EAF invites audiences to gather around our 22nd edition, unfolding in venues across the city 

At our new home in Leith, a trio of alternative archives and queer histories: never before seen Edinburgh works from iconic dyke photographer Del LaGrace Volcano; the first Scottish showing of Japanese fetish paintings by Sadao Hasegawa; an ode to documenting and continuing trans history through collecting from Trans Masc Studies. The programme spreads across creative spaces at Custom Lane, gathering spot Brown’s of Leith, and, most excitingly: EAF’s new permanent space at 92 Constitution Street.

Across the city, installations create space for alternative histories and presents. Looking over the city, a reimagined relic by sculptor Emii Alrai reflects on Edinburgh’s colonial history. At the Palestine Museum, the Palestinian Sound Archive is a living, breathing archive of cassettes, reel and vinyl records from Palestine and beyond from Majazz Project. 

EAF’s varied programme of performance and live events each create unique opportunities to engage: transforming unexpected venues across the city with the best of interdisciplinary performance, thought-provoking conversation, and a chance to gather and reflect on our present moment.

Throughout the festival, Leith becomes the centre of a network of experimentation. In the heart of the post-industrial Biscuit Factory, the festival opens with a rhythmic rise and fall of dance and violin, with Magnus Westwell’s developing work Caught Hold of Nothing — before kicking off into a buzzing launch party, soundtracked by queer rapper and poet Mykki Blanco. Lawrence Abu Hamdan is set to close out the festival with performance Zifzafa: transforming the imposed noise of Syrian occupation into an act of resistance.

Jupiter Rising returns to Jupiter Artland’s magical landscape for another year, with another night of art-drenched chaos and late night dancing — this year programmed by vibrant artist and Rising fan favourite Sgàire Wood. In the development process, PLATFORM artists Moira Salt and Olivia Priya Foster will share the inner workings of their creative practices — a preview of what is to come in 2027.

Deepening our ongoing collaboration, EAF has partnered with Falastin Film Festival to fill our closing weekend with a dedicated focus on Palestinian and Lebanese artists and filmmakers. With a programme of sound, film, and conversation, the co-programmed final weekend presents creation as a vital act of witness and solidarity. 

As we get closer to the festival, stay tuned for a programme of artist talks, tours, and gatherings, diving deeper into the histories and processes behind the work — connecting the wisdom of the archive to the urgency of the present day. 

Full ticket onsale + online launch: 28 May