Sjón is an annual festival for anthropological audiovisual works. It takes the shape of an anthropological playground consisting of two parts:

1) the screening of works related to the theme: SOLASTALGIA, made by filmmakers with a formal background in Anthropology, Ethnology, Folklore, Social Sciences etc (of any length and at any level), and

2) the accompanying workshops and installation providing an interactive, participatory space for experimentation with form and concepts.

For our fourth edition, the theme will be SOLASTALGIA. Coined by environmental philosopher Glenn Albrecht, “solastalgia is the distress that is produced by environmental change impacting on people while they are directly connected to their home environment.”

We’re looking for anthropological audiovisual work that reflects on the experience of SOLASTALGIA in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:

Who is most affected by environmental change? How do they respond to it? What measures are taken? How do we create meaning in these times of uncertainty and disruption? How do we shift our collective narrative?

We’re especially looking for films that encourage audiences to challenge their understanding of & relationship to their environments.

Besides the screenings, there will be talks, workshops, installations, performances, so make sure to come along!

All anthropologists/social scientists/indigenous filmmakers are invited to submit their audiovisual work to Sjón. The event is organised and curated by an international non-profit collective of visual anthropologists based in Copenhagen. We strive to provide a welcoming, safe, and nurturing space for any practitioners in the field, and our events are always free to attend and open to the public.

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To learn more about our plans for a pandemic-friendly hybrid event, please visit our website: https://bit.ly/2Xbno1m

Sjón is a Non-Competitive Festival.

➤ Films that are neither ethnographic, non-fiction, nor related to this year's theme will not be considered.

➤ For the first time, we are charging a small entry free for submissions to helps us manage the event. SJÓN is a non-profit initiative, funded by local, public grants, and by the passion and free time of its organizers. That said, in order to grow the event and make sure we're able to provide a memorable experience to all attending, we have decided to charge a symbolic submission fee. This is NOT meant to discourage any filmmakers who are simply unable to pay (if that's you and you think you've got a very relevant project, please email us!), but instead to make sure the people who do submit to our event are actually interested in participating.

☉ Submissions
In order to fulfil our mission of bringing anthropological filmmaking to the general public, we prioritise submissions from those who are currently enrolled in an anthropology / ethnology / folklore course or degree program, have a degree in anthropology / ethnology / folklore, and/or have an appointment in an anthropology / ethnology / folklore department.
You may submit more than one film or works in progress. Works that have already been screened elsewhere are welcome.
Relevance to the given anthropological theme SOLASTALGIA will be taken into account when choosing the films.

☉ Length
Submitted work must be max. 60 minutes long, but exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

☉ Subtitles
Films can be submitted in any language, but they MUST have English subtitles (burned into the video-file or as an .srt file created in Subtitle Workshop or other subtitling software). If sending a separate .srt file, we will require it at least 1 month before the screening date.

☉ Submissions format
We do not accept physical submissions, only secure online submissions in high definition. Not only is this a more environmentally friendly method, but it also allows your film to be reviewed by the judging panel as efficiently as possible. We only accept films released after 2010. Films must be submitted in either of the following formats: .mp[e]g / .avi / .vob / .mov / .mp4 / .m4v, as 1080p or the highest quality possible.

☉ Disclaimer and rights
Submission of any entry allows Sjón to have excerpts of accepted work shown in all promotional activities related to the festival.
The festival does not deal with any copyright issues. All copyright issues should be resolved by the film authors. No offensive material and no unauthorised use of copyrighted material.
Filmmakers retain 100% of their rights to their projects and materials that they submit to the Sjón.
Sjón does not pay screening fees to selected filmmakers. Ours is a non-profit, volunteer-run event, so we will only select films that don't require screening fees.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Giulio Gobbetti

    It has been great to share our film with Sjón. The festival had a great selection and the staff was always ready to help. Well done for organising an event under these difficults circumstances - it's a shame we could not come to Copenhagen because of the travel restrictions. Looking forward to the next editions!

    February 2021
  • Sebastian J. Lowe

    Fantastic film festival, great communication! I unfortunately couldn't be there in person, but heard it went very well. Thank you Sjón!

    October 2019
  • João Valentim

    Great festival with a familiar ambient and a cousy aprouch.
    Congratulations!

    August 2019
  • Luciano Giardino

    Nice film festival.
    I like that

    January 2019
  • A small and warm festival, but growing, with excellent quality and a though provoking themed approach. Thanks Sjon

    March 2018