVAL programmes daring and delightful shows that cross borders of language, culture and style; shows that can reach and inspire people of different nationalities.

The deadline is 17 February 2012, and to be considered, artists must send a completed application form and a link to a video of their work.

Of the 15 companies who performed at BE 2011, 10 have been programmed at other venues and festivals since - including London International Mime Festival, the Barbican, the South Bank Centre, the Lowry, Leeds Carriageworks, Bilbao ACT Festival, Sarajevo MESS Festival and Fabrica Movimentos in Porto.

For more information, and to download the application form: www.befestival.org

To see a short video of BE FESTIVAL 2010: http://tiny.cc/BEFESTIVAL2010

To download the brochure of BE FESTIVAL 2011 (13 Meg): http://tiny.cc/BE2011_Brochure

To follow us on Twitter: @befestival

'BE exceeded expectations this year, the level of the performances was of a very high quality, the workshops offered variety, diversity and a chance to taste from a wide-range of artistic practices. Companies from all different stages in their development were able to perform and participate in the festival alongside high profile venue programmers. So in every sense the festival was a great success, both to us and everyone that we spoke with. I can’t wait to come back next year either as a participating artist or a ticket holder – I think this festival is vital to the creative landscape here in the UK and we want to stay connected with it.'