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Performer Applications 2027

The International Eressos Women's Festival is a long-standing celebration of women's creativity, talent and community, taking place in Skala Eressos on the beautiful island of Lesvos, Greece.

For more than 25 years, the festival has provided a platform for women performers from Greece and around the world. We welcome applications from musicians, singers, bands and other live performers across a wide range of genres.

🗓️ Key Criteria and Logistics

• Festival Dates: The 2027 International Eressos Women's Festival takes place from Monday 6 September to Saturday 18 September 2027. Please make sure you have some availability during this period before applying.
• Performance Times: Main-stage performances generally take place in our open-air cinema during the evening, usually between 21:00 and 22:30. In some cases, we may also discuss alternative performance times or venues.
• Who Can Apply: Performer applications are welcomed from women, including trans women, and non-binary performers whose identities and lived experiences align with women’s and lesbian communities.
• Festival Fit: We particularly welcome lesbian and queer women artists, as well as performers whose work and approach are compatible with the aims, character and audience of the festival.

💰 Fees, Travel & Hospitality

Sappho Women is a small, registered non-profit organisation and does not operate with the budgets available to large commercial festivals.

Arrangements are discussed individually and may include a combination of performance fee, travel contribution, accommodation, local transport, technical production and hospitality, depending on the circumstances of the act and the requirements of the performance.

Please provide realistic information about your requirements in the application form so that we can assess whether an arrangement would be practical within our available budget and resources.

DJ Applications 2027

The International Eressos Women's Festival is a long-standing celebration of women's creativity, talent and community, taking place in Skala Eressos on the beautiful island of Lesvos, Greece.

For more than 25 years, the festival has brought women together from around the world. DJs play an important part in the festival atmosphere, with parties and music events hosted across a number of local venues throughout Skala Eressos.

We welcome applications from DJs working across a wide range of genres and styles.

🎯 How DJ Selection Works

Sappho Women curates a pool of DJs whose applications we feel could be a good fit for the festival. Selected profiles are then shared with participating local venues, which choose DJs according to the style, atmosphere and audience of their individual events.

Being included in the DJ pool does not guarantee a performance slot. Final arrangements are made once a venue has expressed an interest and the practical details have been agreed.

🗓️ Key Criteria and Logistics

• Festival Dates: The 2027 International Eressos Women's Festival takes place from Monday 6 September to Saturday 18 September 2027 in Skala Eressos, Lesvos. Please make sure you have some availability during this period before applying.
• Performance Times: Most DJ sets take place during evening parties at local venues, generally later in the evening and into the night. A smaller number of daytime, lunchtime or sunset sessions may also be available.
• Who Can Apply: DJ applications through Sappho Women are welcomed from women, including trans women, and non-binary DJs whose identities and lived experiences align with women’s and lesbian communities.
• Festival Fit: We particularly welcome lesbian and queer women DJs, as well as DJs whose musical style, approach and audience are compatible with the character of the festival.

💰 Fees, Travel & Festival Support

Sappho Women is a small, registered non-profit organisation, and DJ appearances form part of a programme created in collaboration with participating local venues.

DJ fees, where available, are generally modest and depend on the individual venue and event. Exact arrangements are discussed directly with selected DJs before any performance is confirmed.

Travel and accommodation are not provided. Depending on the arrangement, selected DJs may receive festival support such as a discounted or complimentary festival wristband and hospitality on the night of their performance.

Please apply only if travelling to and staying in Skala Eressos during the festival period is realistically feasible for you.

Workshop Facilitator Applications 2027

The International Eressos Women's Festival is a long-standing celebration of women's creativity, community and connection, taking place in Skala Eressos on the beautiful island of Lesvos, Greece.

Workshops form an important part of the festival programme, offering participants opportunities to learn, explore, create, move, reflect and connect.

For 2027, we are placing greater emphasis on a smaller, carefully selected workshop programme. Rather than offering a very large number of sessions, our aim is to programme around 15–20 strong and varied workshop concepts, with selected workshops potentially repeated where demand and scheduling allow.

We welcome proposals across a wide range of subjects and formats, including creative, educational, wellbeing, movement, discussion-based and practical sessions.

🗓️ Key Criteria and Logistics

• Festival Dates: The 2027 International Eressos Women's Festival takes place from Monday 6 September to Saturday 18 September 2027 in Skala Eressos, Lesvos.
• Scheduling: Workshops are generally scheduled during daytime and early-evening hours. We will take preferred times into account where possible, but some flexibility is essential.
• Who Can Apply: Applications are welcomed from women, including trans women, and non-binary people whose identities and lived experiences align with women’s and lesbian communities.
• Participant Capacity: We generally prioritise workshops that can accommodate a reasonably sized group, ideally 15 participants or more. Smaller group sizes may still be considered where the nature or sensitivity of the workshop genuinely requires them.
• Repeat Sessions: Where a workshop is likely to be popular, we may ask whether the facilitator would be willing to offer the same session more than once during the festival.
• Festival Fit: We particularly welcome facilitators whose work is compatible with the aims and character of the festival and contributes positively to our international community.

💰 Financial & Practical Arrangements

• Facilitation: Sappho Women is a small registered non-profit organisation, and workshop facilitation is generally offered on a voluntary basis. We do not normally pay standard facilitation fees.
• Festival Wristband: Selected workshop facilitators will normally receive a complimentary festival wristband in recognition of their contribution to the programme.
• Travel & Accommodation: Facilitators are responsible for arranging and funding their own travel, accommodation, airport or port transfers and personal expenses.
• Venue & Basic Resources: Sappho Women will arrange the workshop venue and will discuss any basic practical requirements with selected facilitators. Please clearly state any equipment or materials needed in your application.
• Workshop Access: Festival workshops are generally available to registered festival wristband holders only and are included within the wristband programme.
• Participant Charges: Facilitators may not charge participants directly for workshop admission unless a specific exception has been agreed with Sappho Women in advance.
• Materials & Specialist Costs: Where a workshop involves genuine additional costs for materials, equipment, food or other specialist requirements, a separate materials charge may be agreed in advance. Any such cost must be clearly stated before participants register.

Film Screening Applications 2027

The International Eressos Women's Festival welcomes film submissions that can contribute something engaging, thought-provoking or entertaining to the festival programme.

We are particularly interested in films exploring women's lives, lesbian and queer experiences, identity, culture, creativity, history, community and social issues, although other themes may also be considered where they are a good fit for the festival and its audience.

We consider both short films and feature-length productions. Selected films may be screened in a smaller indoor venue or, where a larger audience is expected and the programme allows, in our open-air cinema.

🎬 Key Criteria and Logistics

• Festival Dates: The 2027 International Eressos Women's Festival takes place from Monday 6 September to Saturday 18 September 2027 in Skala Eressos, Lesvos.
• Screening Venue: Selection does not automatically mean a screening in the open-air cinema. Many independent films are better suited to a smaller indoor setting, while the cinema is generally reserved for screenings expected to attract a larger audience.
• Film Length: Both short films and feature-length productions will be considered.
• Screening Copy: If selected, you must be able to provide a high-quality digital screening file in a suitable format.
• Language & Subtitles: Films not primarily in English should normally be available with English subtitles.
• Screening Rights: You must have the authority to grant Sappho Women permission to screen the film as part of the festival programme.
• Full Screener: A private link to the full film is required with every submission. We only consider films that we are able to review in full before making a programming decision.

💰 Screening Fees, Attendance & Practical Arrangements

Sappho Women is a small registered non-profit organisation and does not generally operate with commercial film-festival screening budgets.

We do not normally pay a standard screening or licensing fee for submitted films. Where appropriate, a modest screening fee or other arrangement may be discussed depending on the film and the circumstances of the proposed screening.

Travel and accommodation are not provided, and filmmakers or producers do not need to attend the festival in person.

Where a filmmaker, producer or representative is attending, a Q&A or short discussion following the screening may be arranged on request and where the programme and venue allow.

Book Launch & Author Presentation Applications 2027

The International Eressos Women's Festival welcomes proposals from authors who would like to present their work as part of the 2027 festival programme.

We are particularly interested in books and presentations exploring women's lives, lesbian and queer experiences, culture, creativity, history, community and social issues, although other subjects may also be considered where they are a good fit for the festival and its audience.

Sessions may take the form of a book launch, author talk, reading, interview, Q&A, discussion or a combination of these.

📚 Key Criteria and Logistics

• Festival Dates: The 2027 International Eressos Women's Festival takes place from Monday 6 September to Saturday 18 September 2027 in Skala Eressos, Lesvos.
• Scheduling: Book launches and author presentations will generally take place during the daytime or early evening.
• Who Can Apply: Applications are welcomed from women, including trans women, and non-binary people whose identities and lived experiences align with women’s and lesbian communities.
• Festival Fit: We consider the relevance of the book or proposed session, its likely appeal to the festival audience, the proposed format and the practical requirements involved.
• Session Format: Please give us a clear idea of what you would like to do during the session and what the audience can expect.

💰 Fees, Book Sales & Practical Arrangements

There is no charge for an approved book launch or author presentation slot, and sessions are normally offered to festival participants free of charge.

Participation in the programme does not automatically include a complimentary or discounted festival wristband.

If you would like to sell books during or following your session, this must be agreed with Sappho Women in advance. Depending on the arrangement, a small fee or commission may apply.

Authors are responsible for complying with any applicable Greek tax, invoicing and receipt requirements relating to their own book sales.

Travel and accommodation are not provided. Authors are responsible for arranging and funding their own travel, accommodation, transfers and personal expenses.

Product Presentation & Tasting Applications 2027

The International Eressos Women's Festival welcomes proposals from producers, makers and businesses who would like to introduce a product to our international festival audience.

We are particularly interested in local and regional products, women-led businesses, artisan producers and products with a connection to Lesvos, the wider Aegean region or the character of the festival.

Suitable proposals may include food and drink, olive oil, wine, preserves, natural products, crafts and other locally produced or distinctive goods.

🛍️ Key Criteria and Logistics

• Festival Dates: The 2027 International Eressos Women's Festival takes place from Monday 6 September to Saturday 18 September 2027 in Skala Eressos, Lesvos.
• Who Can Apply: Applications are welcomed from producers, makers and businesses whose products and proposed presentation are relevant to the festival audience. Priority may be given to women-led businesses and products with a clear local or regional connection.
• Format: Proposals may take the form of a product presentation, tasting, demonstration or a combination of these.
• Festival Fit: We consider the quality and relevance of the product, the proposed format, practical requirements and likely interest for the festival audience.
• Samples: Where samples are offered as part of the presentation or tasting, these are normally provided by the applicant at their own cost.

💰 Sales, Costs & Practical Arrangements

Approved product presentations and tastings are normally offered to festival participants free of charge unless a different arrangement has been agreed in advance with Sappho Women.

If you would like to sell products during or following the session, this must be agreed with Sappho Women in advance. Depending on the arrangement, a small fee or commission may apply.

Applicants are responsible for complying with all applicable Greek legal, tax, invoicing, receipt, food-safety, alcohol and labelling requirements relating to their products and any sales made during the festival.

Travel and accommodation are not provided. Applicants are responsible for arranging and funding their own travel, accommodation, transfers and personal expenses.

Participation in the programme does not automatically include a complimentary or discounted festival wristband.

Volunteer Applications 2027

The International Eressos Women's Festival depends on the support of a small volunteer team who help with the many practical tasks needed to keep the festival running smoothly.

Volunteering is a chance to contribute directly to the festival, meet people from across our international community and become part of the team behind the programme.

Volunteer duties are varied and may include helping at the open-air cinema, supporting workshops and facilitators, assisting with practical errands, helping with event set-up, providing information to participants and responding to occasional ad-hoc requests during the festival.

🗓️ Key Criteria and Commitment

• Festival Dates: The 2027 International Eressos Women's Festival takes place from Monday 6 September to Saturday 18 September 2027 in Skala Eressos, Lesvos.
• Who Can Apply: Volunteer applications are welcomed from women, including trans women, and non-binary people whose identities and lived experiences align with women’s and lesbian communities.
• Estimated Commitment: We ask volunteers to contribute approximately 25 hours across the festival period. This is usually spread across shorter periods of practical support rather than full-day shifts, and may include scheduled duties as well as occasional ad-hoc requests when help is needed.
• Availability: Some volunteer duties take place during evening events, while occasional daytime or early-morning assistance may also be required.
• Communication: Volunteers need to be contactable during the festival and comfortable using WhatsApp for team communication and practical updates.
• Working Together: We are looking for people who are reliable, flexible, practical and comfortable working as part of a small team. A reasonable level of spoken English is important because the festival attracts an international audience.
• Time Off: Volunteer duties are organised so that everyone has plenty of time to enjoy the festival as well as contribute to the team.

🎟️ What Volunteers Receive

• Complimentary Festival Wristband: Selected volunteers receive a complimentary festival wristband for the 2027 festival.
• Volunteer T-Shirt: Volunteers receive a festival volunteer T-shirt to wear while on duty.
• Hospitality: Food or refreshments may be provided during certain duties or events where available.
• Team Experience: Volunteers become part of the festival team and may be invited to a volunteer or team get-together during or around the festival period.

Travel and accommodation are not provided. Volunteers are responsible for arranging and funding their own travel, accommodation, transfers and personal expenses.

We will also need volunteer support with preparing the open-air cinema before the festival begins and dismantling equipment after it ends. To help us plan, please tell us when you expect to be in Skala Eressos and whether you would be available to assist outside the official festival dates.