Giovanna Fletcher to Appear at Falmouth International Arts Festival 2026

Falmouth International Arts Festival is set to return next week with a packed four day programme, and organisers have now confirmed that Giovanna Fletcher will be joining the line up.

Falmouth International Arts Festival, known as FIAfest, runs from Thursday 5th March to Sunday 8th March 2026. Alongside the festival, the Made-in-Cornwall Showcase Summit will take place on 5th and 6th March, bringing together artists, producers and industry leaders from across the region and beyond.

Giovanna Fletcher Joins Made-in-Cornwall Summit

The imPOSSIBLE Producing team behind the summit has announced that actress, author, podcaster and presenter Giovanna Fletcher will appear as part of the programme.

Giovanna is partnering with Creative UK for a special industry fireside chat at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall. She will also perform as one of the actors in imPOSSIBLE Producing’s Half Baked New Writing event.

She joins a cast that includes Arthur Darvill, Mary Woodvine and Jill Greenacre, alongside graduates from Falmouth University and Hall For Cornwall’s Youth Company. Directors and writers involved in the Half Baked Showcase include Simon Harvey, Carl Grose and Agnieska Blonska.

The Made-in-Cornwall Summit, supported by Creative UK and Cornwall Transfers and Tours, showcases new work by local and South West artists developed through the imPOSSIBLE Ideas Studio. A number of performances will be open to the public as part of FIAfest, including In My Head by Emily Alden and Sad Bride, created by Charlotte Merriam and Charlotte Vickers.

National industry figures will also take part in discussions across the two day programme. West End director Matthew Dunster will lead conversations focused on how ambitious theatre and immersive experiences can be realised in challenging economic times. The festival’s official accommodation partner, The Falmouth, will host several guests.

A Packed Festival Programme

FIAfest 2026 includes a wide range of theatre, comedy, music and live performance.

Highlights include a Rewind Party with 90s fitness icon Mr Motivator, comedy from Sarah Keyworth, and an immersive experience from Belgian theatre company Ontroerend Goed.

Other events include Seamus Carey’s Community Service on Thursday 5th March. In just 50 minutes, Seamus and will attempt to build a brand-new community from scratch with his audience.

On Friday 6th March, Temi Wilkey brings her show Main Character Energy to Falmouth, described as a high camp cocktail of comedy and cabaret.

On the morning of Saturday 7th March, BAFTA award-winning screenwriter Helen Serafinowicz will join theatre and film director Lisa Forrell for a conversation about their work and creative inspirations.

That evening, Mr Motivator headlines with Rewind, featuring classic hits from the 60s through to the 90s.

Sunday 8th March, which is International Women’s Day, begins with the FIAfest Frolic, a free sea exercise class on Gyllyngvase Beach delivered by Longe Cote UK and supported by KILN sauna and Gylly Beach Café. Later that day, Kate Doran, also known as Flotsam Flo, will give a talk at the Falmouth Hotel. The festival closes with Figs in Wigs bringing their Astrology Bingo to Princess Pavilion.

📷Arthur Darvill - Credit: Michael Shelford

Showcasing Cornwall’s Creative Talent

Penryn-based imPOSSIBLE Producing launched FIAfest in 2022 with a town wide outdoor spectacular that attracted more than 10,000 audience members.

The festival is curated by Creative Directors Gabby Vautier and Charlie Bunker.

Gabby said, “FIAfest is a platform through which we can showcase the incredible Cornwall-based artists we’ve been working with through our imPOSSIBLE ‘Made-in-Cornwall’ programmes. We pepper that with national and international acts, all of which bring something different to Cornwall.”

Charlie adds, “There’s something for everyone – heavy subjects like race and gender are tackled through brilliant, accessible performances, and of course, our Saturday Spectacular with Mr Motivator is a chance to get your mates together and your neon on for the ultimate party night.

“Cornwall has a vibrant creative sector and a rich pool of incredible talent. This festival is all about showing what we have to offer, and thanks to low ticket prices, it’s also about inspiring local audiences – giving people the opportunity to see acts they might never usually take a chance on.”

The project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with Cornwall Council managing the programme locally. FIAfest is also supported by Falmouth Business Improvement District as part of Falmouth CREATES.

Keren Cooksey said, “We are delighted to continue our support of FIAfest into 2026. Through our BID business plan, we aim to deliver year-round social and economic benefits for the town, including our Falmouth Creates initiative which FIAfest plays a key role in. The festival brings incredible creative energy, attracts new visitors, and provides an important platform for local talent, helping to strengthen Falmouth’s reputation as a vibrant, culturally dynamic destination.”

Full programme details and tickets are available at the FIAfest website.