call for submissions

Hiding in Plain Site invites filmmakers, artists, and creative practitioners to submit short works (2–20 minutes each) for consideration in this international screening program.

• We especially welcome work from diverse teams, emerging voices, and non-traditional storytelling approaches, including experimental, poetic, essayistic, and hybrid forms.

• We are interested in work that engages public space, collective experience, community narratives, and expanded forms of artistic practice.

• We seek standout work that elicits an emotional response—it inspires, informs, humors, enthuses, confounds, or otherwise leaves an impression.

• No professional filmmaking background is required.

• Works created using smartphones, accessible tools, DIY methods, or emerging technologies are encouraged.

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

submission categories

1 — standard

Short works between 2–20 minutes

2 — micro public art short

Short works up to 2 minutes. This short-form category encourages concise, accessible, and experimental storytelling.

submission guidelines

Submissions are collected via an online form and reviewed through a curatorial selection process.

• One submission per creator or team

• Open to international submissions

• Public art must be meaningfully featured in the work

SUBJECT MATTER:

Submissions must feature public art in some way, or use public art as a main character, subject, setting, or backdrop.

Hiding in Plain Site is open to all approaches, styles, and scales—from homemade smartphone movies to ambitious cinematic productions.

SELECTED MEDIA — we accept:

• Film and video (digital formats)

• Experimental moving-image works

• Video art and essay film

• XR (extended reality) works

• AI-generated or AI-assisted original works

PARTICIPATION:

Selected works will be included in a curated screening program presented in flexible formats, including:

• Live screening events

• Looping exhibitions

• Hybrid or virtual presentations depending on venue and context

Optional artist engagement opportunities such as Q&A sessions or informal audience conversations may be included.

RIGHTS + PERMISSIONS:

Artists retain full copyright of their work.

By submitting, artists grant permission for screening if selected and may optionally allow still images or short excerpts to be used for festival-related promotion (website, press, and social media).

No submitted works will be used for commercial distribution or third-party licensing without separate permission.