Tsz Yan Monica Wat: Early Career Promoter Fund
Bio: The annual UK East & South East Asian (ESEA) multi-arts festival MOON FEST, known for its lively blend of music performances, short film screenings and art & food stalls is back and bigger than ever, with stops in both Bristol and London in October 2025! Founded by Hong Kong-born, UK-based creative director & singer-songwriter Monica Wat, the non-profit creative & cultural agency Made on the Moon has been producing the first-of-its-kind festival MOON FEST since 2022. The festival was born out of Monica’s desire to champion more diverse creative talent in the East & South East Asian communities in the UK. Having experienced racism, microaggressions and ignorance in the creative and music scenes herself, Monica found it more important than ever to foster a safe yet open space for ESEA creatives to shine while connecting with wider audiences. The event MOON FEST then came to life, both inspired by ESEA moon-themed folklore and the vibrant contemporary landscape of ESEA artists in the UK. The first MOON FEST took place in Bristol to overwhelmingly enthusiastic response – welcoming over 150 people at the landmark gallery Arnolfini’s theatre, as well as being featured by the BBC, Bristol Live, The Bristol Magazine and more. MOON FEST has since become an annual festival, with Made on the Moon producing projects for organisations like the Bristol Museums, Watershed, the Bristol City Council, Rotary Club and more. MOON FEST will continue to take on an open call approach to welcome fresh ESEA artists and enhance its accessibility and inclusion. Thanks to the Early Career Promoter Fund, MOON FEST will now embark on a new chapter – growing as a multi-city festival with stops in London and Bristol for the first time ever.
Concise Description of activity: MOON FEST tour, expanding my East & South East Asian festival with music as a main focus in Bristol & London in October 2025.
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