About YIF

The Youth Infringement Festival (YIF) was started in 1998 by Kinnon Elliott and Emily Pearlman, two high school students who wanted to create an opportunity for creative expression under the guidance of professional mentors. In 2013, a board of directors was formed composed of former festival participants and producers. In the festival’s 25 years, it has always been run entirely by young people. It has produced over 150 new plays by writers under 25, spawned the creation of multiple award winning local independent companies, and include such alumni as Governor General Award winning playwright Jordan Tannahill and Giller Prize winning novelist Sean Michaels.

Mandate

Youth Infringement Festival is an open access performing arts festival for Ottawa youth ages 16 to 25 to develop and produce original work. We provide opportunities for artistic and personal growth through practical experience, collaboration, and mentorship.

Values

Youth Leadership: Youth art has its own voice and deserves a platform where their diverse voices are valued

Practical experience: Youth need an opportunity to risk, play, and learn with each other in a process based on a professional model

Mentorship: A key partnership to the artistic development of the next generation

Open access opportunity: Festival is open with no prerequisites and no cost to entry

YIF’s Annual General Meeting will take place on May 4th, 2023 via Zoom. To join us, just fill out our registration form