How to Qualify from an Affiliated Festival to a Regional Final
VERY IMPORTANT – Please Read Carefully
Dancers can qualify by competing in one of the 95 affiliated festivals across the UK.
Following the ‘soft launch’ of the new marking system by the British and International Federation of Festivals (BIFF), affiliated festivals are now using different marking systems. In response to this, AED has introduced a simple ‘Q’ for Qualified.
AED recognises that each festival has its own scoring system and does not seek to alter these local practices. Adjudicators will continue to use the marking system specified by each festival, ensuring that local processes are respected. However, in order to maintain a consistent, straightforward, and easy-to-understand qualification process, only dancers who receive a ‘Q’ (Qualified) which will be awarded by an AED adjudicator will be eligible to progress to the regional final.
This approach allows more flexibility in the marking schemes and dancers achieve the mark the adjudicator believes they deserve for their performance that day.
Jacquie Brunjes, Chair of All England Dance
The Changes
The term ‘Qualifying Mark’ has been changed to ‘Minimum Mark’ Achieving the minimum mark does not automatically grant entry to the Regional Final. You must achieve both the minimum mark and a ‘Q’ (Qualified) to qualify. To qualify for the Regional Final a dance must achieve BOTH of the following:
- Minimum Mark/Band Requirement – Dances must achieve a minimum mark or band.
- ‘Q’ (Qualified) Requirement – Only dances awarded a ‘Q’ (Qualified) by the adjudicator will progress to the Regional Final.
Achieving the minimum mark/band alone does not guarantee qualification; the ‘Q’ (Qualified) mark is essential for progression. For example:- a performance achieving an 88 and/or Honours does not qualify for a Regional Final if the adjudicator does not give a ‘Q’ (Qualified).
Please see syllabus for minimum mark information.
Once you have Qualified
Entries for the Regional Finals will open on 15th September 2025 and close on 31st March 2026. Early entry is recommended although it does not guarantee where you will be assigned. AED will endeavour to send you to your nearest regional however AED reserves the right to assign you to any Regional Final in the country if necessary. AED also tries to ensure that no performance will be judged by the same adjudicator in an Affiliated festival, a Regional Final and National Final. However, this may not always be possible.
Idea for festivals
We suggest you put a sticker on your reports to make it very clear that the performance has qualified. See example sticker below. You can download the AED designed sticker here. If using digital reports a ‘Q’ (Qualified) is available for festival reports and certificates via Festival CONNECT.
Stickers are available to buy online here.
