BICT Fest 2026: Bangkok International Children Theatre Festival
Come experience the power of “PLAY”
Featuring 11 performances, 6 Workshops by artists from 9 countries
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Attention please! The Bangkok International Children’s Theatre Festival (BICT FEST) is back from 21–30 August 2026. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the 5th BICT Fest returns with an exciting programme for audiences of all ages. BICT Fest invites everyone to come and “play with attention” with us once again under this year’s theme, “Play Attention: Look Who’s Growing Up!” The theme celebrates BICT’s growth over the past decade and reflects our commitment to giving something back to our audiences.
Get ready! 11 artists from 9 countries: Belgium, France, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and Thailand will take you on a captivating journey through art and performances.
Moreover, the 3rd Asian Theatre for Young Audiences Meeting will be held again under the theme “From Attention to Action: Children’s Realities and Rights in Asian TYA” with support from the Japan Foundation, Bangkok.
This year’s festival presents a diverse line-up of performances that suit audiences of all ages, including ‘Kaow Kome’. A multidisciplinary performance specially created for babies aged 3–24 months and their families. Collaboration between Bambino! (Kyoto, Japan) and Ladda Kongdach from Crescent Moon Theatre, with support from the Japan Foundation, Bangkok, explores the shared cultural significance of rice in Japan and Thailand.
Kaow Kome
Showtime:
Fri 21 August 2026 at 11:00 / 16:00
Sat 22 August 2026 at 11:00 / 16:00
Sun 23 August 2026 at 11:00 (Post Talk) / 16:00
Venue: Goethe-Institut Thailand
Details:
Where does rice come from?
Our first food—a gentle gift from the earth—reaching toward the unknown sky — in a world of rapid change.
Kaow Kome is an immersive theatre performance for babies aged 0–2 and their families. Created through an international collaboration between Bambino! (Japan) and Crescent Moon Theatre (Thailand), the performance brings together contemporary theatre, dance, and live music to celebrate “the quiet miracle” of growth. Inspired by shared significant culture of rice-related and everyday rituals of parenting by using soft movement and tender sound. Offers a plentiful-sensory expirience that kindly invites both parents and babies into a space of warmth and wonder.
W1 Kaow Kome Workshop | Moving with Care: The Echo of Presence – Dwelling in the New Balance
Artist: Bambino! and Crescent Moon Theatre
Suitable participants: Families with children aged 3-24 months Artists and movement enthusiasts
Capacity: 15 Pax
Duration: 120 Minutes
Date/Time: Sat 22 August 2026 13:00-15:00
Venue: Goethe-Institut Thailand
Discover the beauty of movement in everybody—small or big, round or slender. Move together, celebrate our differences, and explore how they can inspire a new sense of balance.
This workshop welcomes families with children under 2 years old, artists, and anyone curious about movement as an art form. No previous experience is needed—just bring an open heart and a spirit of curiosity.
The 3rd Asian Theatre for Young Audiences Meeting
Date/Time: 24-26 August 2024
Venue: Jim Thompson Art Center
Details:
The 3rd Asian Theatre for Young Audiences Meeting will be held under the theme “From Attention to Action: Children’s Realities and Rights in Asian TYA”. Artists, producers, educators, and all those involved in Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) are warmly invited to join this gathering, where participants will connect, exchange ideas, and engage in dialogue centered on “The Situation and Rights of Children in Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) in Asia.”
| Day 1 Tuesday 25th August 2026, |
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| 10:00 – 12:00 | Roundtable Discussion: Responding to Realities: TYA Practices Across Diverse Contexts Facilitator: Nao Miyauchi – Independent producer/ Live arts coordinator (Japan) |
| 13:30 – 15:30 | Workshop: Mapping the Presence and Future of TYA Facilitators: – Emma Liao – Independent arts manager and project manager, Taiwan Baby Theatre Lab: TBTL (Taiwan) – Pei Chi, Chan, Researcher and co–founder of the Taiwan Baby Theater Lab: TBTL (Taiwan) |
| Day 2 Wednesday 26th August 2026 |
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| 10:00 – 12:00 | Panel Discussion: From Principles to Practices: Children’s Rights in Theatre Speakers: – Akira Ota, President of ASSITEJ Japan Center – Ellison Tan, Representative of ASSITEJ Singapore – Jeeyoung Bang, President of ASSITEJ South Korea – Rachmi Dewi Pertama, President of Tamasja–ASSITEJ Indonesia – Susan Giles AM, President of ASSITEJ International (Australia) Moderator: Mira Veruphak, Founder, MAPPA, a Learning Design and Media Platform |
| 13:30 – 15:30 | Workshop: Wide Open Window – taking the rights of the child seriously Facilitator: Susan Giles AM, President of ASSITEJ International (Australia) |
| 25 – 26 August 2026 | |
| 16:00 – 17:30 | Special Activity: BICT DEBUT |
Nao Miyauchi
Nao Miyauchi is an independent producer/live arts coordinator based in Tokyo. From 2011 to 2020, she worked as Assistant Producer/International Communication at ricca ricca*festa -International Theater Festival OKINAWA for Young Audiences-. Going freelance in 2020, she co-founded ‘arts knot’, a team of arts managers specialising in international performing arts projects. In 2024, she established The 70 LLC. She has collaborated with leading festivals and theatres across Japan, including Bird Theatre (Tottori), Yokohama YPAM/Yokohama Performing Arts Meeting (Yokohama) and Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre (Tokyo) She also works as a translator and interpreter.
Akira Ota
Born in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture. As a member of the Kawasaki Parent-Child Theater, he was exposed to a wide range of performing arts. In 1996, he joined the Tokyo Theater Ensemble (TEE). Since then, he has been involved in the production of nearly all of their work. As the head of talent development for the Japan Children’s and Youth Theater C ompanies Cooperative, he has led numerous seminars and workshops. Through a series featuring guest lecturers from abroad, he has organized seminars and workshops with participants from over 20 countries across five continents. He is also dedicated to the development and promotion of Baby Theater in Japan. He will assume the position of President of the ASSITEJ Japan Center in June 2025.
Learn more about the BICT TOGETHER ticket options at
https://www.eventpop.me/e/155460/bicttogether2026
Tickets for all programmes are now available at https://www.eventpop.me/c/bictfest2026
Contact
Stay updated on BICT Fest:
Website: http://www.bictfest.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bictfest
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bictfest
Email: bictfest@gmail.com
