https://www.rhizomedc.org/open-calls
Rhizome DC Fall 2026 Film & Video Open Call
Rhizome DC and Filament are accepting submissions for our third Film &
Video Open Call. Artists and filmmakers from the DMV region are invited to
submit short boundary-pushing, genre-defying, or experimental moving picture
works for a screening in September 2026. Works shot or projected on film are
encouraged to apply. In addition to digital projection, we will provide
film projectors so that artists with Super 8 or 16mm prints have the
opportunity to screen their work. We also encourage XR (extended reality)
submissions but artists working in XR must bring their own playback
devices. The maximum runtime for all submissions is 20 minutes.
Artists must submit their works by completing the submission form. The
deadline to submit a film to the open call is July 15. Artists will be
notified of their selection by August 1, and the selected films will be
screened on Thursday, September 3.
Rhizome DC also invites proposals for its second microgrant program. Four
artists from the DMV region will be awarded microgrants of $200
each towards the production or completion of an original moving picture
work with the aim of screening the finished work at the open call screening in
September. The categories under consideration include film and video, XR, and
expanded formats that incorporate live performance. Underrepresented voices are
encouraged to apply, and priority will be given to formally innovative or
experimental subjects.
Interested parties must submit examples of their past work and a short
paragraph describing the proposed project. Applications for the microgrant
will be accepted until June 15, and the selected artists will be announced
by July 1. Artists will be paid within a week of acceptance, and the selected
films will be screened on Thursday, September 3.
Rhizome DC is a community-run arts organization,
alternative music venue, and DIY screening space founded in 2015. Filament is a new screening initiative building
an audience for independent and art films in Washington DC.
Questions and concerns can be directed to in...@rhizomedc.org.