New Delhi Fringe Festival 2025: Delhi’s Boldest Stage for Alternative Theatre & Experimental Arts

A New Era of Indian Theatre

The New Delhi Fringe Festival ( NDFF ) is redefining Delhi’s cultural map. Curated by theatre visionary Kuljeet Singh, founder of Atelier Theatre, NDFF is India’s first and largest fringe festival dedicated to experimental and alternative performing arts.

The 2025 edition, running from 13 to 21 December 2025, promises nine days of cutting-edge performances, fresh storytelling, and boundary-breaking creativity across multiple venues in Delhi.

The Vision Behind NDFF

Unlike mainstream theatre festivals, NDFF champions freedom of expression, open access, and new audiences. It’s a space where young artists, students, and independent creators can stage bold work—without censorship, hierarchy, or gatekeeping.

Kuljeet Singh’s journey from founding Atelier’s Campus Theatre Festival (ACT)—the world’s largest campus theatre festival—to establishing NDFF mirrors India’s growing hunger for alternative voices in art and storytelling.

Festival Dates & Entry Details

• Dates: 13 – 21 December 2025

• Early Bird Entries: till 8 October 2025

• Final Deadline: 13 October 2025

• Format: Open-access, multi-venue, multi-genre

Artists can apply via ndff.in, where submissions remain open for theatre, performance art, spoken word, and music theatre.

Where It All Happens

• Create Studio & Black Box Delhi (Ghitorni) – A black-box theatre and artist residency space serving as NDFF’s core hub.

• Akshara Theatre – A pillar of Delhi’s theatre heritage, partnering with NDFF to host select productions and workshops.

Together these venues embody the true fringe spirit: small spaces, big ideas.

Highlights from Season 1 ( 2024 )

The first season (22–24 Nov 2024) saw unforgettable performances like:

• “Spiral” by The Play Factory, a haunting exploration of hidden human stories.

• “The Glorious Gift of Life” by Akshara Theatre, a moving adaptation of Ken Whitmore’s play set amid the Hungarian Uprising of 1956.

The festival drew packed houses and passionate audiences, cementing its status as a game-changer for independent theatre in India.

Beyond Theatre – Cinema & Collaboration

Under the umbrella of the New Delhi Film Foundation, NDFF runs two signature initiatives:

• Make Cinema Campaign: Encouraging emerging filmmakers to create short films with social impact.

• Talk Cinema on the Floor: A monthly industry meet-up series launched in 2025 that connects directors, writers, and technicians through segments like Craft & Crew and Spotlight.

These programs blur the lines between stage and screen, making NDFF a true multi-arts platform.

Cultural Impact

By providing a home to unheard voices, NDFF is bridging the gap between India’s mainstream and independent arts communities.

It celebrates regional languages, folk forms, and modern experimental styles under one umbrella — bringing global fringe culture to Indian audiences in a deeply local way.

As Delhi prepares for its second season, the festival stands as a symbol of artistic freedom and creative democracy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1️⃣ What is the New Delhi Fringe Festival ( NDFF )?

NDFF is India’s first fringe theatre festival dedicated to alternative and experimental performing arts. Founded by Kuljeet Singh of Atelier Theatre, it gives independent artists a stage to experiment freely and connect with new audiences.

2️⃣ When and where is NDFF 2025 happening?

Season 2 runs from 13 to 21 December 2025 across Delhi venues like Create Studio & Black Box Delhi and Akshara Theatre.

3️⃣ How can artists apply to perform at NDFF 2025?

Submissions are open at ndff.in. Early-bird entries close on 8 October 2025, and the final deadline is 13 October 2025. Artists from all disciplines are welcome.

4️⃣ Why is NDFF important for Indian theatre?

It offers a rare platform for bold, experimental voices outside mainstream structures. By doing so, it encourages innovation, youth participation, and cultural diversity in the performing arts.

5️⃣ What other initiatives are linked to NDFF?

NDFF also hosts the Make Cinema Campaign and Talk Cinema on the Floor — projects that support independent filmmaking and industry dialogue.