[Commlist] Call for the 5th ITP Conference – Short films, big questions: Festivals, politics, and public engagement

Skadi Loist would like to alert colleagues on the list with interests in 
short film and film festivals to the 5th In The Palace ISFF conference 
«SHORT FILMS, BIG QUESTIONS: FESTIVALS, POLITICS, AND PUBLIC 
ENGAGEMENT», which will take place in Pernik, Bulgaria, 25/26 June 2026.

As part of the FILMER FORGE industry program, since 2019 IN THE PALACE 
International Short Film Festival has been organizing an 
interdisciplinary scientific conference on the short film.  It takes 
place annually during IN THE PALACE festival week.
In 2026 the conference is dedicated to the topic of SHORT FILMS, BIG 
QUESTIONS: FESTIVALS, POLITICS, AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
ITP Conference aims to create an interdisciplinary space, bringing 
together filmmakers with young and established scholars from the fields 
of film, literature, and related disciplines to explore and enrich the 
study of short film.

Call for Papers:
5th IN THE PALACE ISFF Conference
Short Films, Big Questions: Festivals, Politics, and Public Engagement
25–26 June 2026
IN THE PALACE International Short Film Festival Pernik, Bulgaria
https://inthepalace.com/en/itp-conference/regulations

Short films and their festival circuits have become key sites for 
negotiating aesthetic innovation, social engagement, and cultural 
politics. This two-day conference in conjunction with the IN THE PALACE 
International Short Film Festival, invites contributions that examine 
the role of short cinema and short film festivals within contemporary 
media ecologies, with particular attention to their function as 
mediators of values, platforms for public discourse, and instruments 
within institutional and policy frameworks.
We seek papers that explore the intersections between artistic practice, 
programming strategies, and socio-political agendas. Topics of interest 
include, but are not limited to:
- The role of short films in addressing sensitive, vulnerable or 
contested issues
- Short film as a tool for social awareness, advocacy and public engagement
- Film festivals as mediators of values, themes, and social discourse
- The relationship between artistic curation and socially-driven programming
- The “politicization” of contemporary short cinema
- Short films and festivals as instruments of institutional or policy 
agendas
- Funding structures and their influence on themes and narratives in 
short film production
- The balance between artistic expression and socially engaged content
- Representation of sexuality and the body within broader social and 
political frameworks
- The role of short film festivals in shaping audience perception, 
knowledge, and attitudes
- Sustainability of short film production beyond traditional market logic
- Programming strategies in short film festivals: trends, constraints, 
and responsibilities
- Institutional influence on festival programming and curatorial 
decision-making
- Circulation, distribution, and visibility of short films in 
contemporary media ecosystems
- The responsibility of festivals in long-term cultural and social 
impact We welcome contributions from film and media studies, cultural 
studies, sociology, industry studies, and related fields, as well as 
practice-based perspectives.

Artistic Contributions
We also invite proposals for artistic contributions from 
practitioners/researchers working on the conference themes. Artistic 
research formats may include, but are not limited to:
- Workshops
- Films
- Performative lectures or interventions
- Video essays
- Found footage assemblages
Please note that complex technical assistance cannot be provided.

Presentation Formats
- Paper Presentation: 20 minutes
- Screening Session: Up to 40 minutes screening + 20 minutes discussion
- Artistic Contribution: Format to be discussed depending on the nature 
of the proposal
- All presentations must be in English.

Application Requirements
Option 1: Paper Abstract
- 250–300 words
- Clearly state the research question, methodology, approach, and findings
- Include at least 3 keywords
Option 2: Artistic Research Proposal
- 300–400 words
- Outline relevance to conference themes
Author Biography
- 50–70 words

Publication
The Scientific Committee is planning a publication of selected papers in 
an edited volume, following a peer-review process. More information will 
be provided in due time.

Timeline
- April 20 – May 20, 2026 – Submission Period
- May 21 – May 25, 2026 – Review Process
- By May 26, 2026 – Notification of Acceptance
- June 25–26, 2026 – Conference Dates

Financial Information
No submission or participation fees are required.
The conference will take place during the 23rd edition of the IN THE 
PALACE International Short Film Festival.
The Festival will provide:
- 2 nights of accommodation in Pernik
- 150€ of financial contribution towards travel expenses
- Meals support (food vouchers)
- Festival and industry accreditation
Participants are encouraged to seek additional travel support from their 
home institutions if needed.

Scientific Committee
- María Paz Peirano
- Rich Warren
- Skadi Loist

Organizing Committee
- Liliya Kucheva
- María Paz Peirano
- Rich Warren
- Rita Capucho
- Skadi Loist
- Tsanko Vasilev

For any questions, please contact us at: 
mailto:(conference /at/ inthepalace.com) Submit your proposal here: 
https://forms.gle/2YqPLHQYjo6qz4iy5



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