We are delighted to announce that Adjjima Na Patalung has been appointed as the new Festival Director for the Edinburgh International Children's Festival.
An internationally respected and passionate Thai theatre director, curator, and producer, with a focus on performing arts for young audiences, Adjjima will take up her new post at the beginning of November, succeeding outgoing Festival Director Noel Jordan, who is returning home to Australia.
Adjjima holds a Master’s degree in the History of Art (20th Century) from Goldsmiths, University of London, and an MFA in Theatre Directing from Middlesex University. Adjjima began her career as a theatre director in both the UK and Thailand before shifting her focus toward producing and curating.
In 2016, she founded the Bangkok International Children’s Theatre Festival (BICT Fest), Thailand’s first international festival dedicated to children’s theatre to foster creativity and cross-cultural understanding through performances, workshops, and forums. The festival, held every two years, has become a platform for international exchange and local development in the field of theatre for young audiences.
Adjjima also leads Arts on Location, an initiative established in 2009 to support artist development through international exchange and advanced theatre training. She was a curating member of Sweden’s STEP International Dance Festival for Young Audiences (2020–2024) and contributed as a guest curator in both 2020 and 2022. Since 2016, she has also been an active member of the Asian Theatre for Young Audiences Network.
Her work seeks to connect cultures and disciplines, contributing to the global dialogue around the role of theatre in young people’s lives.
Adjjima Na Patalung, incoming Festival Director said: "Taking on the role of Festival Director at the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival feels both exciting and deeply meaningful. I’ve long admired Imaginate’s bold and thoughtful work with young audiences, and it’s a true privilege to be joining an organisation so deeply committed to artistic excellence, inclusivity, and the power of live performance. I’m excited to begin this new chapter alongside such a passionate and inspiring team, with whom I share a strong sense of purpose."
Belinda McElhinney, Imaginate's Chief Executive said: "Adjjima’s commitment to work for young audiences, her care for artists, her focus on inclusivity and her collaborative international outlook represented within the BICT festival and programme of work, aligns beautifully with Imaginate’s values and purpose. We really look forward to working with Adjjima and we are excited to see her vision for the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival develop and for this new chapter in Imaginate’s story.”
Lynne Halfpenny, Imaginate's Chair of the Board said: “Replacing outgoing Festival Director Noel Jordan after his ten year tenure could have been a daunting task however we were truly delighted with the standard of applications received, literally from across the globe. Adjjima’s application demonstrated strength and depth across all the skills and experience we were seeking and we are delighted she will be joining us later this year. I very much look forward to seeing and experiencing the festival under her tenure."