Open Screen Night Submissions

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Submit to Open Screen Night
Call to Artists and Curators
* Sorry, Aurora is Currently Not Accepting Submissions*

Aurora accepts proposals from the community for a quarterly "Open Screen Night," including works-in-progress screenings, media art workshops, media performance art, curated short film series or other unique media art happenings that are in line with the mission of Aurora Picture Show. Each quarter, Aurora will reserve a community night for these submissions and select one program or a group of programs that match our programming guidelines, specifically focused on experimental media art or other screening events that are more difficult to define or find a home for exhibition. With the new Aurora media arts center located in the Rice/Kirby area, Aurora strives to be a welcome home for local filmmakers, film professionals, artists and fans of film, as well as showcase new works that expand the cinematic experience.

The following programs are strongly encouraged for Open Screen Night, but we welcome all experimental concepts that feature film and video as well:

Rough-Cut Screenings
We accept proposals for rough-cuts, specifically feature-length documentaries or short films of all genres. Short films should be 20 minutes or less. Principal photography should have been completed, and we encourage filmmakers to submit cuts that are in the later stages of post-production (i.e. NOT first or second cuts). Screenings of work-in-progress might also include a moderated a conversation and opportunity to seek written feedback about the film. These post-screening discussions and evaluation forms are designed to give the filmmaker a better, more objective sense of what is working and not working with his/her film, with particular attention paid to improving the film's structure and narrative clarity. We do not accept trailers, selects, demo segments, or assemblies as a sample work. Please note that Aurora does not accept feature length narratives.

Media Arts Workshops: Youth or Adult
Aurora is expanding our media education opportunities and we welcome your ideas for film, video, media or art related workshops. These can be for adults, children or all ages. Our workshops typically have between 12 and 15 participants. We can provide some equipment and support, but if you have specific needs, please include them in your proposal. For examples of our current education offerings, please see our website.

Film, Video and Media Art Programs
We seek media art projects including, but not limited to, performance art, public actions and interventions, happenings, and acts taking place in both real and virtual places.

Please note that consideration will be given to proposals that fall within the Aurora mission of supporting non-commercial artist made film and video that expand the cinematic experience. Feature length narrative films are not eligible for programming. Aurora champions short format (under 20 minute) experimental, documentary or narrative film and video as well as live cinema performance and new media.

Aurora will provide the venue, staff, equipment, and other available resources for your proposed event. All other needs and costs associated with the event are the responsibility of the artist. We ask that you submit a detailed project budget with your proposal. Depending upon the proposal and requirements, applicants can select to make it a free event or they can charge admission to assist with costs. Bear in mind that we have limited funding and your budget should reflect feasibility to produce the event.

As we are balancing programming needs for the year, the notification process for programming proposals could take up to six months in order for your project to receive full consideration. Please be patient and we will contact you once a decision has been made. If there are any timing considerations we need to keep in mind then please include them in your proposal. We kindly ask for your patience during this process. If you have any questions about the process, please contact Mary Magsamen.

Aurora is currently not accepting submissions as we are programmed into early 2015.
Open Call Submissions will re-open approximately Summer of 2014.