COLOURS IN THE DARK 22 | 23 | 24 August 2025 Madeira Islands
INTERNACIONAL OPEN CALL
🌍 INTERNATIONAL OPEN CALL
Colours in the Dark Festival – 2nd Edition
🗓 22–24 August 2025
📍 Quinta Magnólia Gardens, Funchal – Madeira
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Colours in the Dark Festival returns in 2025 for its second edition, celebrating contemporary video art in the poetic and natural setting of Quinta Magnólia’s gardens. Through the projection of audiovisual works in an open-air environment, the festival offers a sensory and immersive experience that invites the audience to reflect on time, memory, the body, and the environment.
For this edition, we invite national and international artists to submit video projects for screening across the three days of the event.
ELIGIBILITY
This Open Call is aimed at contemporary video artists, both emerging and established, of any nationality. Video works of an artistic nature suitable for outdoor projection will be accepted.
OPEN THEME
Proposals that explore contemporary issues through a sensitive, experimental, or poetic approach—promoting dialogue between art, nature, and society—will be highly valued.
HOW TO APPLY
Fill out the application form below and submit the required materials by 31 July 2025.
Colours in the Dark Festival is an independent cultural initiative, supported by the Regional Government of Madeira through the Regional Secretariat for Tourism and Culture, the Funchal City Council, and the **Portuguese Directorate-General for the Arts*.
As part of the Colours in the Dark 2025 international open call, three prizes will be awarded to outstanding video works selected by the jury,m selected by the MOVE association:
- 1st Prize – €500
- 2nd Prize – €250
- 3rd Prize – €150
Prize Rules and Conditions:
- Eligibility: All video works submitted and selected for screening as part of Colours in the Dark 2025 are eligible for prize consideration.
- Jury Decision: The prizes will be awarded by an independent jury composed of professionals in the fields of contemporary art, film, and curation. The jury’s decision is final and not subject to appeal.
- Evaluation Criteria: Works will be evaluated based on artistic quality, originality, relevance to the festival’s vision, and technical execution.
- Announcement: Winners will be announced publicly during the festival, which takes place from August 22 to 24, 2025, at Quinta Magnólia, Funchal.
- Prize Payment: Prizes will be paid via bank transfer within 30 days after the winners are announced. Artists must provide a valid invoice or receipt in accordance with Portuguese tax regulations.
- Shared or Withheld Prizes: The jury reserves the right to:
- Share a prize between two works (in which case the prize amount will be divided).
- Withhold a prize if no work meets the criteria.
- No Entry Fee Required: Participation in the open call is free of charge.
📄 APPLICATION FORM
Artist Information:
- Full Name:
- Email Address:
- Phone Number (with country code):
- Website / Portfolio (if applicable):
Artist Statement:
Please provide a brief statement (maximum 500 words) about your artistic practice and your interest in participating in Colours in the Dark.
Project Information:
- Project Title:
- Project Description:
Please provide a detailed description of your video project, including the concept, creative approach, and intended impact on the viewer. - Technical Requirements:
Specify the technical requirements for your video, including format, resolution, file size, and any other relevant details. - Budget:
If applicable, provide a breakdown of the project’s budget, including anticipated expenses. (Note: production funding is not guaranteed.)
Required Materials:
- Completed Application Form
- Artist Statement
- Link to your video work (via Vimeo, YouTube, or other platforms – password protected if necessary)
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION:
🕓 31/07/2025 – 23h59 GMT
Submissions and inquiries should be sent to:
📧 movemadeira@gmail.com