PROGRAMME BRIEF · KITFest 2026

KITFEST ATMAFRICAN THEATRE MARKET

A Professional Programme for Presenters, Programmers & Festival Directors

Friday 6 – Sunday 8 November 2026
Kenya Cultural Centre, Nairobi
Held within KITFest 2026 (3–15 Nov)
KITFEST ATM Poster

KITFest Trust

Kenya International Theatre Festival Trust

8th Floor, Maendeleo House, Loita Street, Nairobi

Overview

KITFest 2026 brings together over 200 Kenyan and 184 international artists across 13 days. Friday 6 – Sunday 8 November features the festival's densest concentration of new Kenyan and African work.

KITFest ATM brings international presenters to Nairobi to view a curated shortlist, meet companies, and negotiate touring or co-production deals.

Who This Is For

  • Festival directors and artistic directors scouting African work for future editions
  • Programmers and venue presenters building international touring slates
  • Producers and company managers exploring co-production partnerships
  • Cultural agency and funder representatives supporting international exchange

On the Market

Sauti za Boma

KITFest Trust’s storytelling programme presented as a market-ready product for international touring, licensing, or replication.

Shortlisted African Work

Individual Kenyan & regional productions pitched during Saturday's Market Pitch Session for touring or co-production.

Delegate Schedule

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Friday 6 November

Welcome & Kenyan Voices
9:00 – 10:00 AMDelegate Welcome Breakfast & Registration

Informal welcome, delegate packs, introductions to the KITFest Trust team.

10:00 – 11:30 AMRoundtable: The State of Kenyan & African Theatre Today

Panel discussion with KITFest Trust artistic leadership and invited local practitioners, framing the weekend's work in the context of the wider regional scene.

11:30 – 12:00 PMNetworking Break

Connect with fellow delegates and creative directors.

Afternoon / EveningCurated Shortlist

Dying Need No Shoes (Kenya) – Cheche Workshop · Ravindra Natya Nikethan (Kenya) – Main Auditorium · Notepad Poetry (South Africa) – Ukumbi Mdogo

Post-showMeet the Artists

Informal reception with the evening's companies — delegates and artists in the same room, no agenda.

Delegate Logistics

Application

Delegates apply or are invited; a short interest form informs 1-on-1 meeting schedules.

Free Tickets

Registered delegates receive complimentary access to all shows across the weekend.

Accommodation

Partner rates available through official KITFest accommodation partners.

Excursions

Nairobi tours and safari extensions managed by Take Me There Tours.

Curated Cap

Intentionally limited delegate capacity to prioritize substantive meetings over crowds.

Follow-up

KITFest Trust assists with post-festival facilitation of developed connections.

Underwriting & Sponsorship

Partnership Opportunities

KITFest ATM is an opportunity for a sponsor to be positioned as the underwriting partner of KITFest's international presenter market covering delegate travel support, welcome events and the pitch session with visibility across delegate materials, the roundtable, and the closing session.

KITFest Trust · Maendeleo House, Nairobi