The Scottish International Storytelling Festival (SISF) will take place from Wednesday 21st to Saturday 31st October 2026. This year, we open up rich relationships between storytelling and the natural environment, exploring the traditional and contemporary ties between humans, birds and the animal world through our theme ‘Bird and Beast‘.
SISF now invites proposals for consideration to feature in the festival programme aligning with this year’s theme and meeting SISF’s core purpose, aims and values.
About SISF
SISF explores the traditional art of live, oral storytelling in contemporary society. It takes place annually each October in Edinburgh and across Scotland, with local community events extending through November.
The festival encourages collaboration with other artforms, including music, song, dance and traditional crafts. It also works in partnership with other festivals and cultural organisations.
The programme includes adult events, family events, workshops and digital offerings.
SISF is committed to:
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Scotland’s Languages, including BSL
- Cultural Safeguarding
- Environmental Sustainability
- Fair Work
Event Proposals
Storytellers are invited to submit a storytelling event proposal aligning with this year’s theme and meeting SISF’s core purpose, aims and values (as outlined above). If selected, the event will be featured in the 2026 festival programme and presented in Edinburgh and/or another local venue in Scotland.
Submitting your Proposal
Eligibility
Creative practitioners of 18 years of age or over, who are based in Scotland and are rooted in the traditional artform of live, oral storytelling.
Collaboration with other artforms and/or international artists is also welcomed, but the lead applicant must be based in Scotland.
How to apply
- Eligible artists (see above) are invited to make one submission for the SISF Programme
- Please complete and submit the Google form (below) by Tuesday 5th May:
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- Preview of questions (PDF) – for information only
- SISF 2026 Invitation for Storytelling Proposals (Google Form)
- We ask all applicants to complete our Equalities Monitoring Form. The form is completely anonymous and helps us understand more about the diversity of the people who apply to take part in SISF.
- You will receive an acknowledgement email from the Festival team as soon as possible, confirming receipt of your proposal.
- All applicants will receive a final decision on their proposal by Friday 29th of May.
Access
We will provide any required support to make this process as accessible as possible, including verbal or BSL submissions via video. Please address any access requirements to storytellingfestival@tracscotland.org
Enquiries
Any general enquiries should be addressed to storytellingfestival@tracscotland.org in the first instance.
