PortFringe

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About

PortFringe is Maine’s annual Fringe Festival, celebrating creative expression, artistic activism, and cultural connections. Since its launch in 2012, PortFringe has grown from a scrappy, five-day festival into a staple of Portland’s vibrant arts scene. Each year, the festival welcomes artists from across the region and beyond to present innovative, genre-defying performances that push artistic boundaries and challenge audiences.

For its thirteenth year, PortFringe is expanding its festival to include more shows and long-form performances, bringing back the excitement of extended storytelling. The 2025 festival also marks the return of touring national and international artists, reinforcing PortFringe’s commitment to connecting local artists with the larger global Fringe movement.

As part of its ongoing efforts to increase diversity and representation, PortFringe will allocate up to 50% of its festival slots to artists who identify as BiPoC, trans, or physically disabled. This initiative ensures a broader range of voices and stories are represented, without excluding any other artists. Every applicant will have the opportunity to participate, with the festival striving for a balance that reflects the richness and diversity of the creative community.

Beyond the festival itself, PortFringe remains active year-round, participating in community events, supporting past festival artists, and engaging with Fringe organizations worldwide. Through partnerships with World Fringe Network, the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals (CAFF), and the United States Association of Fringe Festivals (USAFF), PortFringe remains deeply connected to the larger global Fringe community.

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Submission Requirements

PortFringe follows an open-access, lottery-based selection process for short format shows. Late night audience experiences are curated by the festival committee.

1. Apply online. Applications open January 1 and close January 31. Artists must complete the online form and submit the $25 application fee.
2. Lottery and selection. Short format shows are chosen by random lottery, with results announced by February 15. Late night audience experiences are reviewed and selected by the PortFringe Committee, with decisions announced by February 15.
3. Pay the production fee. Accepted artists must submit their $175 production fee by March 1 to secure their place in the festival.
4. Festival announcements. The official PortFringe 2025 lineup will be announced to the public on April 6.
5. Perform at PortFringe. The festival takes place June 24–30, 2025 in Portland, Maine.

PortFringe encourages artists to bring new and experimental work to the festival. Artists must commit to fully participating in the festival community by attending social events, seeing other performances, and engaging with fellow artists.

For the 2025 festival, applications are open to both local and touring artists. However, local artists remain the heart of PortFringe, and performers should be prepared to fully immerse themselves in the festival experience rather than simply presenting a show and leaving.

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Finances

PortFringe is committed to making participation affordable while maintaining a high-quality festival experience. There are two primary fees associated with applying:

• Application Fee: $25 (non-refundable)
• Production Fee: $175 (only due if accepted into the festival)

These fees help cover festival expenses such as venue rentals, technical equipment, marketing, box office operations, and festival guide printing. PortFringe also receives support from sponsors, donors, and proceeds from its annual POP-UP PortFringe fundraiser.

If an artist experiences financial hardship, installment payment plans are available upon request. Artists in need of financial assistance should contact PortFringe to explore alternative options.

Box office returns depend on the format of the show. Short format shows, which are paired with another performance, will share 100% of the revenue. Late night audience experiences, which are presented as standalone events in bar and restaurant settings, allow artists to keep 100% of their ticket sales. PortFringe does not take a percentage of ticket sales, ensuring that artists retain all of their box office earnings.