Central European Independent Festivals Award - CEIFA
Celebrating the Spirit of Independent Festivals in Central Europe
For the second time, Waves Vienna will present the Central European Indie Festivals Award (CEIFA) – honoring outstanding independent music festivals from the region. The award includes a cash prize of €1,500 and advertising support worth €7,000 in our partner magazine The Gap.
In the picture above you can see the winners of 2025:
1. Place: Fraj (SK)
2. Place Habrovka (CZ)
3. Place Kunstmue (AT)
Eligible for nomination are music festivals from Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic that meet the following criteria:
- A total audience capacity of less than 3,000 during the festival weekend
- Independent organization, meaning the festival is not hosted by a major corporation or public institution
- An open, diverse, and forward-thinking artistic vision
- Scheduled to take place at least once anytime in 2025 or 2026
There are no restrictions regarding musical genres. The voting process will be primarily promoted through Waves Vienna's network and media partners, reaching a target audience closely aligned with the festival’s spirit.
Award Process
1. Nomination Phase
Festivals can apply via our online form until July 10, 2026. All eligible entries will be published at the end of the nomination phase.
2. Public Voting
From July 10 to August 20, 2026, fans and audiences can vote for their favorite festival through our website.
3. Jury Selection
The top 5 festivals from the public vote will be evaluated by an independent jury.
4. Award Ceremony
The winners will be announced and celebrated during Waves Vienna on Saturday, October 3, 2026, starting at 7:30 PM at Albert Hall (Conference Venue), Vienna.
Prizes
- 1st Place: €1,500 in cash + 2 full-page ads in The Gap (worth €7,000)
- 2nd & 3rd Place: Each receives 1 full-page ad in The Gap (each worth €3,500)
- All Top 5 festivals will be invited to send one representative to Vienna for the award ceremony – including one hotel night and a Waves Vienna festival pass.
Click here to enter the nomination process.
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