In the 2017 edition, the Festival invited applications through an international open call in addition to the local one for the first time. The festival’s international reputation grew higher under the leadership of Artistic Director Charalambia Theophanous. The Festival hosted durational outdoor performances for the first time at historical landmarks of Nicosia e.g. Selimiye Square and Phanoremeni Square. This was also the first edition when Buffer Fringe emphasized works in progress by offering an award for a local performance in development, presented at the festival.
Buffer Fringe 2017-2018 received international recognition from the European Festivals Association with the “Remarkable Festival” label and run as a laureate for the EFFE (Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe) award. Locally, it was supported by the Stelios Award from the Stelios Foundation, with the concept “Buffer Fringe on Tour”.