Manila Improv Festival Returns with Over 70 Improv Groups This March
The Manila Improv Festival (MIF), Asia’s largest festival for improvisational theater and comedy, returns for its seventh edition from March 25 to 29, 2026 at The Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati.
Founded in 2015 by SPIT Manila and its training arm Third World Improv, the festival has built a growing following among local and international improvisers, enthusiasts, and fans. In recent years, improv comedy has also broken into mainstream media through the popularity of SPIT Manila and other improv groups on social media. The festival aims to make improvisation more accessible to a wider and more diverse audience.
The 2026 Manila Improv Festival is produced by Sanghimig Performing Arts and Travel Consultancy in association with SPIT Manila, and in partnership with Rockwell Center’s The Proscenium Theater.
“We are very excited to be part of this year’s Manila Improv Festival,” said Irvinne Redor, MIF 2026 Festival Director and Producer. “Sanghimig is a firm believer in creating experiences that build and strengthen creative communities across borders. It’s a privilege for us to help shape this global meeting point for improvisers while also providing a platform to showcase Filipino talent in the performing arts.”
With the theme “Rise to the Moment,” this year’s festival will feature over 70 improv groups from the Philippines and more than 20 countries.
SPIT Manila, together with Galaw.Co Dance Theater and Drum Circle PH, will open the festival on March 25 at the Proscenium Main Stage. Throughout the week, Filipino improv groups such as Housekeeping Improv, Noted with Thanks, Isprikitik Improv, and Buwan ng Wika Improv will also perform at the Proscenium Black Box Theater and other venues across the Rockwell complex.
Notable international groups performing at MIF 2026 include Oshow (Japan), Landry and Summers (United States), Formosa Improv Group (Taiwan), Beijing Improv (China), Improv Lore (India), The Joy Riders (Australia), Imfrog (South Korea), and Les Musicables (Singapore).
The festival will also feature over 30 improv workshops across various venues in Makati, facilitated by local and international improvisers and covering a wide range of improvisational theater and applied improv topics.
“For most improvisers, the art form is so close to their heart – almost like home,” said Karl Echaluse, MIF 2026 Artistic Director. “That’s why we’re so excited to host again this year’s Manila Improv Festival as we get to experience our ‘home’ as well as bring together our improviser friends from all over the world and share our art here to Filipino audiences.”
MIF was last held in 2023 at Ayala Malls Circuit Makati.
Show tickets and limited workshop passes are currently on-sale at manilaimprovfestival.com/tickets. To be updated about the groups and schedules during MIF 2026, follow Manila Improv Festival on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
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