We are very proud to have been selected as a Bristol Life Awards 2026 finalist for Circus City: Bodies of Care festival programme alongside some brilliant organisations.

2025 marked the 10th anniversary and Circus City’s 6th biennial international contemporary circus festival. Presented across the month of October our festival theme was health, wellbeing and social justice with a programme of dynamic highly physical work from aerial explorations of black health care, a sensual acrobatic challenge to toxic masculinity to a bike duet about body image attended by more than 4700 people. 

Delivered by 12 courageous freelancers, 32 volunteers and 11 partner venues, the festival spanned 22 days and included 34 events and performances by 64 incredible artists from 13 countries. 

Our audience feedback painted a picture of a highly impactful, deeply meaningful, and artistically exceptional festival, with shows frequently described as ‘beautiful’, ‘powerful’, ‘captivating’, and ‘unique’.  Audiences valued the bravery, emotional honesty, and technical mastery across the programme. They felt ‘moved’, ‘inspired’, and ‘connected’—many stating it was among the best work they have ever seen. The festival itself was perceived as ‘well-organised’, ‘ inclusive’, ‘culturally important’, and a rare opportunity to see a diverse range of high-quality contemporary circus:

• 100% agreed the show they saw was well presented describing them as “Exceptional. The best circus show I have seen in many a moon” and “I killed a man was one of the most beautiful pieces of art I have witnessed”
• 99% agreed the show they saw was distinctive and different from what they had seen before: “Brilliant, mad, bonkers, unique, utterly fabulous madness”
• 100% agreed it was captivating and held their attention: “very thought provoking experience, the mix of pleasure, pain, and play was very captivating”
• 99% agreed the work they saw as challenging or thought provoking: “It made me feel things! Scared, shocked, impressed. It was visceral”
• 88% rated the show they saw as relevant with something to say about the world they live in: “absolutely loved the show. Exploring women’s issues with intelligence and beauty”.
• 100% told us they would come and see similar shows in the future: “Armour” was so touching, powerful and unique, I have never seen anything like it and I felt so privileged to see it live”

Winners will be announced on Thursday 26th March at the Bristol Life Awards. Wish us luck!