INAF25 – “Are You Kidding Me?”

A celebration of humor, connection, and performing arts for young audiences

From May 6–10, 2025, INAF – the International Norwegian ASSITEJ Festival – welcomed artists, professionals, and audiences to a brand-new edition in Oslo. Hosted for the first time at Riksteatret, in collaboration with Kulturtanken and Det Andre Teatret, the festival moved from its longtime home in Kristiansand to the Norwegian capital—opening up new possibilities, partnerships, and perspectives.

With the theme “Are You Kidding Me?”, INAF25 explored how humor can be a powerful entry point to meaningful theatrical experiences for young audiences. Over five packed days, the festival featured performances, masterclasses, workshops, professional exchange, and networking opportunities for the national and international field.

Performances

INAF25 featured a strong and diverse lineup of performances for audiences ranging from early childhood to adolescence:

• M.I.S. – All Night Long and K.I.S.S. by Don Gnu (DK) combined dance, theatre, and absurd physical comedy in a hilarious and high-impact double bill exploring gender, identity, and movement. Their signature blend of chaos and choreography earned standing ovations.

• Odd by TuBo & CO (SE) offered a gentle, wordless story about being different, using clowning, live music, and subtle humor to reach even the youngest audiences with its heartfelt message.

• The Toys Strike Back by Det Andre Teatret (NO) exploded onto the stage with improvisation and creativity, inviting the audience into a playful world where toys have minds of their own—and a lot to say.

• Latin America by Adrián Minkowicz (AR) was a razor-sharp and thoughtful stand-up comedy show for adolescents. In this solo performance, Minkowicz navigated cultural clashes, language, and identity with charm, honesty, and big laughs.

Masterclasses

Three distinct masterclasses allowed participants to learn directly from this year’s performers and their methodologies:

• From Chaos to Comedy by Don Gnu explored how structured improvisation and physicality can be shaped into bold and comedic performance for young audiences.

• Minding the Body by TuBo & CO provided insight into physical storytelling and creating non-verbal, body-led theatre for the very young.

• Improvising for and with Kids by Det Andre Teatret invited participants to explore the joy and unpredictability of improvising with young audiences—embracing playfulness and surprise.

Professional Exchange & Talks

INAF25 strengthened its international profile by hosting an ambitious Professional Exchange Program tailored for artists, producers, and programmers from across the world:

• A Speed Pitching session connected Norwegian artists one-on-one with international programmers in a fast-paced, matchmaking format—designed to spark future touring opportunities and creative dialogue.

• The Concept Pitch allowed both national and international companies to share finished or nearly finished performance concepts with a large professional audience, offering a window into upcoming projects and artistic visions.

In addition to these formats, the professional program featured:

• Two international mingles designed to build networks across borders in an informal, welcoming atmosphere.

• Three panel discussions on key themes in the field:

  • “Funny / Not Funny” explored the ethics and boundaries of humor for young audiences.

  • “Don’t Put Baby in a Corner (of Boredom)” focused on humor for babies and toddlers.

  • “Exporting Concepts” explored the possible future of sustainable and accessible touring with exporting concepts.

• Two workshops:

  • “Funny Marketing” addressed how to communicate funny work to audiences and gatekeepers.

  • “Laughing for Change” with Adrián Minkowicz tackled how humor can address heavy or taboo topics with care and clarity.

• A keynote lecture on the power of humor in education gave broader context to the importance of laughter and levity in learning environments.

Social & Informal Activities

Beyond the formal program, INAF25 offered participants a chance to connect socially and recharge in the spirit of the festival:

• The festival opened with a party welcoming all delegates, artists, and guests.

• Every evening, the festival bar provided a relaxed setting for drinks, conversations, and late-night laughs.

• Morning swims, relaxed group strolls, and informal meetups added to the warm and inclusive atmosphere.

Wrapping Up

INAF25 brought humor to the forefront—not only on stage but in how we meet, share, and build community in the performing arts for young audiences. Whether through laughter, collaboration, or thought-provoking conversation, the festival reaffirmed the power of theatre to connect us across differences.

Thank you to all artists, companies, professionals, audiences, and volunteers who made this festival unforgettable.

We can’t wait to see you again i 2027!