The 2025 Fringe Festival will operate on a reduced budget despite expanding its lineup and introducing new creative workshops.
Festival director Sharleen Ali confirmed the budget reduction at the official media launch, citing the major costs as venue hire and sound and lighting.
However, she acknowledged that a partnership with the Suva City Council had significantly lowered venue expenses.
“Our major costs are venue hire and sound and light,” she said.
“We are very grateful for the partnership with the Suva City Council, which has drastically cut our costs,” Ms Ali said.
Despite financial constraints, the festival is set to be one of its biggest yet, with over 400 new artists participating.
Ms Ali noted a marked increase in expressions of interest from performers, though space and technical limitations required organisers to curate the final lineup.
“There’s been a definite increase in the number of artists who sent in expressions of interest.
“Unfortunately, because we are limited in terms of venues and sound and lighting providers, we curate the Fiji Fringe program, meaning we select our artists and design the lineup accordingly.”
A major addition to this year’s festival is the introduction of expanded creative and cultural workshops.
These include literature education sessions in partnership with Baka Books and Studio Kin, catering to participants from children to senior citizens.
With a diverse lineup of performances and workshops, the 2025 Fringe Festival, which kicks off this Saturday, is expected to be a dynamic celebration of Fiji’s artistic community.
Fiji Fringe Festival director Sharleen Ali (standing fourth from left) with Suva City Council administrators and local artistes at the media launch of the Fiji Fringe Festival at the Suva City Centre yesterday.
Picture: KATA KOLI
