FUTURE FOLK APPLICATIONS

Future Folk Applications for the 2026 Festival are now closed.

Stay tuned to hear about our exciting Future Folk Artist announcement soon!

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Program Information

Dreaming of performing at Port Fairy Folk Festival?

Future Folk is your chance to make it happen.

The Future Folk program is a unique artist development and performance opportunity for young musicians from south-west Victoria.

Delivered in partnership with Port Fairy Folk Festival and Moyne Shire Council, this initiative supports up to twelve emerging solo artists, duos or bands aged 12 – 25 through performance, mentorship, and industry experience.

Now in its fifth year, Future Folk also includes an exciting ongoing partnership with Queenscliff Music Festival (QMF) – providing additional performance opportunities and extending the reach of this regional talent platform.

The 2026 Future Folk Artists will embark on a program of professional development, connection building and strengthening songcraft & live performance.

The Future Folk Program provides for these artists:

Performance Opportunities

20-minute live set at Fiddlers Green during Port Fairy Folk Festival
Featured spot in the Festival Arena program
The chance to be selected for a follow-up performance at the Queenscliff Music Festival 2026

Mentorship and development

Mentoring sessions with music industry professionals
Two one-one mentoring sessions with professional artists

Paid Performance

All selected artists will be paid for their performance at Port Fairy Folk Festival

Future Folk is delivered in partnership with Port Fairy Folk Festival and Moyne Shire Council’s AMPLIFY program, with funding by the Victorian Government.