International Jury
of "Magical Arena 2026"

One of the key features of the second "Magical Arena 2026" All-Ukrainian Circus Festival was the participation of an international jury, unprecedented in its professional caliber. The panel comprised representatives from the most renowned circus festivals, production companies, casting directors, and experts who currently shape the global circus industry.

For the young artists, this was much more than just an opportunity to perform in front of a professional jury. It was a chance to be noticed by people who discover new names every day, invite artists to international shows, and help talented performers launch their careers on the world stage.

Founder and Director of the International Circus Festival of Italy — one of the most prestigious circus art festivals in Europe.

The festival led by Fabio Montico annually gathers the world's best young artists and serves as a vital platform for professional growth. It is here that many performers, who later became stars of the global circus world, achieved their first major international victories.

Last year, participants of the "Magical Arena" already represented Ukraine at this festival and won award-winning places, providing further confirmation of the high standards of the Ukrainian circus school. (Read more in another article on our website)

Producer and Founder of Starlight Production and Showbusiness.

For many years, Adans Peres has worked with artists across various genres, helping them reach an international level, participate in world festivals, and secure professional contracts. His awards traditionally represent not only a token of recognition but also the beginning of new opportunities for young performers.

Casting Director and Team Member of America’s Got Talent.

Thousands of talents from all corners of the world pass through auditions managed by Renee Massie. Her experience helps identify artists capable of conquering the biggest television talent shows. For the festival participants, connecting with such a specialist offered a unique opportunity to showcase their potential on an international scale.

Director of the International Circus Festival of Albacete.

The festival in Albacete is one of Europe's important platforms for the development of young circus artists. It discovers new talent and unites skilled performers from different countries, creating opportunities for international collaboration and professional growth.

Notably, this year several "Magical Arena" participants received invitations to the international casting selection for the Albacete festival.

Representative of the legendary Circus Vargas.

Circus Vargas is one of the most famous traveling circuses in the United States of America, boasting a rich history and a stellar international reputation. Its performances attract hundreds of thousands of spectators each year, and the participation of a representative from such a circus in the festival served as an important sign of trust in Ukrainian artists.

World-renowned juggler and representative of Kee Production.

Viktor Kee is one of the most prominent contemporary jugglers in the world. His signature style, blending movement, theatre, and technical mastery, has made his performances recognizable far beyond the boundaries of traditional circus arts.

Today, he actively supports young performers and helps discover new talent.

Casting Specialist at Cirque du Soleil.

One of the key talent acquisition specialists for the world-famous brand Cirque du Soleil. It is specialists like her who help find the performers who eventually take part in the most grand-scale circus productions worldwide.

Her presence at the festival offered further confirmation that young Ukrainian artists can be noticed by representatives of the world's leading companies today.

Show Director and Producer of international projects.

Sandor Donnert has spent many years creating large-scale international circus productions. He understands exactly how individual acts come together to form a cohesive, spectacular show; thus, he evaluated not only the participants' technical skills but also their artistry, direction, and stage presentation.

Representative of the legendary Circus Roncalli.

Circus Roncalli has long been a symbol of modern European circus art, harmoniously combining classical traditions with contemporary technologies and theatrical aesthetics. The representative of this world-renowned circus also joined in evaluating the participants and presented special festival awards.

The participation of such experts turned "Magical Arena" into much more than a national competition. For many participants, the festival became the first step toward an international career.

It was the jury members themselves who presented special awards and invited selected artists to participate in international festivals, castings, talent shows, and professional projects. This once again confirms the main mission of the festival — not only to evaluate the children's talent but to help them find their path on the world stage.

"Magical Arena" continues to build an international bridge for young Ukrainian artists, opening up new opportunities, professional connections, and future perspectives.