The 23rd FEST – New Directors New Films festival in Portugal welcomes film submissions for its 19–27 June 2027 edition. International filmmakers can enter films across the programme's competitive sections, including shorts, features and work with creative new cinematic approaches. The regular submission period is already running as of 22 October 2026. It ends on 26 January 2027 at 23:59 GMT, charging €14 for short films and €20 for features. A final extended window runs until 24 February 2027 at higher rates. Which films qualify, and the subtitle rule The official FEST 2027 regulations state that films must have been completed after 1 January 2026 and must not have been screened in earlier FEST editions. Entries are submitted online through the festival's approved platforms. Every film needs English subtitles even when the dialogue is in another language; entrants should not assume that a Portuguese original is automatically exempt. The organiser asks applicants to keep screener links active through 31 May 2027, and delivery of exhibition copies may be required by 10 May. Fee tiers and a specific exemption The early-bird window ended on 12 October. For submissions from 13 October 2026 to 26 January 2027, the official fees are €14 for shorts and €20 for features. From 27 January to 24 February the fees increase to €20 and €30 respectively. The rules exempt majority-Portuguese productions from the charge; simply being in the Portuguese language or a Portuguese-speaking country does not confer that exemption. Other exceptional waivers can apply to productions from countries facing specified sanctions or transfer obstacles, with organiser confirmation. How to prepare for selection Select a section appropriate for the film's format and subject and prepare a reliable preview link, creator credits, synopsis, production year, subtitles and rights-clearance documents. Submission is not an assurance of exhibition or a meeting with an international buyer. FEST integrates its screenings with education, networking and professional encounters, so filmmakers should assess whether travel to Portugal is feasible if selected. Travel, visas or accommodation should not be treated as included merely because entry fees were paid. An established Portuguese film event FEST takes place in Espinho and has a multi-edition record of presenting new directors while running workshops, training and industry activity. Its official site gives both the 2027 dates and a separate, more detailed Rules and Regulations page. The authoritative booking route starts on site.fest.pt, and organisers can be contacted through films@fest.pt about ambiguous eligibility or fee exemptions. Official rules and application https://site.fest.pt/en/submissions/film-submissions/ Information verified on 22 October 2026. Confirm all current dates, conditions, fees and exhibition or rights terms with the organiser before applying.

New York arts organisation SoMad is commissioning artists to transform eight bathrooms in its future building into site-specific environments. Proposals close 11 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. Projects may involve image-making, sculpture, immersive installation, light, materials, experimental design or interactive elements, provided the rooms remain safe, functional and maintainable bathrooms. Total project budgets range from US$5,000 to US$25,000 depending on scale, and the artist fee forms part of that same budget rather than being added on top. Eight rooms of different sizes The commissions cover compact stalls of about 14 square feet, ordinary single-occupancy bathrooms around 35 square feet, ADA-accessible rooms near 45 square feet, and an accessible shower bathroom of approximately 68 square feet. Each room comes with fixed plumbing and accessibility parameters. Selected artists will work with the SoMad team to match the concept to a viable footprint and discuss durable material, lighting, cleaning access, moisture resistance and maintenance. A proposal does not need to replicate a typical gallery installation, but it must allow the room to serve its everyday function. Budget includes the artist's fee The organiser lists US$5,000–US$25,000 total project budgets and asks artists to estimate specialty work beyond basic construction. Artist fees are approximately 30–40% of an approved project budget, with a minimum US$2,500. Standard construction components are outside the specialty art proposal, but project expenses must be realistic; additional costs beyond the agreed limit require written authorisation. Do not read the budget as an unconditional prize paid just for submitting a concept. Proposal and development calendar The official online form asks about the artist's practice, space choice, conceptual core, visual references or mood board, materials and installation method, budget, availability, safety and maintenance. The deadline is 11 November 2026; finalists will be interviewed between late November and January, and selections are expected by 22 January 2027. Design development and installation occur across 2027, with completion targeted for October. Artists who cannot coordinate the on-site build should make those logistics explicit at application. Institutional context and safe commission terms SoMad is a New York artist community and creative space developing a new building for 2027. Its first-party call documents the different rooms, example layouts, contact email hello@somad.nyc and budget policy. Applicants should seek a written contract specifying artist fees, construction deadlines, image rights, insurance and long-term maintenance responsibilities before beginning fabrication. Official rules and application https://somad.nyc/happenings/bathroomdesignopencall Information verified on 22 October 2026. Confirm all current dates, conditions, fees and exhibition or rights terms with the organiser before applying.

Form Photography, with UNSEEN and Picter, is inviting contemporary photographers worldwide to the Form Photo Award x UNSEEN 2027. Applications close on 31 October 2026 at 23:59 CET. The theme is open, and both colour and black-and-white photographs are eligible. Five winning artists will exhibit at UNSEEN during Art Rotterdam, 18–21 March 2027, with publication in Form Magazine. Ten shortlisted artists are also planned for a portfolio exhibition. Applicants must be older than 18; the event should not be marketed as a youth-only or locally Dutch competition. What kind of photo project qualifies Entries must present between one and eight images that form part of a photographic series. Photographs must have been taken or published within the last five years. The organisers accept emerging practitioners, professionals, photography students and independent artists of any nationality. An open topic does not mean unrelated images uploaded without any context will make an effective application: the entry should explain the visual idea, project coherence and why the work suits a contemporary-photography setting. Prepare files and application documents Every applicant submits a short biography, a description of the photographic project and 1–8 JPG images. Each picture must be at least 1,500 pixels on its long edge. Applications are accepted online only via Picter, linked by the organiser. The closing time is 31 October 2026 at 23:59 CET. The current introduction does not state one universal fee amount, so photographers should verify the live submission screen before paying rather than believing a listing that calls the opportunity automatically free. Exhibition opportunities, shortlist and rights Five winning projects gain exposure at UNSEEN/Art Rotterdam in March 2027 and editorial coverage in Form Magazine. Ten additional shortlisted photographers are planned for a portfolio display and inclusion in the event catalogue. Longlisted artists may obtain specialist review of their work. These benefits should not be confused with a promised cash prize: the official 2027 page emphasizes exhibition and professional visibility. Entrants retain copyright but grant limited promotional image uses related to the exhibition if accepted. Who runs the award and where to apply Form is an international photography gallery and publishing initiative that has previously exhibited prize projects in Paris, Basel and Miami. UNSEEN is a photography platform within Art Rotterdam, and Picter hosts the official application. The organiser website provides the jury, dates, eligibility and rights terms, enabling applicants to verify the invitation without relying on an intermediary. Official rules and application https://form.photography/award/open-call-form-unseen Information verified on 22 October 2026. Confirm all current dates, conditions, fees and exhibition or rights terms with the organiser before applying.

IZOLYATSIA (Ukraine) and Witte Rook (Netherlands) invite digital artists and creative researchers to the 2027 Digital Explorers Across Borders residency programme. Applicants must live AND work in Ukraine or the Netherlands; merely being a citizen of either country while working elsewhere may not meet the published eligibility statement. The deadline is 15 November 2026 at 23:59 CET. The online programme pairs artists from the two countries and provides an €1,800 artist fee excluding VAT and a €1,000 materials budget excluding VAT, alongside technical support and an exhibition opportunity. Three different periods and themes The residency uses the common.garden digital environment to explore how artists can collaborate across borders. Phase One, 'Form', runs January–March 2027 and examines digital-space infrastructure and design with Constant Dullaart and collaborators. Phase Two, 'Content', is scheduled May–July and combines virtual with physical making connected to Make Eindhoven. Phase Three, 'Analysis', runs September–December and looks at hospitality and exchange in a digital artist-residency context. Each round brings a Ukrainian and a Netherlands-based artist into a shared creative process and a final online presentation. The financial package is per selected residency, not monthly salary The official call states an €1,800 fee excluding VAT and a €1,000 materials budget excluding VAT. It does not describe €1,800 paid separately every month, nor a fully funded international trip for every applicant. The package also includes meetings with curators, technical assistance, a digital and physical display and an article about the creative process. Artists should confirm invoice requirements, taxation, rights and how material spending is reimbursed before signing a residency agreement. Language, application documents and collaboration Candidates must be proficient in English, comfortable using digital technologies in their art and willing to collaborate with peers. The dossier consists of a motivation text of no more than 1,000 words indicating the preferred phase; a CV PDF up to three A4 pages; and a portfolio PDF no longer than ten A4 pages and 20MB, with image titles, medium, year and context. All application documents must be in English. Submit through the IZOLYATSIA Platform reached from the official call before the 15 November deadline. Organiser and verification IZOLYATSIA is a Ukrainian arts foundation that develops cultural programmes and residencies, while Dutch organisation Witte Rook supports artist exchanges and creative research. The first-party call names the partners, resident eligibility and the three themes. Do not send copyrighted unpublished portfolios to unknown intermediaries; use the platform linked from izolyatsia.org. Official rules and application https://izolyatsia.org/en/project/digital-explorers-across-borders/open-call/ Information verified on 22 October 2026. Confirm all current dates, conditions, fees and exhibition or rights terms with the organiser before applying.

New Frames, a European student AI short-film contest run by the European Generative Film Association (EuGFA) in Estonia, is accepting films until 30 October 2026 at 23:59 Europe/Tallinn time. Students aged at least 18 at eligible European institutions may enter individually or in teams of up to four. Each original film should run 1–5 minutes and use artificial intelligence as a meaningful part of its filmmaking process. Entry is free, and the total prize pool is €900. The eligibility is institutional and geographic The competition is specifically a student programme. Applicants must be enrolled at an eligible school in Europe and be 18 or older; forming a team with one qualifying student does not automatically remove all team requirements. A team may include no more than four participants. The school and age requirements should be checked in the full official rules, and artists outside Europe should not assume the competition is a global unrestricted AI-film call. Films and required materials Applicants must produce an original film between one and five minutes, with AI materially used in the creative process—not merely invoked for an irrelevant administrative task. The official procedure starts with an application form and continues with emailed upload instructions for the film and still or poster. Filmmakers should retain evidence of permitted music, performances, voice cloning and third-party intellectual-property rights, and disclose their AI workflow as required by the submission conditions. Judging calendar and awards Submissions close 30 October 2026. The shortlist is scheduled for 6 November, public voting from 6 to 14 November, and final winners on 15 November. The advertised €900 figure is a total prize pool, not the cash amount every entrant receives. Audience voting and organisers' awards are selection processes, and application acceptance should not be confused with winning. Official organisation and how to apply EuGFA describes itself as an Estonia-based association for generative filmmaking and maintains the contest timeline, eligibility and linked official Google submission form. Before sending personal information or high-resolution work, verify that the link comes from eugfa.org/newframes and that the stated Tallinn deadline has not changed. Official organiser guidelines and application https://eugfa.org/newframes Information verified on 22 October 2026. Before applying, recheck eligibility, exact deadlines, fees and rights terms on the official organiser site.

Leonardo/International Society for the Arts, Sciences and Technology is accepting applications for the 2027 CripTech AI Lab, an online creative programme exploring artificial intelligence through disability-led art and access innovation. The application deadline is 15 November 2026, Anywhere on Earth (AoE). Participants join virtual workshops and individual project development from January through May 2027. The opportunity is intended for disabled artists and groups centring disability experience and leadership; it should not be marketed as a general AI coding course for anyone. Creative aims and the five-month virtual format The programme takes 'access intelligence' as a starting point and explores interdependence, play and wayfinding. The 2027 lead artist is M Eilo, who works with computational prosthetics and creative technology. Activities include hands-on AI sessions, guest talks, creative-access practices such as description and captions, one-to-one project advising, collaborative documentation and a public virtual showcase. Participants co-author an online archive of tools and approaches, with control over what they agree to share. Who is eligible and practical attendance Applicants may be based anywhere in the world, but the organisers seek individual practitioners or small groups with disability-centred artistic experience and leadership. Prior technical skill levels can vary. Meetings are synchronous on Zoom during Pacific Time business hours, typically 9 a.m.–5 p.m. PT, with asynchronous activity on Discord. Applicants in Asia or Europe should check whether those hours fit their schedule and explain necessary accessibility accommodations without assuming time zones will change. What the scholarship covers and what to prepare Selected applicants receive a 100% scholarship covering programme tuition and all required course software. The announcement does not promise a cash salary, unrestricted art-production grant or travel allowance. The application asks for responses on artistic practice, access experience and AI ethics, roughly 150–300 words each; two or three work samples; and two references. Applicants may submit an accessible audio/video response instead of written answers, lasting 15 minutes or less in total. Organisation and safe route Leonardo/ISAST is a longstanding non-profit at the intersection of arts, science and technology, with publications and programmes connected to international arts-research networks. Its published announcement links the actual application portal and offers access assistance via criptech@leonardo.info. Confirm availability, eligibility and rights arrangements on that first-party page before applying. Official organiser guidelines and application https://leonardo.info/opportunity/open-call-leonardo-criptech-ai-lab-2027 Information verified on 22 October 2026. Before applying, recheck eligibility, exact deadlines, fees and rights terms on the official organiser site.

Animation Dingle, an Irish animation festival, is accepting student-only pitches for its 2027 StINGs project until 23 October 2026. The theme is 'MOVE ME', and the finished animation is expected to last 20–40 seconds including credits. A StING is a short animated identifier shown before a festival film programme, so this competition asks for a convincing creative proposal now, not a completed animation by tomorrow. The organiser's page contains an inconsistent notification date, which applicants should confirm before committing work. Pitch now; animate later Students may submit a pitch deck, storyboard, animatic, concept art or similar materials that communicate an original idea. The 2027 theme is 'Move Me' and the animated short should relate to the festival mascot An Phiast. Judges consider direction, concept, understanding of the brief, presentation, storytelling and visual appeal. The organiser requires original works; if generative AI tools are used in the pitch or final film, their use must be declared explicitly. The October 23 deadline and a published typo Pitches opened 16 September and close 23 October 2026. The official page states successful candidates will be notified on '9 November 2027' but also demands finished work by 19 February 2027. These dates cannot both be correct. The notification year should be clarified directly with Animation Dingle; applicants must not use the late notification date to assume they have an extra year. Only students may enter, and the required logos and credits must be incorporated into selected final films. Rights and fees to clarify The introductory StINGs page does not clearly state a universal entry fee or artist payment. It also references downloadable festival and Jam Media logos, which come with usage and credit requirements. Teams should resolve rights in graphics, voice performances, soundtrack and school-developed materials before submission. Pitches that are not selected do not automatically become part of the official festival programme. Festival credibility and safe submission Animation Dingle runs student animation competitions, screenings and talent events and maintains archives of its programmes and awards. Its official site links to the student pitch form and requirements. Use that form and contact the organiser about the date inconsistency rather than following an unofficial application request. Official organiser guidelines and application https://animationdingle.com/stings/ Information verified on 22 October 2026. Before applying, recheck eligibility, exact deadlines, fees and rights terms on the official organiser site.

The 2027 Sea Slug Animation Festival is open for short animation film submissions through its final late deadline of 2 November 2026. Its policy is distinctive: the standard entry price is only US$10, and the festival promises a waiver code to every filmmaker who asks for one. In addition, selected short films receive a US$75 screening fee. This should not be mistaken for a cash award available to all applicants; screening payments are tied to actual festival selection. How the fee and waiver work The festival currently charges US$10 across its early, regular and late deadlines to discourage automated bulk submissions, but explicitly says any interested filmmaker may request a waiver, with a code guaranteed. Applicants should request it well before the final 2 November deadline so organisers can reply. Already-paid entry fees generally are not refunded, so the waiver should be obtained before paying and submitting through FilmFreeway. A waiver is not a preferential-selection service. Film selection and screening payment Films are submitted via the FilmFreeway link on the official Sea Slug page. The festival states that each short film selected for its 2027 programme will receive a standard US$75 screening fee. Candidates should review full format, eligible runtime, completion-year requirements, captions and rights on FilmFreeway because the general Submit page does not present all of them. Never assume that an entry will screen merely because a $10 charge has been paid. Prepare the assets and retain rights Filmmakers should prepare a private screener, accurate film credits, director and production details, production stills and an exhibition-quality master if accepted. Soundtracks, performers, characters, archival footage and any licensed assets require permission for festival use. If a film uses generative tools, disclose processes when the application asks for them. Avoid posting a private access password publicly. Why this is worth considering Sea Slug differentiates itself from many submission-driven festivals by aiming not to profit from entry fees and by budgeting direct screening payments to makers. Its organiser website openly explains the policy and directs entrants to its FilmFreeway page. Keep copies of terms and follow any latest technical guidance. Official organiser guidelines and application https://seasluganimation.com/submit Information verified on 22 October 2026. Before applying, recheck eligibility, exact deadlines, fees and rights terms on the official organiser site.

The ninth John Ruskin Prize welcomes artists, designers and makers of all nationalities who are at least 18 years old. The theme for 2027 is 'Not for Present Delight', a prompt to consider the consequences of creating art for future audiences and generations. The deadline is Tuesday 17 November 2026 at 5 p.m. UK time. Although the prize embraces paintings and sculpture, the eligible formats expressly include digital artworks, animation, film and video, photography, mixed physical-digital practice and installations—making it relevant to Aion's media-art audience. What work qualifies Eligible submissions must be works produced within the past four years and meet the annual theme. A work might address environmental responsibility, digital access, social relationships, intergenerational stewardship or the role of culture in a changing society, without being limited to one political perspective. Both individual artists and collectives may enter. Judging is first conducted through digital materials, including for physical installations. The organiser accepts 2D and 3D work documented appropriately. Prize levels and the exhibition The main award is £3,000. Other opportunities include a £1,000 Alan Davidson prize for artists under 26, a £3,000 Ruskin Mill Trust prize for a functional object, and a £2,500 Chelsea Arts Club Trust prize for an eligible mid-career practitioner. The GreatArt public-vote prize comprises art materials rather than equivalent cash. Selected works are planned for exhibition at Trinity Buoy Wharf, London. None of these prizes is guaranteed to an accepted applicant. Application and fees Applications are made through the ArtOpps portal linked from the official Ruskin Prize website. Submit accurate images, film or video documentation, descriptions, dimensions and evidence of ownership and display rights. The organisers' introductory page does not give one universal application-fee amount, so confirm costs on the current entry portal instead of assuming it is free. Artists proposing installation or video should also check transportation, insurance, projection equipment and exhibition permissions. Track record and entry safety The prize was founded by the Guild of St George and is organised by Parker Harris under The Big Draw, with an established history of juries and exhibition programmes. The first-party page lists judges, individual prize conditions, deadline and portal. Verify any payment destination through the linked form, especially when uploading unpublished artwork. Official organiser guidelines and application https://www.ruskinprize.co.uk/2027prize/ Information verified on 22 October 2026. Before applying, recheck eligibility, exact deadlines, fees and rights terms on the official organiser site.

The International Animated Film Festival Animocje in Bydgoszcz, Poland, is accepting work for its sixteenth edition in 2027. The deadline is 15 November 2026. Films must have been completed after 1 January 2025; traditional drawn, stop-motion, computer-generated, experimental and mixed-technique animation can be considered. Three competition streams are available: the Main Competition, Music Films, and Films for Children and Young Adults. Music films deserve separate attention Animocje is notable for an expressly named Music Films Competition, a useful route for directors making innovative animated music videos, sound-image experiments or visually driven films with a musical identity. Entrants should read that section's detailed regulations rather than send an ordinary commercial promotional clip without checking eligibility. The Main Competition is broader, while the children/young adult category examines suitability for younger audiences. Deadline, production period and materials The official notice, dated August 17, confirms the production-after-January-2025 rule and November 15 cutoff. Submit through the form and competition terms linked directly on the festival site. Assemble film information, director details, stills, accurate runtime, language/subtitle files and a screener that remains accessible during selection. Do not assume that all categories have identical runtime caps, premiere conditions or screening rights; read the specific regulations. Entry cost and selection support The initial English-language announcement does not disclose a universal fee or travel subsidy. Any costs in the submission form must therefore be checked rather than treated as zero. Festival selection can offer screening, industry contact and jury consideration, but does not itself guarantee distribution, prize money or reimbursement of a filmmaker's travel to Poland. All soundtrack and animation-material rights must be cleared. About the organiser Animocje has presented international animation in Bydgoszcz over fifteen editions, and its website archives programmes, juries and earlier winners. The site identifies Municipal Cultural Center in Bydgoszcz as the festival's institutional base. Official rules and the submission link are provided on animocje.com. Official organiser guidelines and application https://www.animocje.com/news/call-for-submissions-for-the-animocje-2027-competitions-is-now-open Information verified on 22 October 2026. Before applying, recheck eligibility, exact deadlines, fees and rights terms on the official organiser site.

KRS Light Art Festival Kristiansand 2027 invites light installations, projection mapping and interactive art by November 1, 2026. Free entry; one NOK 25,000 prize plus production support. A Norway-based festival seeking one major light artwork KRS Lyskunstfestival, the Light Art Festival in Kristiansand, invites artists, designers, architects, technologists and interdisciplinary groups to propose an artwork for its 2027 edition. The deadline is November 1, 2026. One winning proposal will be developed and shown at the festival. The organizer does not state a nationality restriction on its public page. Media and approaches welcomed Eligible proposals can explore sculpture with light, projection mapping and video, participatory or interactive installations, lasers, site-specific public interventions and experimental practices. Both new concepts and existing artworks are considered; a fully resolved technical design is not required at the proposal stage. Award, support and copyright The selected artist will receive a NOK 25,000 grand prize, with technical/installation assistance, accommodation and travel support, promotion and project-related production costs as specified by the organizer. Participation is free. The organizer says artists retain ownership of the work, and multiple independent proposals are allowed if submitted on separate forms. Plan for a challenging outdoor location The festival takes place at several waterside locations in central Kristiansand, Norway. February conditions may include freezing temperatures, wind, rain or snow. Applicants should discuss dimensions, safe installation, electrical requirements, power and estimated budget, rather than proposing works that can only be exhibited in a controlled gallery environment. Submission checklist and organizer Prepare a project description, sketches or renders, technical specifications, estimated production budget, concise biography, portfolio and contact information. Apply through the form indicated on the official Open Call page. KRS Lyskunstfestival presents public light art across a variety of urban and cultural sites in Kristiansand. Verified October 22, 2026. Organizer's official call and application https://www.lyskunstfestival.com/opencall

JWTFF 2027 International Competition accepts global tourism films until December 14, 2026, 23:59 JST. Entry $10 in October–November, $15 in December. Separate from Japan competition. The international section is open Japan World's Tourism Film Festival (JWTFF) 2027 is accepting films for its International Competition, covering tourism-oriented audiovisual production from around the world. The official deadline is December 14, 2026 at 23:59 Japan Standard Time. The organizer also runs a separate competition for Japan-based films; its conditions and deadline are not interchangeable with this international call. Application fees change during the autumn The international entry fee was waived only until September 30, 2026. Films registered from October 1 through November 30 cost US$10 each. From December 1 through December 14, the rate increases to US$15 per film. These are per-film fees, and the organizer says students or other eligible applicants with particular financial or regional circumstances may request a fee waiver or reduction before submission. What to check before submitting Read the official JWTFF 2027 Rules and Regulations linked from the international application page. Check that the film genuinely relates to destinations, tourism or place-based storytelling, and verify required viewing links, music/image rights, subtitle and technical rules. Submission of a video does not by itself ensure public screening or finalist status. Why this festival is worth considering JWTFF has run previous editions with separate international and Japan programme sections. Its official archive displays past finalist lists, jury information, award ceremonies and published programme records, providing a useful history to examine when evaluating the opportunity. How to enter The official page links to the 2027 regulations and online entry form. To benefit from the US$10 price, submit by November 30; the final international deadline is December 14, 2026 (JST). Information checked October 22, 2026. Organizer's official call and application https://jwtff.world/callforfilm_2027_inter