Announcing C3 Festivals 2026: Islington teenagers lead the way in three days of youth-made art

Photography: Alicia Clarke

Thursday 9 - Saturday 11 April 2025

Company Three’s annual festival returns 9–11 April, championing youth creativity and culture to create change.

‘At Company Three, our creativity and ideas are not only recognised but are acted upon and we're excited to share them with you at C3 Festivals.’

C3 member

C3 Festivals brings together co-created plays, films, podcasts, and partnerships with London-based arts organisations. It’s a rare chance to hear directly from the young people who live, study, and grow up in Islington - and to see the borough through their eyes.

This April, teenagers from Islington and beyond will present first‑draft works across an expanded range of art forms, including monologues, short films, devised plays, dance pieces and more. 

From everyday life as a teenager in Islington to imagined futures, C3 Festivals showcases original work that connects the voices of young people with an audience. Exploring thought-provoking themes - from consumerism and gaslighting to unspoken social codes, villain arcs and imagining the final 24 hours on Earth - these performances offer local teenagers’ perspectives on the world today.

‘We are always thinking about how we can deepen our work with local young people, and ensure their stories and voices are heard by the people who matter most to them. That’s why we’ve decided to platform different forms and give space for different organisations and new young people to share at C3 Festivals 2026.’

Nuna Sandy, Company Three’s Artistic Director and CEO

Local partnerships at the heart of the festival

The festival will feature new work created as a part of our schools projects.  Our ‘Deep Dives’, Company Three’s 10-12 week embedded programme at local secondary schools, will bring a brand new play from St. Aloysius and a selection of co-created short films from Beacon High School. We will also feature a brand new youth-made podcast from our Who, Me? project at Islington primary schools. 

For the first time, C3 Festivals welcomes special guests from London-based arts organisations  ZooNation and Write Back through the new Festivals Exchange. After working closely with Company Three artists and young people, both partners will present original response pieces, co-created dance and poetry inspired by the themes explored in this year’s festival.

Button to book

‘People should come and watch shows from Company Three because the ideas that the young people have remind you of what it’s like to be a young person… and make you realise that these kids are in us, just a few years ago.’

Cllr Anjna Khurana, Mayor of Islington (2024–25)