MELA PARTNERSHIPS FILM - Interviews

MELA PARTNERSHIPS FILM | 2026 The National Mela Partnership came together at the Birmingham Hippodrome for a landmark gathering. More than 15 partners from across the country took part, including policymakers, stakeholders, artists and producers. In this film, we hear directly from the people behind the partnership as they share why they came together, what the network means to them, and where they hope it goes next. What began as a network of melas has grown into something much broader. Today, the partnership brings together festivals and organisations united by shared values: events that are intergenerational, rooted in their local communities, free to attend, and held in public spaces that are open to all. Through their own words, partners reflect on the importance of bringing people together in person, the role festivals play in the life of their towns and cities, and the need to support cultural events in parts of the country that have historically been underserved by public funding. Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, voices and ideas, and to all who joined us in Birmingham to help shape the future of free, public festivals across the UK. 📍 Birmingham Hippodrome 🎪 National Mela Partnership Meeting 2026 #Mela #MelaPartnerships #Festivals #FreeFestivals #OutdoorArts #CommunityArts #BirminghamHippodrome #CulturalPartnerships #ArtsForAll