frequently asked questions

  • Hiding in Plain Site is a curated film exhibition program featuring short moving-image works exploring public art across global contexts.

    The program highlights works that feature or engage public art through film, video, experimental media, XR, and AI-assisted moving-image practices.

  • Public art—in a multitude of forms—plays a significant and meaningful role in the lives of people all over the world. Public art, for our purpose, is loosely defined as freely accessible creative expression, non-commercial original work by artists, presented outside of traditional cultural venues—temporarily or long-term.

  • Thursday, September 10, 2026

  • There is no submission fee.

  • We welcome submissions from:

    • filmmakers

    • artists

    • designers

    • students

    • creative practitioners

    • collectives

    • emerging and established creators

    International submissions are encouraged.

    No professional filmmaking background is required.

  • We accept:

    • documentary

    • narrative storytelling

    • video art

    • animation

    • experimental

    • XR (extended reality)

    • AI-generated or AI-assisted original work\

    NOTE: Academic lectures, TED Talks and TV network-produced stories are NOT eligible.

  • Submissions are reviewed through a curatorial selection process led by Jack Becker, HPS director and Paige Dansinger, HPS co-producer. Additional reviewers TBD.

    Selection criteria include:

    • Originality

    • Emotional or conceptual impact

    • Program fit

    • Standard Submission: Works from 2 to 20 minutes

    • Micro Public Art Short: Works up to 2 minutes

  • Please submit one work per creator or team.

  • No, works may created with:

    • smartphones

    • accessible tools

    • DIY methods

    • emerging technologies

    We are interested in strong ideas, compelling storytelling, and meaningful engagement with public art.

  • Yes, artists retain full copyright of submitted work:

    • Participating artists must grant permission to HPS for screening.

    • Participating artists may grant promotional use of still images or short excerpts for festival-related communications.

    • No work will be commercially distributed or licensed to third parties without separate permission.

  • Participating filmmakers will be paid a modest stipend, to be determined based on revenues generated from presentations (TBD).

  • The initial screening will take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota (US) during the 32nd International Sculpture Conference from October 22–25, 2026.

    Additional presentation formats may include:

    • live screenings

    • looping exhibitions

    • hybrid or virtual presentations

  • HPS will pursue opportunities to engage filmmakers, artists and audiences to participate in Q&A sessions and informal conversations.

  • Please complete the online submission form.