The Visualista Film Festival is organised by the International Visual Sociology Association, and is usually held during our annual conference which moves to a different international venue each year. The festival consists of live screenings and installations in front of live audiences, alongside an online screening programme that runs concurrently with the conference.

We invite films and film-based artefacts that explore aspects of visual sociology, from visual dimensions and documentation of social life to the way people perform creative visualisation processes. Filmmakers must demonstrate clear theoretical underpinnings and context to their filmic work.

We will accept films of any length and treatment, as well as non-linear film-based artefacts and interactive formats. Film artefacts that focus on process rather than product will also be considered. We value diversity in all is forms and welcome submissions from around the world. Films made in local languages must carry English sub-titles.

VISUALISTA FILM FESTIVAL 2025 - within the IVSA Annual Conference:
Venue - Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea
Date - June 25-28, 2025

Awards & Prizes

Every year, a bespoke piece of ethnic art will be created by an artisan within the country where the festival is located. The Visualista Film Festival committee will award this to the submission they feel most deserving.

Rules & Terms

How To Submit
All non-English language films must include English sub-titles.
All submissions must be made through our FilmFreeway Visualista Film Festival listing. Please ensure you submit this information on the submission page:
1. What does your film artefact investigate?
2. Why was film or filmmaking your most appropriate method or methodology?
3. What social significance does your film artefact have?
(Maximum 150 words total)

Successful Submissions
Following our selection process, successful filmmakers will be contacted by email, with two options:
• Annual Conference Attendance: where filmmakers attend in person to make a presentation about their filmic work, with inclusion of their film in the festival online screening programme. Full Conference Fee of $190/$100 is payable. IVSA membership is required.
• Online Screening Programme: where films are included in our festival online screenings. Online Festival Fee of $50 is payable.

The festival committee will select films for screening to a live audience in the conference programme, and priority will be given to filmmakers who attend in person. Selected filmmakers may apply to the International Visual Sociology Association for a travel bursary.