Sydney Festival has announced that Kris Nelson will take over the reins as its Artistic Director from 2026 to 2029, guiding the city’s largest cultural event through its landmark 50th edition.
Kris Nelson. Photo © Tyler Kelly
Nelson, a Canadian national currently based in London, is well-known for his transformative work as the Artistic Director and CEO of the London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT). Under his direction, LIFT has gained a reputation for staging daring contemporary theatre productions, including The Second Woman, a 24-hour theatrical event by Australian creators Randall and Breckon, and the experimental indoor opera Sun & Sea, which was a highlight of the 2023 Sydney Festival.
Sydney Festival Chair, Kate Dundas, said: “Kris’s impressive leadership at LIFT, alongside his vast international experience, makes him an exceptional fit for Sydney Festival. His innovative approach to programming, commitment to diverse voices, and deep understanding of both artists and audiences will ensure that Sydney Festival continues to thrive as a dynamic and inspiring cultural event.”
Nelson’s appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for the festival. “Becoming Festival Director of Sydney Festival is a tremendous opportunity,” he said. “I love Sydney Festival’s DNA – it’s truly one of the world’s greats. It’s a festival that originates new ideas and ways of seeing the world as it shares powerful, daring and joyful performing arts with audiences across the city.”
Nelson’s journey to Sydney follows more than a decade spent working in the UK and Ireland, where he helmed some of the most influential cultural festivals in Europe. Before his tenure at LIFT, he directed the Dublin Fringe Festival from 2013 to 2017, where he pioneered new works and supported the careers of many emerging artists.
Earlier in his career, Nelson was a driving force in Canadian theatre, founding the Montreal-based touring agency Antonym Productions, which championed experimental performances and facilitated international touring for Canadian artists.
Current Festival Director Olivia Ansell will present her final program for the 2025 edition later this year, before she moves to Canada to helm Toronto’s Luminato Festival.
The full program for the 2025 Sydney Festival, curated by Ansell, will be unveiled on 30 October 2024, with highlights already announced including the world premiere of Siegfried & Roy: The Unauthorised Opera, a one-off performance from Rufus Wainwright, and the Sydney debut of US singer-songwriter Jalen Ngonda.
