Organizer Information
Arts Convergences is a French nonprofit association established in 2013 to create new collaborations between artists, local authorities, and psychiatric and mental-health care structures. Its work supports people experiencing psychosocial disabilities through individual and collective artistic projects, with a particular focus on reducing stigma, encouraging social inclusion, and increasing public visibility of their creative work. The association organizes workshops, exhibitions, cultural events, and artistic projects in prominent cultural and heritage venues.
For its 6th Video Award, Arts Convergences is partnering with Thanks for Nothing, an association founded in 2017 that develops artistic and solidarity-based projects addressing social issues. The award is also supported by partners including the City of Paris, Psycom, UNAFAM, Fondation Falret, Centre Hospitalier de Plaisir, and LaCinetek.
Title & Description
Video Award 6th Edition – Arts Convergences
The Arts Convergences Video Award is an open call for very short films addressing the theme of mental illness, under the theme “Je ne rentre pas dans une case !” (“I don’t fit into a box!”).
The competition invites filmmakers and video artists to explore the diversity of experiences and life trajectories of people affected by mental illness, challenging stereotypes and encouraging audiences to reconsider established perceptions. Submissions should use creativity and storytelling to highlight individual differences, talents, experiences, and perspectives.
Videos may be documentary, fiction, animation, news-report style, or other permitted forms, and may use live action, still images, motion, or animation. The final work must be between 90 seconds and 4 minutes.
The Role Overview
- Opportunity type: Video competition / Open call
- Organizer: Arts Convergences
- Partner: Thanks for Nothing
- Format: Short video, 90 seconds–4 minutes
- Theme: Mental illness / “I don’t fit into a box!”
- Prizes: Three principal cash awards totaling €5,000
- Jury: Film, animation, production, casting, and mental-health professionals
- Awards ceremony: December 2026; exact venue to be announced
- Reporting to: Not applicable; this is a competition rather than an employment position.
Position & Tasks
Applicants are expected to independently create and submit a short video responding to the competition theme. Participants are responsible for assembling their own creative team, equipment, production resources, and other requirements needed to produce the work. Arts Convergences does not provide production funding for making the video.
The submitted work must address mental illness and comply with French law and the competition rules. Applicants are responsible for securing the necessary intellectual-property rights for images, photographs, video, music, locations, performers, and other elements used in their work. Music must be original or royalty-free.
Categories
- Video Art
- Short Film
- Filmmaking
- Animation
- Documentary
- Fiction
- Visual Storytelling
- Moving Image
The competition accepts different genres and production approaches, including documentary, fiction, comedy, thriller, news-report formats, animation, motion-based work, and videos incorporating still images. Experimental artistic videos, advertisements, institutional films, prevention campaigns, series episodes, and music videos are excluded.
Eligibility
The competition is open internationally to individuals aged over 18 who hold the moral and economic rights to their submitted video and can demonstrate ownership of those rights if requested.
There is no nationality, gender, or professional-status restriction stated in the official rules. Both emerging and established filmmakers may participate.
If the video is produced in a language other than French, it must include French subtitles; otherwise, it will be disqualified.
Program Benefits
Three principal awards are offered:
- Grand Prize: €2,000
- Jury Prize: €1,500
- Public Choice Prize: €1,500
- Additional prizes may also be awarded.
Selected videos will be presented publicly in a leading cultural institution, with the presentation and promotional costs covered by the organizers. Selected and winning works will also receive promotional exposure through Arts Convergences' communication channels.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 19 October 2026, midnight
- Public Choice voting: Approximately three weeks before the awards ceremony
- Awards ceremony: December 2026; exact date and location to be announced.
Location
Additional Details
Selected candidates must be available to attend or be represented at the awards ceremony. The organizers will notify the approximately 15 shortlisted videos for the Public Choice Prize around three weeks before the ceremony. Candidates who do not respond within seven working days of notification may be considered to have withdrawn.
An important rights condition applies: selected candidates grant Arts Convergences worldwide, non-commercial rights to reproduce, publicly present, disseminate, and translate their videos for 10 years. Applicants should therefore review the complete regulations carefully before submitting.