Concept & Theme:

Background: Borders have long been a focal point of human interaction, shaping the course of history and influencing the distribution of culture. From geopolitical boundaries to the borders that delineate social constructs, these lines of demarcation often act as both barriers and bridges, separating and connecting individuals and communities. The digital sphere has also impacted our understanding of borders as they shift and blur by a different set of rules.

Objective: This showreel seeks to explore the interplay between borders and artistic expression, inviting artists and filmmakers to challenge preconceived notions of identity, belonging, and exclusion. We encourage submissions that push the boundaries of conventional filmmaking, embracing experimentation and innovation as tools for exploring the many meanings of borders.

Potential Themes:

• Migration and Displacement: How do borders impact the lives of migrants, immigrants, and diasporic communities? What stories lie within the liminal spaces where cultures intersect and identities blur?

• Activism and Resistance: How can art be used as a tool for interrogating borders and advocating for social change? How do artists and filmmakers engage with issues of power, privilege, and resistance through their work?

• Public Art and Social Media: What role do public spaces and digital platforms play in challenging conventional notions of borders? How can artists and filmmakers harness the power of visual storytelling to spark dialogue and provoke thought in the public sphere?

• Metaphorical Framing: How do artists and filmmakers use the metaphorical and literal framing of their subjects to convey meaning and evoke emotion? What symbolic significance do frames hold in different cultural contexts, and how can they be subverted or redefined.

• Collaboration: How do people work together? What is the line that divides them, and what is it that brings them together?

How to Apply

Please fill out the submission form linked below

Included in the submission form:

• Basic information (artist name, contact info, title and duration of the video/film)

• A brief bio and artist statement (max. 250 words, in English) contextualizing the conceptual framework behind the video/film. (If selected, this text may be used for digital and print publication purposes, such as a screening program text, on the VCAS website, etc.)

• A weblink to view the submitted video/film online

Deadline: All submissions must be received by June 10th, 2024. Late entries will not be considered.

Selection Process: A panel of VCAS Jury Members will review all submissions and select videos and short films for inclusion in the event. Selected participants will be informed by the 17th June 2024.

If selected for inclusion, videos must be sent via WeTransfer or similar by June 21st and follow the file / video format: MP4, 1080p (1920x1080) *nb full HD = 1080p. File size is limited to 1.5GB

Eligibility Guidelines

• Visual artists working in video and filmmakers of all backgrounds and levels of experience are encouraged to apply.

• Videos/Films that are experimental in nature are especially encouraged, exploring innovative approaches to visual expression and/or storytelling.

• Please put a disclaimer if there is explicit or disturbing content - VCAS reserves the right to not accept films we deem offensive

• Duration: Videos/Films should be between a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 10 minutes in duration.

• Language: Videos/Films in any language are welcome. However, subtitles in English should be included where appropriate, as the primary language of the showreel is English.

• File Format: For the submission, please send a weblink for the jury to view your video online (any file type). If selected for inclusion, videos must be sent via WeTransfer or similar by June 21st and follow the file / video format: *MP4, 1080p (1920x1080) nb full HD = 1080p. File size is limited to 1.5GB

Contact

For inquiries, please contact office@vcasvienna.com.