EMAF 2027 Experimental FILM Open Call: Free Worldwide Entry, 2,200-Submission Early Cap
European Media Art Festival (EMAF) in Osnabrück, Germany, has opened the FILM section of its fortieth edition for worldwide experimental cinema and video-based artistic filmmaking. The cinema festival takes place 21–25 April 2027; EMAF's associated exhibition runs through 23 May. The call has an exceptional time-sensitive rule: submissions close EITHER upon reaching 2,200 eligible entries OR on 15 December 2026, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. The festival explicitly says submission is free. This article concerns the film-screening programme rather than EMAF's separate Installation and Expanded open calls, which have different work-format and thematic requirements.
What type of cinema can be submitted?
Experimental and artist-made films from filmmakers of any nationality.
No universal minimum or maximum duration; any length and subject is eligible within the film section.
Work completed in 2026 or later. Earlier finished work does not qualify for this edition.
No premiere condition: films previously screened elsewhere may be entered.
Short and medium-length works are considered for International Selection, while longer features are evaluated for the Features programme.
A complete film and viewable screener are needed; the call does not fund unfinished script development.
2,200 entries could mean a deadline long before December
The 2027 open call introduces an upper limit on total festival entries for the first time, because record submission volume made it harder to give each piece sufficient curatorial attention. Even though the nominal last date is 15 December 2026, filmmakers must submit as early as possible: a counter reaching 2,200 can close the portal without warning before that date. At the time of publication the first-party announcement confirms the cap, but the final number of entries already received is not established in this article. Do not rely on a later extension.
Filmchief submission checklist
Create a profile on the EMAF Filmchief platform and choose the FILM form, not Installation or Expanded.
Enter original, English or German film title; production country, completion month/year, runtime, presentation format, dialogue and subtitle languages.
Provide a short EN or DE synopsis within 700 characters.
Provide a direct screener preview URL and password if access is restricted; a trailer link is optional.
Upload up to three 300-dpi publicity still images, JPEG/PNG, no more than 5MB each, with photographer credits in file names.
The form also accepts an optional PDF press kit up to 5MB.
Add director, artist, production-company, producer, screenplay, music, sound design and distribution credits as relevant.
Rights, prizes and financial limits
Free submission does not automatically mean free cinema production, travel or insurance. The public 2027 film summary does not guarantee an individual cash award, screening license payment, return travel or hotel coverage to every selected filmmaker. Such terms must be confirmed with EMAF when an invitation is issued. Applicants should have cleared music synchronization, performers' releases, archive footage and film stills. In particular, the festival's film section is open to any topic, whereas the Installation programme has its own 2027 curatorial theme dealing with archives and alternative futures.
Festival history and programme significance
EMAF is a longstanding German experimental film and media arts festival now reaching its 40th edition, with a history of screening emerging moving-image practices and cross-disciplinary installations. It operates a recognised film festival selection as well as an extended exhibition and talks programme. Its own website and Filmchief application detail actual international screening sections, published dates, submission limits and contact points. This is a substantive chance to reach an experimental cinema audience, not a typical fee-based pay-to-win online certificate competition.
Official Film 2027 application and programme
EMAF official 2027 deadlines and festival dates: https://www.gc.emaf.de/en/
Direct EMAF 2027 FILM section application form: https://emaf.filmchief.com/submit-work/film-emaf-2027
EMAF 2027 Filmchief entry forms and account login: https://emaf.filmchief.com/entry-forms
Verified 24 October 2026. International and free; first of 2,200 submitted works or December 15, 2026 closes the call.