2023 Light Matter Experimental Film and Media Arts Festival
November 1-3, 2024

Entries Due: September 8

The fourth annual Light Matter Festival will be held in person in Alfred, NY over the weekend of November 1-3.

Light Matter is an annual festival dedicated to the artists' moving image, seeking to bring together works of experimental film, video art, and the media arts. Conventional films need not apply. Preference will be given to shorts, but features will be considered.

Light Matter will present approximately four to six programs. Screenings will take place in Holmes Auditorium on the campus of Alfred University. Suitable works will also be selected for an exhibition in the TS1 / Harland Snodgrass Gallery and/or Immersive Gallery, which features a range of possibilities for multi-channel work. Gallery selection is dependent upon availability of the spaces.

Light Matter is curated by James Hansen.

Rules & Terms

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND
We are an experimental film and media art festival, showcasing the work of experimental film, video, and media artists. Conventional narrative films do not qualify for consideration.

Years
Work must have be from the last five years (2019-24). Exceptions may be made for special/retrospective programming.

Entries
Maximum three (3) entries per artist.

Preview Screeners
Entries should be submitted via FilmFreeway with access to online streaming with password-protected link (if necessary)

Exhibition Formats
All selected works will be screened via Digital File (h264 or ProRes preferred). We will attempt to include analog film (16mm) as a screening option, but artists will be responsible for shipping costs.

Authorization
By entering the festival, the entrant authorizes a public screening of the work and agrees to provide an exhibition copy for the period of the festival. If selected, the entrant will be requested to submit images for press use.

Traveling Programs
All selected work will be considered for additional traveling programs. Artists have the right to decline participation in additional programs. Participation in additional programs has no bearing on the initial selection process.

Notification
All entries will be notified of their selection status in early October.

Contact
For more information, contact James at lightmatterfilmfestval@gmail.com

6 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Abinadi Meza

    Wonderful festival! Excellent programming and communications. I love how they program historical avant-garde work alongside contemporary work.

    February 2024
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  • Oakley Mertes

    Thank you for selecting my film for 2023's Light Matter Film Festival! I received clear communication throughout the entire process of selection and submitting everything to James. This is only the second festival I've been a part of, and even though I couldn't go in person, I felt like I had a strong sense of community through all of my interactions with James/other filmmakers.

    November 2023
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  • Linnea Nugent

    Thrilled to have participated twice in this festival over its three years. Curation by James was perfect and although small, there was such an intense sense of dedication for the work by the filmmaker-filled audience. Looking forward to another year of Light Matter!

    November 2023
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  • JUSTIN RHODY

    Very happy to have had work screened with this great festival during their first two years. Excellent communication, amazing programming and a unique voice in the realm of experimental festivals. Looking forward to the possibility of attending in person.

    November 2022
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  • Stephen Wardell

    Amazing programs and installations. This is a festival I recommend visiting in person if you can swing it. James and Eric were excellent hosts and I met a lot of great people who love experimental film. The best festival I've been to in a long time.

    November 2022
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