Faro International Videomapping Festival
Southern Europe International Videomapping Platform for emerging and experimental Mapping Artists
23 May 2026
Faro, Portugal
Submission deadline: 3 May 2026
About
The Faro International Videomapping Festival (Faro, Portugal) launches an international open call for original videomapping works to be projected onto a large-scale architectural façade in the historic city centre of Faro.
In a landscape dominated by spectacular light events, the festival proposes a different intensity — a focused architectural canvas, a curated selection of works, and a sharp dialogue between digital image and historical structure.
We invite artists, motion designers, VJs and media creators from around the world to submit works that confront architecture, distort perception and redefine public space through moving image.
Festival Statement
Videomapping is more than a technical exercise — it is an act of architectural reinterpretation. By projecting moving images onto urban façades, artists temporarily reshape physical space, dissolve boundaries and create ephemeral visual architectures.
Situated in Southern Europe, where light shapes both landscape and culture, the festival embraces projection as language. We are looking for bold, immersive and conceptually strong works that transform the façade into an active, unstable and temporary visual architecture.
Selected works will compete for the Grand Jury Prize.
Open Call Details
Submit an original videomapping work to be projected on a large-scale architectural façade in Faro’s historic city centre. Works should confront architecture, distort perception and redefine public space through moving image.
Who Can Apply
- Individual artists or collectives
- Students and professionals
- International participants
- No age restriction
Technical Requirements
- Duration: 1–1:30 minutes
- Format: MP4 (H264 codec)
- Resolution: 1024x768 px
- Work must be suitable for architectural videomapping
- Sound design allowed (if applicable to festival setup)
Selection Process
- An international jury will review all submissions
- Selected works notified: by email on 26 April 2026
- The jury’s decision is final
Rights & Conditions
- Artists retain full copyright of their work
- By submitting, artists grant the festival the right to publicly screen selected works during the event
- Short excerpts and images may be used for promotional and documentation purposes
- The organization reserves the right to refuse works that violate copyright or ethical standards
Event Info
- Event date: 23 May 2026
- Location: Faro, Portugal
- Submission deadline: 3 May 2026
How to Apply
To apply, send your submission materials by email. Make sure all required information is included.
Submission Requirements
- Video file or downloadable link
- Title of the work
- Short description (max 150 words)
- Short biography (max 100 words)
- Country / Institution / studio of origin
- Contact email
Send to
Subject line: Open Call Submission –2026 International Videomapping Festival
Awards
Selected works will compete for awards presented at the end of the public festival screening.
🏆 Best Videomapping Award — €500
Awarded by an international jury composed of professionals in design, media arts and audiovisual production. The winner will be publicly announced at the end of the festival screening.
The prize will be paid via bank transfer after the event.
🎖 Audience Choice Award — Honorary Distinction
Granted to the work most voted by the audience during the public screening. Also announced at the end of the festival.
Technical Materials Download
You may download the official projection materials below. All submitted works must follow the official façade proportions and technical specifications.
Materials include
- Projection façade mask (.ai and .psd)
- 2D Cathedral (bell tower) façade template (JPG)
- Technical projection specifications
Important Notes
The masks for the Cathedral (bell tower) are provided in .ai and .psd files, organized in layers. They are oriented in landscape mode to preserve better resolution.
By rotating the projector 90°, the final mapping on the Cathedral bell tower will not lose resolution.
If working with a landscape-oriented mask is inconvenient in your software, you may:
- Rotate the mask to work in portrait orientation within the program.
- After completing the animation/film, rotate the final output back to landscape orientation, so it matches the original base mask.
Please note that due to the long focal length lens, there are several constraints:
- The projection will produce larger pixels on the final wall.
- Use high-contrast colours.
- Animations should avoid small details, as they may not be clearly visible.
Project specifications
- Resolution: 1024 × 768 px
Important Timeline
- Submission Deadline: 3 May 2026
- Selection Notification: 8 May 2026
- Final Adapted File Delivery: 13 May 2026
- Festival Screening: 23 May 2026
Reminder
Selected artists will receive the façade template for adaptation. Please plan enough time for testing alignment and safe areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about submissions and selection.
Is there a submission fee?
No. Submission is free.
Is there a theme?
No mandatory theme. Creative freedom is encouraged.
Can I submit more than one work?
Yes, multiple submissions are allowed.
Do I need to adapt my work to the façade?
Selected artists will receive a façade template for adaptation.
When is the winner announced?
At the end of the public festival screening.
Contact
Location
Historic City Centre
Faro, Portugal
Event Date
23 May 2026
