Call for Pitches

In 2026, Talking Shorts will be launching a new annual print publication dedicated to short film and moving image culture. It will serve as a platform for both emerging and established writers to share critical reflections on the art and current state of short film-making, and its industry.

Each publication will be thematised, with the inaugural issue exploring “filmmaking and writing in crisis?”. We are open to receiving pitches that reply to one (or more) of the following questions or prompts. We are looking for writers who have a good understanding of the world of short films, in particular.

• Thoughts on ethics, intent, purpose: reproducing violence and suffering in artistic frameworks.
• With strong roots in militant and activist filmmaking, how can short film, today, be part of a genuine countercultural expression of dissent in an increasingly hostile political climate and conformism of even the most unlikely cultural platforms? What does the circulation of such films at festivals and in institutional spaces tell us about the channels of opposition today and their ‘target audience’?
• The film industry, and the arts world in general, has collectively exploited the term ‘decolonisation’ without any real actions or sustainable changes. How can we overcome the Western and Eurocentric dominance in determining aesthetic and narrative trends?
• Dreams of utopia: can an arts industry really imagine a better world if it won’t even change its own workings? The (short) film industry is still built on underpaid and unsustainable employment practices for its most essential people, i.e., filmmakers, artists, and temporary staff. An equitable film ecosystem also means one free from ‘A-lists’, competitions, and premiere statuses.
• How do short film production, exhibition, and distribution fit into discussions of ecological crises?

Pitching Guidelines

• The proposed pieces can be essays, (reported) features, showcasing in-depth research, and/or (conducted) interviews. We’re also open to other long-form creative writing, but are not looking for first-person accounts. Please note that for interview pitches, you will need to demonstrate the ability to access your proposed interviewee.
• Your pitch should be 250-300 words in length. We are open to receiving a maximum of two pitches per person.
• If it’s the first time we are collaborating, please include bylines and at least one piece of recently published writing that’s relevant to the format you’re proposing.
• We are not looking for academic treatments.
• Please do not submit completed articles; only pitches will be considered.
• We offer a flat fee between 275 EUR and 550 EUR, depending on the length and scope of the research required for the piece. Texts can range from 1500 to 3000 words.
• Please consult our Contributions page, which includes our general Pitching Guidelines, Contributor’s Terms, and Style Guide.

Submit your pitch!

Please submit your pitch(es) before September 8, 2025, 00:01 AM.

If your pitch is successful, you will be notified by September 22nd at the latest and be given 4 weeks to write a first draft of the proposed piece. There will be a minimum of two rounds of editing, done by Talking Shorts’ current editorial team: Sanne Jehoul, Savina Petkova, and Niels Putman.

In rare cases, where articles do not meet the required standard, we reserve the right not to publish your article, and the editors’ decision on this is final.

If you have any questions about submitting your pitch, please contact Niels Putman at niels[at]talkingshorts[dot]com.