The IFTF (Interfaculty Theater Festival) was founded in 1999 by the Kultuurraad and the student theater groups. For two years, it brought all the theater groups together under one umbrella. However, plans for the festival were eventually shelved due to a decline in the number of active theater groups. The absolute low point came in 2003 when only two groups remained. A lack of performance spaces and insufficient support stifled new initiatives before they could take root.
In 2005, the theater groups rose from the ashes, presenting a unique opportunity to revive the Theater Festival. From the very beginning of its revival, the festival’s main focus was raising awareness of the shortage of performance spaces in Leuven. Many theater groups performed under poor conditions and in venues that were hardly suitable for theatrical productions. The issue was addressed, and in 2008, a dedicated theater space was established for the groups under Alma 3.
Over the years, the festival grew into a well-established tradition in the student cultural scene, with more activities and an increasing number of theater groups participating each year. Thanks in part to the festival’s initiatives, the number of theater groups grew exponentially, reaching 13 for its tenth edition in 2013-2014.
The Interfaculty Theater Festival is an umbrella initiative by and for students involved in student theater. Our goal is to bring greater visibility to student theater in Leuven, which is sometimes treated as a lesser priority, by organizing events and promoting performances.
The festival aims to provide a strong framework for the theater groups, unite them in friendship, and advocate for their interests when necessary. Our mission is to be a home for student theater, both literally and figuratively. This means fighting for performance spaces but also serving as a central point of contact to support, assist, and motivate the groups in the challenge of staging a production.
The festival’s activities revolve around several key objectives. First and foremost, we schedule performances over a few weeks and coordinate joint promotional efforts, including posters, program booklets, a newsletter, and a website.
Our two main events, the opening night and closing night, give the festival its identity.
During the opening night, the participating theater groups offer a sneak peek of their productions, and all students have the opportunity to purchase a combo ticket for just €8, allowing them to see two performances. This encourages audiences to explore what different groups have to offer. The closing night is a festive conclusion to the festival. On this evening, a skilled jury awards the coveted “Bovenste Planken” prize to the theater groups—a crowning achievement after a year of hard work!
Additionally, we strive to bring theater groups together and foster experience-sharing. Beyond the opening and closing nights, we also organize workshops throughout the year in collaboration with Opendoek. These workshops offer both novice and experienced theater groups the chance to improve their skills in organization, directing, technical production, and acting.
