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RULES & REGULATIONS

Entry Requirements & Eligibility

  1. International Arts Festival (IAF) is open to dancers of all nationalities of all ages.

  2. A participant’s age is determined as of 1 January of the competition year.

  3. For duo, trio, ensemble, and group dance categories, the age of the oldest participant determines the group’s age category.

  4. Participants may enter representing a school or as independent students without school affiliation.

  5. Competition Entries

  • Participants may enter multiple dance genres.

  • Participants may register for competitions ranging from solo, duo, trio, ensemble, to group dances.

  • Participants performing multiple items must not repeat the same routine.

  • Each participant must strictly compete within their age group.

  • Second Solo Section:

    • Participants may perform a second solo within the same age group and genre under this section.

    • The Second Solo Section will have its own awards.

  6. In the event of a schedule clash due to multiple entries, email the organizers before the competition starts. No changes will be accepted after the competition begins.

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Registration

  • IAF reserves the right to deny any registration at its discretion. 

  • Applicants will be disqualified should there be any false information filled in the entry forms.

  • Entries are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Registrations will close when the competition has reached its maximum capacity or by the dates below, whichever comes first. 

    • Registration deadline:​

      • IAF Online - 15 July 2026

      • IAF Malaysia - 18 July 2026

      • IAF Thailand - 9 August 2026

      • IAF Singapore - 20 September 2026

  • All registered information changes must be received no later than six weeks before the competition. 

  • Changes of registered information will incur an administrative fee of $80 and may not be reflected in the competition programme booklet.

  • Registration is only confirmed upon receipt of payment.​​​

  • All registration and final fees are non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances.

  • Registration fees: (all registration fees are in Singapore dollars.)

    • Solo:  SGD$ 170

    • Duo: SGD$ 200

    • Trio: SGD$ 210

    • Ensemble: SGD$ 45 per dancer

    • Group: SGD$ 35 per dancer

  • IAF International Grand Final Fee:

    • Solo: SGD$ 150

    • Duo: SGD$ 180

    • Trio: SGD$ 195

    • Ensemble: SGD$ 40 per dancer 

    • Group: SGD$ 30 per dancer

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Criteria (For solo, duo, trio, ensemble, and group dance)

Classical Ballet

  • Ballet solo participants can perform either classical repertoire variation or choreographed solo.

  • Ballet solo participants may choose to perform in pointe shoes or soft ballet shoes. There will be no additional marks awarded for candidates who perform in pointe shoes.
    IAF encourages all candidates to practice safe and correct technique when performing in pointe shoes.

  • Ballet participants will be judged based on ballet technique, performance, and musicality. (For solo, duo, trio, ensemble, and group dance)

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Contemporary​​

  • Contemporary participants will be judged based on contemporary technique (including floor work, control, and, off-balance, and use of spine), performance, and musicality.
    (For solo, duo, trio, ensemble, and group dance)

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Jazz

  • Jazz participants will be judged based on technique (including sharp movements, isolations, turns, leaps, kicks, and flexibility), energy and dynamics (power, speed, and stylistic attack), as well as performance and stage presence, including audience engagement.

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Lyrical

  • Lyrical participants will be judged based on technique (including control, extensions, and seamless transitions), expression (emotional connection and storytelling), and musicality (interpretation of the music’s mood and dynamics).
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Cultural Dance

  • Participants are required to perform a type of dance that is an expression of a past or present culture. These include, but are not limited to, Chinese dances, Malay dances,
    Indian dances, Mazurka, Spanish dances, etc.

  • Participants will be judged based on technique, performance, and musicality.

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Any Genre

  • ​For any dance genres, including, but not limited to Hip-Hop, Street Dance etc. Genres that require live sound recordings, such as tap dancing, song and dance, are not accepted.

  • Participants will be judged based on technique, performance, and musicality.

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Duo, Trio, Ensemble & Group dance

  • Participants will be judged based on unified technique, synchronized performance, musicality and formation change as a group.

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For all genres and segments

  • Props

    • IAF allows props that can be carried by one person (only for physical competition).

    • Props that require cleaning are not allowed. For example, flower petals etc. (only for physical competition）

  • Maximum duration

    • Solo: 2.5 minutes

    • Duo : 3 minutes

    • Trio : 3 minutes

    • Ensemble: 5 minutes (4 -10 participants)

    • Group: 5 minutes (11 or more participants)

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Scoring & Certification​

  • The final score for each participant/dance is the average of scores given by the jury.

  • A jury member who is associated with any participant or school will be exempted from giving marks to the participant(s).

  • All physical competition participants will be awarded with hard copy certificates, medals, and trophies.

  • Participants of online competition will be awarded with e-certificates only.

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Consent

Participants’ parents and schools are deemed to agree that the solo performance video involving your child/student will be viewed by the SDA jury members, as well as the faculty members of the schools/companies of the jury members and scholarship providers.​

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Announcement of IAF Competition results

  • The results of the competition will be announced on the IAF website and social media.

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Photography & Recordings​

  • SDA reserves the right to take photographs and videos at any time throughout the competition. This includes, but is not limited to, master classes, rehearsals or performances during the competition, or any activities in the competition arena.

  • SDA owns the right to all photographs and videos taken throughout the course of the competition.

  • Participants or their parents/legal guardians give their permission for SDA, their sponsors and/or authorized third parties to use such photographs and videos for promotional and commercial purposes.

  • Photography and video recording by the audience during physical competition is strictly not permitted.

  • SDA reserves the right to disqualify competitors if they were to take photos and videos during the competition.

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Health & Safety

  • Participants agree to indemnify SDA & IAF from any legal action and/or cost resulting from any physical injury, illness or damage, and mental stress sustained during any activity related to the competition.

  • Participants outside of Singapore are to adhere to your own country's safe measurement advisories in the process of video recording.

  • The above are subject to change according to local Government safe measurement guidelines. 

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Others​

  • SDA reserves the right to make amendments to the Rules and Regulations without prior notice.

  • Failure to comply with the IAF rules and regulations will lead to disqualification.

  • Registration constitutes acceptance of the Rules and Regulations.

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