Open Call | Radical Futurism

Boston Cyberarts screening programs | WaveForms 2026

DEADLINE: Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 11:59 PM EST

Art, film, and literature have the power to shape culture by creating imagery that people strive towards. How can we use this power? 

What are new, positive visions of "what could be?"

We are seeking short, moving image works which envision NEW societal structures, justice-to-come, relations to our planet, and which push past nihilistic end-of-the-world narratives to cultivate forms of Radical Futurism.

Works up to 5 minutes long: video art • experimental animations / new media moving image works • short films

FREE TO APPLY

Jury: Professional Digital Media and Time-Based artists and/or curators: 

• Georgie Friedman, Video Artist; Boston College Studio Art/Film Studies faculty; Boston Cyberarts Board Member

• Ng'endo Mukii, Animator; Professor of the Practice, SMFA@Tufts University 

• Valerie Guinn Polgar, Boston Cyberarts Gallery Director

• Jeffu Warmouth, Video Artist; Fitchburg State University Communications Media Professor; Boston Cyberarts Board Member

Notification: Late January, 2026.

• Please see the application form for all submission info. 

• The completion date of the piece should be 2023 or later.

• Submission must be in the form of a link to a video hosted on an online platform (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo, your website, etc.), or a cloud file, such as a shared video on Google Drive, Dropbox. Files with non-working links, “download only,” or passwords will not be viewed. (Please don't link to a social media site like Instagram, Facebook, etc.)

• Artists, filmmakers, or group collaborations/ collectives may submit up to 5 minutes of total running time either as one or two submissions (submitted separately).  More than 5 minutes of total running time will not be viewed. Note: If you are willing to cut a longer piece to a 5 minute or under section, please indicate a cue times for one segment.

• If you are an artist/filmmaker who works solo and with groups / etc. please only submit a total of two pieces within the 5 min time limit for any combination of your projects.

• Playback: Single-channel, full HD resolution (1920x1080) with stereo sound. We will likely add event title cards between pieces, but we suggest having a short credits in your work.

• Copyright/fair use: You must attest that all the moving image work and sound/music used in the piece is your own, public domain or free from copyright infringement, and / or you have secured rights to show the work in a public setting.

• Student category: Students currently enrolled in college or graduate programs may apply. Please indicate your status in that section.

• Residency: no restrictions.

• Our modest budget for artist honorariums will be split equally among selected artists and may range from $25-$75 depending on the number of works in the program. 

• Honorariums will be processed for all participating artists after the event. 

• As part of our effort to support artists in need, you may choose to donate your honorarium to other artists in these screenings or Boston Cyberarts' future programing.

• If you are slected for this program but don't reply with a screening file after contacting you twice, your place will be forfeited and given to a runner up. 

• If your payment information is missing/incorrect, your honorarium will be considered null/void after 30 days from our first attempt to contact you about the issue.