Resources
Engaging an Adjudicator
A useful guide on how to formally engage the services of an adjudicator at your festival. Contains links to a template Adjudicator Letter of Engagement and template Adjudicator Contract.
Equal Opportunities Policy Statement
This document outlines BIFF's policy on equal opportunities.
GDPR - A Guide for Festivals
An overview of GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in a festival context with steps to take to ensure your festival is GDPR compliant
Good ideas from Festivals - Nancy Litten
This document outlines some best practice, useful information and good ideas collected from festivals.
Guidelines for Online/Virtual Festivals and Adjudication
Issue 3 updated 21st April 2021.
Guidelines for Recording Adjudications at Virtual Festivals
Guidelines for sharing recorded adjudications at virtual festivals.
Handling difficult conversations
John Walker from Peninsula Training shares ideas for using assertive communication, managing difficult conversations and techniques for dealing with conflict.
Health & Safety Policy
This document outlines BIFF's policy on Health & Safety
How To Manage Festival Entries
A helpful guide to planning and managing entries to your festival
How to Programme A Festival
A handy guide of areas to consider when planning your festival programme.
How To Steward A Festival
A useful guide to stewarding a festival including the different stewards and their role in running a successful event.
Insurance Product Information Document 2024
An overview of the coverage offered by the 2024 Festival Liability and Loss of Money insurance package.
Insurance Product Information Document 2025
An overview of the coverage offered by the 2025 Festival Liability and Loss of Money insurance package.
Investments for Festivals
A introductory guide to investments for your festival
Leaflet - Festival Child Protection
Child protection information for staff and volunteers working at Federation Festival events. This leaflet provides an overview of child protection and your broad responsibilities. It is not intended to replace the need for staff and volunteers to know the relevant policies and procedures.
Leaflet - Safe Working Practice
This is an introductory leaflet to help establish the safest possible working environments for our staff and volunteers in their work with children and young people at our Festivals. We aim to protect children and young people, and to guard against misinterpretation of behaviours and/or unfounded allegations.
Long Service Awards Nomination Form
Long Service Awards Nomination Form for Festivals to acknowledge volunteer service to the festival movement. You can also apply and pay for a Long Service Award online at https://www.federationoffestivals.org.uk/long-service-awards-nomination-form
Managing Accompanists at Festivals
A useful guide to working with accompanists at your festival.
Marketing, Recruitment & Managing Change
An introduction to festival marketing strategies. This covers identifying and reaching your audience, communication, website design and content, social media presence, press and print.
Marking Schemes - Final version for consultation
Following feedback from adjudicators and festivals over a number years, the Adjudicators Council has been working to update the BIFF Marking Schemes and are delighted to be able to share these initial proposals with you.
Music Session - Sounds Contemporary - Joanna Walling
Rock and Pop Specialist, Joanna Walling outlines how we can maximise entries for rock and pop and how to ensure that adjudication is the same quality as it is in other genres.
New BIFF marking scheme guidance
This presentation gives an overview of how to use the new BIFF marking scheme.
New Marking Scheme support and training session recordings
Watch our online information sessions to find out more about the new BIFF marking scheme which is being rolled out from the 1st April 2024.
NNCEE - A Guide to Child Performance Licensing (2020)
The National Network for Children in Entertainment and Employment's (NNCEE) Guide to child performance licensing.
Online Meetings & Governing Documents
Guidance and advice in relation to updating governing bodies, specifically in relation to allowing online meetings.
Online Safety Policy
This is BIFF's policy on online safety.
Photography & Filming at Festivals
A guide to good practice when managing photography and filming at your festival.
Policy on the handling and storage of information
Personalise this for your organisation and pass it on to anyone who is being DBS checked. This is to inform them of what happens to their private information and they must receive a copy of this document from you.
Policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders
BIFF's policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders
Policy on the Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders
Personalise this document for your festival. You need to have a policy and a copy must be passed to anyone you are DBS checking. They have a right to know what you will do if information comes back on their form and you have to make a decision whether to employ them or not. This also applies to volunteers.