FAQs

LITF is an amateur theatre competition featuring groups from around the world.
The festival is held in the town of Liverpool, Nova Scotia, on the east coast of
Canada, once every two years. The next festival will be held October 15 – 18, 2020.
It is the 15th LITF festival.

The festival is held at the Astor Theatre in the town of Liverpool, Nova
Scotia, on the east coast of Canada. To learn more about Nova Scotia, please
visit: http://novascotia.com/en/home/default.aspx#
To learn more about Liverpool, which is a town in the Region of Queens,
please visit: http://www.queens.ca/To learn more about the Astor Theatre, please visit the theatre’s website at:
http://www.astortheatre.ns.ca/ 

All of the plays presented at the festival are amateur productions that run
between 30 and 50 minutes. Most of the plays are presented in the language of
the country of origin. The plays are of the highest artistic quality, and
generally transcend language barriers.

Theatre companies submit an application to the festival’s artistic director,
who, with the Board, selects the plays that will appear at LITF. The plays
chosen represent a diversity of cultures, scenic forms, and dramatic expression.

The festival organizers hire adjudicators who are professional actors,
directors, and/or playwrights to judge the performances.

All performing groups receive our special “Harlequin Award” for participating in the festival. Trophies (non-monetary prizes) are awarded to winners in a number of categories, including:
• Best International Production
• Best Canadian Production
• Best Director
• Best Visual Presentation
• Best Actor, Best Actress
• Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress
• Best Original Script
• The People’s Choice Award

Normally the festival has twelve groups performing at the festival. In some instances, special performances outside the competition are included during the opening or closing ceremonies.

The organizers are committed to providing educational and cultural workshops
of the highest standard. During the festival, the adjudicators hold regular
morning sessions called Coffee Critiques, to review the previous day’s
performances. Over the five days of the festival, other theatre professionals
also host instructional workshops to expose delegates and audiences to a variety
of theatre arts and techniques.

Festival Club is hosted at the Liverpool Curling Club, located across the street
from the Astor Theatre. It is the entertainment and social hub for audiences,
performers, sponsors, and the media. Before and after performances, people
gather at the Festival Club to interact, relax, and be entertained. One of the
unique aspects of the Liverpool International Theatre Festival is the intimate
atmosphere and personal connections made possible by venues like the Festival
Club.Each evening after the final performance, a special event is put on at the
Festival Club. On the final night of the festival, International Night is held
featuring great music, fantastic food, and socializing with new friends.

Tickets are sold at the Astor Theatre, or by visiting the Astor Theatre
ticket hub online at: https://ww3.ticketpro.ca/groups.php?id=202&aff=astor

Most of the plays performed over the festival are suitable for general
audiences, although some content may not be suitable for children under 12
years. In some instances, performances are restricted to adults (18 years or
older). Please consult the full schedule of performances prior to purchasing
tickets for younger audience members.

Because of the various complications arising from booking international
performances, the complete list of plays is not published until approximately a month before the festival. Please check our website for updates.

Yes. All venues hosting festival events are wheelchair accessible.

Cold snacks, beverages and popcorn are on sale at the theatre. Several small
restaurants are within walking distance of the venue, serving a variety of food.
There is also a licensed bar at the Festival Club, across the street from the
theatre. Age restrictions apply to any area serving alcohol.

International and out-of-province companies participating in the festival are
offered accommodation in private homes free of charge for up to five nights.Audience members should visit our Places to Stay page in
the About the Area section for a list of accommodations.

The most convenient means to travel to Liverpool from Halifax International
Airport is by rental car. As the town is over an hour and a half away from the
airport, we do not recommend taking a taxi. Please refer to our map page [insert
map page] for travel directions.

Please contact the festival office at info@litf.ca

Anyone can become a sponsor – businesses, companies, organizations,
government, or individuals. Our sponsors play a lead role in the success of the
Liverpool International Theatre Festival. It is easy to take a part. No part is
too small! No audition necessary!

We recognize that our sponsors like to contribute in different ways. We are
pleased to accept a range of sponsorship options, including:
• In-kind products: Sponsors can give products that they manufacture or sell
which will be used to operate the festival (eg. vehicles, gas, food, wine,
paper, media, muffins)
• In-kind services or expertise: Sponsors may provide services or expertise to
the festival (eg. Website hosting, workshop delivery, food production, music)
• Cash: Sponsors may make cash contributions to the festival, which will then be
used to buy products or services necessary for the success of LITF.
• Combination: Sponsors may contribute cash and in-kind products or services.If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or partner for LITF 2012, or
would like more information, please contact info@litf.ca.

Benefits to sponsors are dependent upon the level of involvement. We provide
marketing opportunities and company exposure to a diverse demographic audience
through on-site signage, on our website, in print, and other media.

Applications for LITF 2022 can be requested from info@litf.ca.
The application includes:

• a description of the group, its history, and its activity
• the full text of the play (in the case of a non-text play, a written
  description of the scenario) in its original language as well as a complete
  synopsis in English
• a list of all the actors and their professions
• details of the technical design and requirements
• 5 – 10 different colour, action photographs of the play
• If possible, a recording (VHS, DVD or CD) of the entire play

 

The deadline for entries for LITF 2022 is already passed.

We will send a confirmation email to all applicants after receiving their application. If you have not received this confirmation, please email the LITF office at
info@litf.ca

The delegate fee includes:

• Admission to all performances (general seating)
• Free admission to the Festival Club receptions any dinners
• Admission to all workshops and Coffee Critiques
• A Festival bag (with Welcome gifts)

• All travel costs between their home and Halifax
• Any spending money for alcohol and any other incidentals
• Costs related to stays over and above the five days of the festival

Costs that are covered by the festival (for participants from outside Nova Scotia) include:

• Transportation between Halifax International airport to Liverpool (delegates
  MUST advise organizers of their arrival and departure times to qualify for the
  free transportation)
• Accommodation in a private home for a maximum of five days
• Breakfasts may be provided by the host home.

Participants from Nova Scotia:

• Participants from inside the province are responsible for all their travel costs to and from Liverpool. They are also responsible for their own accommodations and meals.

PLEASE NOTE: If participants choose to stay in a hotel, then they must pay their own accommodation charges.

International companies, and delegates flying to Halifax from outside the
province, are met at Halifax International Airport and driven to Liverpool free
of charge. At the end of the festival, the companies are then transported back
to the airport. It is critical that delegates notify us with their travel
itinerary to ensure transportation is waiting for them when they arrive.

All delegates performing in the festival must go to the Liverpool Curling
Club upon their arrival to register at the Registration Desk. This is where you
will find your host families, learn the schedule for rehearsals and
performances, pick up your meal vouchers and welcome bag, and get all the
information you need to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.Audience members should be at the Astor Theatre 15 minutes before the performance start time to take their seats.

Information about entering Canada can be found at Citizenship and Immigration
Canada

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp

International visitors to Canada must carry a valid passport and visa (if
required). Citizens from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Mexico, Japan, the
Republic of Korea, Australia, and others do not require a visa to enter Canada.
Visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp online for a complete listing.

Applicants must complete a visa package and submit it to the Canadian visa office in your region. Processing times vary, but can take up to 60 days, so make sure you allow enough time to get your visa before coming to Canada. In 2009, the fee for a visa is $75 for a single entry.
Please go to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website to download an application package and guide.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/apply-how.asp#step2

Canada residential power uses 110-volt electrical systems at 60 hertz. You will need a voltage transformer /converter for your electrical appliances if they operate on a different voltage.

Yes. In Nova Scotia there is a combined tax of 15% on most everything purchased. The tax is calculated separately on the base price of the item, so when you see a price tag on an item that is not necessarily what you will pay. In some stores, the tax is already included in the item, but in many other stores, the tax is added when you pay for the item. There is also an additional 2% hotel room tax.
However, there is good news. Keep your receipts, because visitors to Canada can
apply for a tax refund on many purchases taken out of the country and on certain
short-term accommodations. Please visit the Canada Revenue Agency’s website for
more information:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/tpcs/gst-tps/rbts/vstrs/fctp-eng.html 

Some of Canada’s standards for public behaviour may be more conservative than
you are used to, while others may seem more liberal. Social practices – not laws
– govern many types of behaviour. Some traditions are well established and are
politely but firmly enforced.

1. Lining up or queuing: People attending the festival normally line up or queue
according to the principle of “first-come, first-served.” They will be angry if
you push ahead in a line-up instead of waiting your turn.

2. Smoking: Most Canadians do not smoke. When you are in people’s homes, you
should always ask their permission to smoke. If they do not smoke themselves,
they may ask you to go outside to smoke.

Smoking is not permitted in any buildings in Liverpool, on buses or other
transportation, or in line-ups waiting to go into the theatre. The festival will
designate specific smoking areas outside the various venues.

3. Being on time: You should always arrive on time for any scheduled performance
or rehearsal. People who are late are often barred from entering a performance,
or participating in an event. For social events, people expect that you will
arrive within half an hour of the stated time.

4. Respect for the environment: People in Nova Scotia are very concerned about
the environment, and expect people to throw all waste in appropriate recycle,
organic, or garbage bins. This can be confusing. Please ask if you don’t know
what to do with your waste.

5. Bartering: Bargaining for a better price for goods or services is not common
practice in Canada, but there are some exceptions. When buying more expensive
items like cars or houses, the price is usually negotiated. However, Canadians
usually purchase smaller items for the price listed on that item.

6. Shopping: Stores compete with one another to attract customers, so it is wise
to check and compare prices at different stores before you buy. In Liverpool,
and surrounding areas, there are primarily small businesses that sell goods.
Many stores are closed on Sundays.

5. People in authority: In Canada, a person’s authority is related to his or her
position and responsibilities. Women hold the same kinds of positions as men,
and have the same kinds of authority. People do not hold authority just because
of their name, status, social class, or sex.

6. Police: The police in Liverpool are the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. They
are an important part of our community, and may be either men or women. They are
trained to serve and protect the public, including you. Police operate within
strict regulations, and follow established procedures. Canadians expect honesty
and fairness from the police, and show respect to police officers when speaking
or interacting with them.

7. Liquor / Drugs: You must be 19 years or older to drink or purchase alcohol in
Nova Scotia. The consumption of alcohol is permitted in licensed facilities or
in private homes. It is illegal to drink on the street and in vehicles. It is
illegal to use, buy, or sell marijuana, heroin, cocaine or other drugs.

8. Seatbelts: In Nova Scotia, all passengers in a vehicle must wear a seatbelt.