Playful Obscura 2027: Africa-Based Game Artists Invited to Addis Ababa Residency by 1 November
Playful Obscura, an experimental-games and interactive-art initiative, is inviting Africa-based creators to apply for its third Arthouse Games Residency. Two artists will be selected for an in-person programme in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 25 January to 14 February 2027. Applications close on 1 November 2026. The residency is designed for playable art, experimental video games, digital interaction and unconventional interactive narratives—not commercial game development alone.
Who can apply?
The call is open to artists based on the African continent. Location eligibility matters: although the residency features international institutional partners, applicants outside Africa should not treat it as a worldwide open call. Creators working at the intersection of visual art, game design, interactive media, technology and storytelling may find a good fit. Applicants should show both artistic intent and the practical ability to develop a playable or interactive work during an intensive residency.
What kind of project is the jury looking for?
The programme foregrounds art games: projects that experiment with the logic, aesthetics or political and social possibilities of play. The proposal need not mimic a mainstream entertainment title. It might be a playable essay, an interactive story, a participatory digital environment or a hybrid form combining game mechanics with installation. Explain what audiences can do, how that interaction advances the artistic idea, and what a realistic three-week prototype could achieve.
Dates and location
Selected participants will work in Addis Ababa for three weeks from 25 January to 14 February 2027. The deadline for the online application is 1 November 2026. An online information session is scheduled for 22 October at 13:00 South African Standard Time, offering an opportunity to check technical, travel and project requirements before applying. Confirm any time-zone conversions yourself.
Funding: distinguish production from living support
The announced package includes return flights and local ground transport, residency accommodation and workspace. Each artist can receive up to €1,000 toward approved production costs, subject to the programme's requirements and receipts. In addition, the living allowance is €300 per participant for the entire three-week period—not €300 per week. These are different budget lines, so applicants should plan food, personal costs and any extra equipment separately.
Artistic support and visibility
The residency brings together artists and creative-technology partners in an interdisciplinary setting. Outcomes may have an opportunity for presentation within the A MAZE. Berlin 2027 context, but applicants must not mistake that possible visibility for a guaranteed screening, trip or cash prize. A clear prototype plan, production milestones and a presentation-ready description are worth preparing.
Who organises it?
Playful Obscura works with the Goethe-Institut, A MAZE., the British Council and partners in Ethiopia including Creative HUB Ethiopia and Alliance Ethio-Française. The Goethe-Institut is Germany's international cultural institute, and A MAZE. is recognised for experimental game and digital-art events. The programme is in its third edition, making its artistic premise more established than an isolated anonymous online contest.
Suggested portfolio and proposal
A concise portfolio should identify your personal role in previous interactive projects. Include links to playable builds or videos whenever permitted; add a short statement about the concept, desired audience experience, necessary software or hardware, and a credible three-week production schedule. Keep in mind practical questions such as whether work can be shown offline, power and equipment needs, and accessibility for audiences.
Apply using the official source
The Goethe-Institut hosts the full call and online application information: https://www.goethe.de/ins/za/en/m/kul/mut/p27.html . Read the current eligibility and privacy terms before uploading documents or booking travel. This notice was prepared against published information available on 20 October 2026; the organiser's current application page controls the final details.